PROFILE OF ELIZABETH BALDWIN SCHOOL

Elizabeth Baldwin School is a large, urban, multi-cultural school, many of whom come from low socio-economic backgrounds. Eighty one percent are from minority backgrounds. Forty-four percent of the students are black, and thirty % are Hispanic. These figures do not include many of the large number of Cape Verdean students. Ninety three percent of the students receive free or reduced-price lunch.

The school serves twenty five % of its students with ESL services. These students are serviced in sheltered and regular education settings and through a resource/collaborative model. Additionally 10 1/2 % of Baldwin students receive special education services. Although most are provided services in the general education classroom, 9-11 are serviced in a self-contained classroom.

Many Baldwin students immigrated to Pawtucket and speak a language other than English at home. Many of these students were classified as second language learners at some point during their education at the school who have by now been mainstreamed into general education classrooms or are being monitored by ESL teachers.

There are five kindergarten teachers, five first grade teachers, five second grade teachers, five third grade teachers, four fourth grade teachers, four fifth grade teachers, and four sixth grade teachers. Gr. K-5 have a full sheltered ESL classes this year, with a Gr. 6 inclusion ESL class. During the 2011-2012 school year, the Gr. 6 class will become a full sheltered room. Additionally there are two ESL collaborative/resource teachers. There are seven special education teachers which includes a multi-age self contained special education class teacher. We also have three reading support teachers, three librarians, four art teachers, three music teachers and two physical education teachers. Within each of the special areas of library, art, music, and physical education, there is only one full-time teacher at the school, while the others are part-time teachers. There is also a school nurse teacher. Related service providers at Baldwin, include a part-time occupational therapist, a part-time physical therapist, a part-time adaptive physical education teacher, a full time social worker, a part-time school psychologist and a four day speech and language pathologist. There are also four teacher assistants, a COZ (Child Opportunity Zone) contact for Baldwin, three custodians, and two office secretaries. All positions required are filled by "Highly Qualified" staff.

Baldwin School works with many social and community organizations in an attempt to meet particular needs. One particular organization is COZ, which provides programs both after school and during the summer.

Various events are planned to encourage family involvement at the school. These include First Day, Open House, Success Night, Trimester Award Nights, School Report Night, NECAP Presentation Night, Baldwin PTO Meetings, Parent Series Workshops, Sixth Grade Graduation and DARE Graduation, in addition to events planned by individual classes.

Parents of kindergarten students registered by June of the previous year are invited to a parent orientation before summer where information and materials are given to them in order to prepare their children for kindergarten in September. Baldwin School also provides a transitional three week summer program for students entering kindergarten. On the first day of school, kindergarten parents and students attend an orientation together to meet the teacher and to learn about kindergarten routines and ways that parents can work with the school to help their children be successful. The following two days are used for educational screening of students before their official first day of school.