Welcome to Southwood Elementary School

Principal's Message

Welcome to Southwood Elementary, where students come first! Southwood Elementary is a unique state-recognized public school serving all students in a variety of ways in the Enumclaw School District. The leadership and staff at Southwood are a group of forward thinking, dedicated professionals who have historically and consistently sought new and better research-based ways to reach every student to realize their full potential. Southwood recently completed its first year successfully as a K-5 school. In addition to the students within its own attendance area, Southwood houses the following district programs: Developmental Preschool, ECEAP, Individual Achievement, Self Contained and Pullout, for students who qualify, and the Magic Strings choice program. We have a total of 350 students, not including preschool and ECEAP.

Southwood programs available to all students include an emphasis on arts education in many classrooms. A little over a year ago, several Southwood teachers received an Arts Impact grant from OSPI and the Enumclaw Arts Commission to fund this work. We also provide a strong music education component through Magic Strings, a self contained choice program originally funded through a VH1 Save the Music Foundation grant. Our strategic plan includes integrating visual, dramatic, and kinesthetic arts throughout the curriculum over the next five years. The Southwood strategic plan builds upon the considerable research that endorses arts education and the visual elements of instruction for all students.

As a staff, we meet weekly in collaborative groups to address student learning, adult learning, and plan strategies to meet student academic and social needs. We work continuously to improve instruction, school climate, and supplemental services to students using our half and full day teacher inservice days. Our philosophy is that each child benefits most from a strong classroom teacher who has a variety of instructional strategies at his or her disposal to meet individual student needs. If students need extra help, we attempt to provide that outside of the instructional day as much as possible. Supplemental services to students are supported through Federal Special Education funding and a Federal Title I grant. Teaching staff also offer individual and small group tutoring whenever possible.

Southwood benefits from a full-time counselor who spends time with each classroom on a weekly basis, teaching social skills and topics from the Washington State counseling framework. With parent permission, she also meets with small groups of students around topics such as family changes or friendship skills.

In addition to a strong focus on literacy, math, science and social studies, our students participate in twice weekly music and physical education classes. Other opportunities for students include Running Club at noon recess, after-school drama club, and after-school sports sponsored by Enumclaw Parks and Recreation. The Title VII Indian Education Grant funds cultural opportunities for our Native American students.

 

Mission Statement

Southwood is a community of students staff and parents committed to academic excellence and personal growth. Our school provides individualized challenges, promotes positive esteem of self and others, and develops self-discipline in a nurturing environment.

 

 

 

Southwood Elementary PTA 2007-2008 Officers
Co-President	Ana-Cajsa Gipson	360.802.0137
Co-President	Bethanie Roddy
Co-Vice President	Diahn Boline
Co-Vice President	Jodi Emerson
Treasurer	Brenda Rutt
Secretary	Nikki Lindberg

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2929 McDougall Avenue, Enumclaw, Washington 98022    Phone: 360.802.7100