Historical February 1980 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
In accordance with the Management Objectives plan of the St. Louis Public Schools, the Hamilton School has taken several steps to improve the performance of its students. After a review of staff performance and student academic achievement, a number of recommendations were made in order to meet the goals of realizing student potential and increasing parental and community involvement. Quarterly reports are to be made to determine what changes are needed to reach the desired goals.
One of the major concerns behind these proposals is the decline in enrollment at Hamilton over the past ten years. In 1970 approximately 950 students attended the school; as of the beginning of 1980, 331 students were enrolled at Hamilton. The decrease has been attributed to a number or factors, including the redevelopment activities in the school’s attendance area, families moving to county areas, and dissatisfaction with public education on the part of some families. The school’s efforts to improve the quality of education offered is aimed not only at the present students but also at families not now using the public school system. Since the school is designed to hold approximately 600 students, there is currently enough space to house additional programs.
The Verbal Skills Center, designed to provide comprehensive instruction in all reading skills with the aid of positive reinforcement, is one such program. Onehundred-seventy students from Grades 4–8 participate in the program, each working at his/her own pace on individually assigned lessons. The main innovation of the Center is the individual booths where students listen to lessons on cassette tapes: in addition, students use special “Write & See” markers which indicate to the student immediately after he/she writes an answer whether that answer is correct or not.
Another program based on individual attention to improve skills is the Math Improvement Team. Teaching efforts are supplemented by flashcards, filmstrips, electric boards and games. About 70 students take part in the program and, according to reports. most seem to be doing good work and enjoying mastering the skills which they previously could not grasp.
Several other programs are offered by the school, including the Slow Learner Program, for pupils who have a limited capacity for learning the regularly paced instructional program; the Learning Disabilities Program. set up to help students of average or better intelligence who are not performing at a level that matches their intelligence; and the Kindergarten Extended Day Program a full-day kindergarten stressing language and number concepts. and personal social growth.
All of the above mentioned programs are provided through Title I. A major factor in the setting-up of these programs has been parental involvement. Under the leadership of Robert Lloyd. head of the Parent-Teacher Organization. and Faree Abdullah, chairperson of the Title I Parent Advisory Council. a solid nucleus of parents has kept an active watch on the school policies and programs. The Advisory Council will become part of the committee which selects Title I programs for each successive school year. Additional support and involvement by more parents is always welcomed and needed. Interested persons should contact Mr. Lloyd and Ms. Abdullah through the Hamilton School, located at 5819 Westminister; phone 367-0552.
Original photograph caption
Mrs. Ware and children. The Paper, February 1980, page 8. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, February 1980.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1980_02.pdf, printed page(s) 8; PDF page(s) 8.
