Principal's Welcome
Welcome to the website for Anna McDonald 3rd – 5th Grade Elementary School “Where We Succeed Together!”
Anna McDonald School serves the educational needs of students in 3rd through 5th grade. As a learning community, we are committed to providing our students with a well rounded educational program. With the support of our families, friends, and the community of Manhattan, our children receive a quality education in a learning environment that is both enriched and nurturing. As a growing school community, we welcome all students and families to the 2008-09 school year.
Our instructional goals this year are to continue the rich tradition of academic excellence and increase student success and achievement in literacy, math, and writing. In the area of literacy, students will receive instruction using our brand new reading series, Harcourt STORYTOWN, and other various reading materials. Guided Reading instructional methodologies will be implemented at all grade levels to promote student success. This year is especially important for Anna McDonald School as it marks the first full year all classrooms instruct reading in small group homeroom settings. Thank you to our Education Foundation for sponsoring our guided reading training in October 2007 and our Board of Education for the approved reading series.
Third through fifth grades will continue to use the Houghton-Mifflin math series. Teaching, reviewing, assessing, re-teaching and enrichment are important parts of our math instructional delivery. I thank our K-8 math committee for meeting over summer to tweak our curriculum maps for the district. Enhancing how and what we introduce is of utmost importance and the great work of our committee ensures State Standard alignment and appropriate content exposure for your child.
I am also excited and thankful with the K-8 writing committee summer work. Their hard work ensures continuity district wide. Writing portfolios that will follow the students throughout the district will be a part of the process district wide. Ask your teacher at parent/teacher conferences for details.
Anna McDonald seeks success for each student through instructional excellence, teamwork, and school spirit. We are very proud of the education we provide to our students & families and we are dedicated and committed to excellence. Please e-mail, call, or visit us any time.
Sincerely,
Ryan McWilliams
Principal
rmcwilliams@manhattan114.org
815-478-3310 x 4