Yerba Buena Elementary School 1

Transcription

1 Las Virgenes Unified Yerba Buena Elementary YB BEAT - Bridging Educating, Arts, and Technology Accountability Report Card 6098 Reyes Adobe Rd. Agoura Hills, CA (818) (818) Fax Serving Grades Kindergarten through Five Principal Christina Desiderio Administration Dr. Dan Stepenosky Superintendent Mary Schillinger Asst. Superintendent of Education Dr. Rose Dunn Asst. Superintendent of Personnel Karen Kimmel Asst. Superintendent of Business Evan Bartelheim Director of Instruction Phil Scrivano Chief Instructional Technology Officer Robbie Amodio Director of Classified Personnel Board of Education Lesli Stein President Dave Moorman Vice President Gordon Whitehead Clerk Jill Gaines Member Cindy Iser Member Principal s Message The Accountability Report Card was established as one provision of Proposition 98, an initiative passed by California voters in November, The Report Card, to be issued annually by local school boards for each elementary and secondary school in the state, provides for parents and other interested people a variety of information about the school, its resources, its successes and areas in which improvements are needed. We believe that our public schools exist to provide an effective educational program and to offer all students opportunities to develop their capabilities to the maximum of their potential so that they may act constructively as contributing citizens in our changing society. At Yerba Buena Elementary, we provide students opportunities to develop their potential intellectually, socially and emotionally. As you read this Report Card for Yerba Buena Elementary we believe you will find that what emerges is a picture of a school with a strong academic foundation, a parent community that is interested and actively involved, a faculty professionally skilled and personally committed to meeting the needs of students and a student body motivated to perform well. Arts and Technology Infused Mission The Yerba Buena Elementary community believes that children deserve a safe, stimulating, enriched learning environment in which every child thrives. Our focus is academic rigor and excellence within the research-supported framework of arts and technology integration, strong teacher collaboration, high expectations of achievement in core content areas, and community involvement. The Yerba Buena staff is dedicated to providing a rich educational experience that challenges all students to develop meaningful academic and social skills and provides opportunities to develop an awareness of their innate artistic and creative abilities through our arts and technology focus. Our goal is for all students to become motivated and responsible learners, resourceful problem solvers, and respectful partners and collaborators with their peers while being challenged to achieve in the core basics of reading, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking, computing and reasoning. Our plan will ensure the arts and technology are an integral, interdisciplinary, sequential part of every student s academic experience to foster inspiration, creativity, and provide a foundational grasp of relevant technologies. This is especially important as students prepare to enter the s arts-rich middle school and high school programs and to prepare them for the growing creative economy of our region. In the integration of arts and technology we see the merger of creativity and productivity that strengthens the core curriculum and the student as a learner. Community & Profile Las Virgenes Unified educates nearly 12,000 pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade students on a traditional calendar schedule. Serving students from Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Hidden Hills, and Westlake Village, the district is currently comprised of two comprehensive high schools, one continuation high school, three middle schools, eight elementary schools, one preschool, an alternative learning center, and a home schooling program. Yerba Buena Elementary is located in the northern section of Agoura Hills. In the school year, the school served 432 students in grades kindergarten through five. Yerba Buena Elementary is dedicated to ensuring the academic success of all students, and provides the most comprehensive educational experience possible. All programs at the school are founded on the principle that students come first. Yerba Buena Elementary 1

2 The chart displays student enrollment at the school broken down by ethnicity. Discipline & Climate for Learning The goal of Yerba Buena Elementary s discipline program, built around a model of progressive discipline, is to provide students with opportunities to learn self-discipline through a system of consistent rewards and consequences for their behavior. Yerba Buena Elementary believes students who develop a sense of personal responsibility will mature both academically and emotionally. The school utilizes the CHAMPS and Second Step programs to teach character education and prevent violence on campus. Parents and students are informed of discipline policies at the beginning of each school year through the Directory/Handbook and classroom postings. Rules are reinforced at assemblies and within the school newsletter. Each infraction of the conduct code is reported to parents. who exemplify good behavior standards are rewarded during Friday Spirit Rallies. The suspensions and expulsions table illustrates total cases for the school and district for all grade levels, as well as the percentage of total enrollment. Suspensions are expressed in terms of total infractions, not total number of students, as some students may have been suspended on several occasions. Expulsions occur only when required by law or when all other alternatives are exhausted. Student Recognition wide and classroom incentives promote positive attitudes, encourage achievement, and aid in the prevention of behavioral problems. The following recognition programs are ongoing at the school: Student Council Rewards Assembly Certificates Caught Being Good Awards Bobcat Pawprints Bobcat Club (Grades 4-5) Special Recognition Pencils Extracurricular & Enrichment Activities are encouraged to participate in academic and extracurricular activities, which are an integral part of the school environment. Opportunities for involvement include: Reading Academy Bobcat Band Student Enrollment by Ethnic Group Percentage African American 1.4% American Indian 0.5% Asian 9.0% Filipino 1.2% Hispanic or Latino 7.9% White 76.6% Two or More 3.5% Suspensions & Expulsions Suspensions Suspension Rate 0.7% 1.0% 0.0% 2.5% 3.4% 3.5% Expulsions Expulsion Rate 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.2% 0.1% 0.4% Reading Counts Enrichment Program The school s Enrichment Program, held Monday through Friday, offers all students an opportunity to diversify their education by studying the following disciplines: Chorus Dance Science Woodshop Attendance Art & Music Drama Sports districts receive financial support from the state for the education of the students they serve based on how many students attend each day. Most importantly, attendance is critical to academic achievement and regular daily attendance is a priority at the school. Student attendance is carefully monitored to identify those students exhibiting excessive absences. The office staff makes daily phone calls to parents when children are absent. Attendance, tardy, and truancy policies are clearly stated, consistently enforced, and consequences are fairly administered. In the event of habitual truancy, students may be referred to the district s Attendance Review Board (SARB). The SARB is utilized when students have persistent attendance and behavior problems in school, and when the normal avenues of classroom, school, and district counseling are not effective. Professional Development Staff members build teaching skills and concepts through participation in conferences and workshops throughout the year. The district sponsors three staff development days annually where teachers are offered a broad-based variety of professional growth opportunities in curriculum, teaching strategies, and methodologies. Teacher Assignment Las Virgenes Unified recruits and employs only the most qualified credentialed teachers who meet all credential requirements in accordance with the State of California guidelines. Teacher Credential Status Fully Credentialed Without Full Credentials Working Outside Subject Teacher misassignments reflect the number of placements within a school for which the certificated employee in the teaching or services position (including positions that involve teaching EL students) does not hold a legally recognized certificate or credential. Note: Misassignments refers to the number of positions filled by teachers who lack legal authorization to teach that grade level, subject area, student group, etc. Teacher vacancies reflect the number of positions to which a single designated certificated employee has not been assigned at the beginning of the year for an entire year. Misassignments of Teachers of English Learners Misassignments/Vacancies Misassignments of Teachers (other) Total Misassignments of Teachers Vacant Teacher Positions Yerba Buena Elementary 2

3 Highly Qualified Teachers ( Year ) The Federal No Child Left Behind Act requires that all teachers in core subject areas meet certain requirements in order to be considered as Highly Qualified. Minimum qualifications include: Possession of a Bachelor s Degree Possession of an appropriate California teaching credential Demonstrated competence in core academic subjects. For more information, see the CDE Improving Teacher and Principal Quality Web page at: Note: High-poverty schools have student eligibility of approximately 40 percent or more in the free and reduced price meals program. Lowpoverty schools have student eligibility of approximately 25 percent or less. NCLB Compliant Teachers % of Core Academic Courses Taught By NCLB Compliant Teachers % of Core Academic Courses Taught By Non-NCLB Compliant Teachers 100.0% 0.0% 97.5% 2.5% High-Poverty s in N/A N/A Low-Poverty s in 97.5% 2.5% Counseling & Support Staff ( Year ) In addition to academics, the staff strives to assist students in their social and personal development. Staff members are trained to recognize at-risk behavior in all students. The school values the importance of on-site counseling and has procedures in place to ensure that students receive the services they need. The support staff is devoted to helping students deal with problems and assisting them to reach positive goals. The school does not have an academic counselor. The chart displays a list of support services that are offered to students. Counseling & Support Services Staff Number of Staff Full Time Equivalent Adaptive PE Specialist 1 As Needed Health Clerk Occupational Therapist 1 As Needed Psychologist Resource Specialist Program (RSP) Teacher Special Day Class (SDC) Teacher Speech and Language Specialist The district uses all available resources in the community to assist students in their emotional and academic development including County Mental Health and Child Protective Services. The school partners with Agoura High for Project Socrates. Through this program, high school students assist as Teachers Aides in Yerba Buena classrooms. English Learner (EL) students receive specialized services and instruction from appropriately credentialed teachers. The school offers supplementary instruction to assist in English language acquisition. Yerba Buena Elementary offers assistance and specialized instruction to students who are performing below grade-level standards. In addition to tutorials, the school s at-risk program provides targets students in grades three through five. Peer tutoring, adult volunteer tutoring, and Project Socrates are among the intervention services offered. with special education needs are accommodated with a variety of options and in the least restrictive environment possible. The Student Study Team (SST) develops an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for any student with emotional, social, and/or developmental disabilities. The IEP defines the individualized instruction a special needs student will receive, which may include placement in a Special Day Class and/or sessions with the Resource and Speech/Language Specialists. The Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program is offered to students in grades five who have been recognized by their teachers as capable of attaining high levels of achievement. Potential GATE students are clustered within their regular classrooms and offered differentiated instruction. Class Size The Class Size Distribution table illustrates the average class size by grade. The corresponding numbers show how many classes were taught with a certain number of students in each class, based on three different class sizes. Data Sources Average Class Size Class Size Distribution 1-20 Data within the SARC was provided by Las Virgenes Unified, retrieved from the SARC template, located on Dataquest ( and/or Ed-Data website. Dataquest is a search engine, maintained by the California Department of Education (CDE), which allows the public to search for facts and figures pertaining to schools and districts throughout the state. Among the data available, parents and community may find information about school performance, test scores, student demographics, staffing, and student misconduct/intervention. Ed-Data is a partnership of the CDE, EdSource, and the Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team (FCMAT) that provides extensive financial, demographic, and performance information about California s public kindergarten through grade twelve school districts and schools. Student Achievement & Testing Classrooms Containing: By Grade Level K K Las Virgenes Unified has developed a comprehensive assessment and accountability plan to ensure that information regarding student performance is used to continuously improve the instructional program and to communicate with parents about their child s achievement. In addition to the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program, district- and site-developed assessments, the California English Language Development Test (CELDT), and report card grades are used to determine whether students are performing below, at, or above grade-level standards. Yerba Buena Elementary 3

4 Academic Performance Index The Academic Performance Index (API) is an annual measure of the academic performance and progress of schools in California. API scores range from 200 to 1,000, with a statewide target of 800. Statewide and similar schools API ranks are published when the Base API is released each March. The statewide API rank ranges from 1 to 10. A statewide rank of 1 means that the school has an API score in the lowest 10 percent of all schools in the state, while a statewide rank of 10 means that the school has an API score in the highest 10 percent of all schools in the state. The similar schools API rank reflects how a school compares to 100 statistically matched similar schools. A similar schools rank of 1 means that the school s academic performance is comparable to the lowest performing 10 schools of the 100 similar schools, while a similar schools rank of 10 means that the school s academic performance is better than at least 90 of the 100 similar schools. The first table displays the school s statewide and similar schools API ranks and actual API point changes by student group for the past three years.the second table displays, by student group, the 2012 Growth API at the school, district, and state level. API Results Statewide Similar s Group All at the Actual API Change White Actual API Change Growth API Comparison Number of State Growth Score Number of Growth Score Number of Growth Score All at the , ,664, Asian , Hispanic or Latino ,425, White , ,221, Two or More Races , Socioeconomically Disadvantaged ,779, English Learners ,530, with Disabilities , , Adequate Yearly Progress ( Year ) No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is a federal law enacted in January 2002 that reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). It mandates that all students (including students who are economically disadvantaged, are from racial or ethnic minority groups, have disabilities, or have limited English proficiency) in all grades meet the state academic achievement standards for Mathematics and English/Language Arts by s must demonstrate Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) toward achieving that goal. The Federal NCLB Act requires that all schools and districts meet the following Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements: Participation rate on the state s standards-based assessments in English/Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Percent proficient on the state s standards-based assessments in ELA and Mathematics. API as an additional indicator. Graduation rate (for secondary schools). There are several consequences for schools that do not meet the AYP standards, including additional tutoring and replacing of staff. would also be allowed to transfer to schools (within their district) that have met their AYP s, and the former school would be required to provide the transportation to the new site. Results of school and district performance are displayed in the chart. Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Made AYP Overall Yes No Met AYP Criteria English - Language Arts Mathematics English - Language Arts Mathematics Participation Rate Yes Yes Yes Yes Percent Proficient Yes Yes No No API Results Yes Yes Graduation Rate N/A No Yerba Buena Elementary 4

5 Federal Intervention Program ( Year ) s and districts receiving Federal Title I funding enter Program Improvement (PI) if they do not make AYP for two consecutive years in the same content area (English/Language Arts or Mathematics) or on the same indicator (API or graduation rate). After entering PI, schools and districts advance to the next level of intervention with each additional year that they do not make AYP. For detailed information about PI identification, see the CDE PI Status Determinations Web page: asp. California Standards Test The California Standards Test (CST), a component of the STAR Program, is administered to all students in the spring to assess student performance in relation to the State Content Standards. Student scores are reported as performance levels: Advanced (exceeds state standards), Proficient (meets standards), Basic (approaching standards), Below Basic (below standards), and Far Below Basic (well below standards). The first table displays the percent of students achieving at the Proficient or Advanced level (meeting or exceeding the state standards) in English/ Language Arts, Mathematics, Social Science, and Science, for the most recent three-year period. The second table displays the percent of students, by group, achieving at the Proficient or Advanced level (meeting or exceeding the state standards) for the most recent testing period. For detailed information regarding the STAR Program results for each grade and performance level, including the percent of students not tested, see the CDE STAR Results Web site at California Standards Test (CST) Federal Intervention Programs Program Improvement (PI) Status Not in PI In PI First Year in PI Year in PI ( ) - Year 1 # of s Currently in PI - 1 % of s Identified for PI % Subject State English/Language Arts Mathematics Science History/Social Science Subject California Standards Test (CST) English/ Language Arts Subgroups Mathematics Science History/ Social Science Asian * Hispanic or Latino * White Males Females Socioeconomically Disadvantaged * English Learners * with Disabilities *Scores are not disclosed when fewer than 10 students are tested in a grade level and/or subgroup. California Modified Assessment (CMA) The California Modified Assessment (CMA) is an alternate assessment (a STAR Program component) that is based on modified achievement standards in ELA for grades three through eleven; Mathematics for grades three through seven, Algebra I, and Geometry; and Science in grades five and eight, and Life Science in grade ten. The CMA is designed to assess those students whose disabilities preclude them from achieving grade-level proficiency on an assessment of the California content standards with or without accommodations. California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA), a component of the STAR Program, includes ELA and Mathematics in grades two through eleven, and Science for grades five, eight, and ten. The CAPA is given to those students with significant cognitive disabilities whose disabilities prevent them from taking either the CSTs with accommodations or modifications or the CMA with accommodations. Yerba Buena Elementary 5

6 Physical Fitness ( Year ) In the spring of each year, Yerba Buena Elementary is required by the state to administer a physical fitness test to all students in the fifth grade. The physical fitness test is a standardized evaluation that measures each student s ability to perform fitness tasks in six major areas. This table displays by grade level the percent of students meeting fitness standards (scoring in the healthy fitness zone on all six fitness standards) for the most recent testing period. Detailed information regarding this test may be found at the CDE Web site at Percentage of in Healthy Fitness Zone Grade Level Four of Six Standards Five of Six Standards Six of Six Standards % 10.8% 52.3% Textbooks & Instructional Materials ( Year ) Las Virgenes Unified sets a high priority upon ensuring that sufficient and current textbooks and materials are available to support instructional programs. The district held a Public Hearing on September 11, 2012, and determined that each school within the district has sufficient and good quality textbooks, instructional materials, or science lab equipment, pursuant to the settlement of Williams vs. the State of California. All students, including English Learners, are given their own individual standards-aligned textbooks or instructional materials, or both, in core subjects, Visual and Performing Arts, Health, and Foreign Language for use in the classroom and to take home. All textbooks and instructional materials used within the district are aligned with the California State Content Standards and Frameworks and have been approved by the Board of Education. Textbooks and supplementary materials are adopted according to a cycle developed by the California Department of Education, making the textbooks used in the school the most current available. The table displays information collected in September 2012 about the quality, currency, and availability of the standards-aligned textbooks and other instructional materials used at the school. Grade Levels K-5 K-5 3rd-5th Subject English/ Language Arts English/ Language Arts Mathematics K-2 Mathematics K-5 Science K-5 Science K-5 Science K-5 Social Science/ History -Adopted Textbooks Publisher Houghton Mifflin Adoption Year Sufficient % Lacking 2003 Yes 0.0% Sopris West 2005 Yes 0.0% Harcourt Brace Harcourt Brace Harcourt Publishers Houghton Mifflin MacMillan/ McGraw Hill Houghton Mifflin 2002 Yes 0.0% 2009 Yes 0.0% 2007 Yes 0.0% 2007 Yes 0.0% 2007 Yes 0.0% 2006 Yes 0.0% Curriculum Improvement Las Virgenes Unified s emphasis is on a well-balanced and rigorous core curriculum at all grade levels. Instructional programs are aligned with state and district standards. The district structures its educational program so that all students receive instruction appropriate to their learning level. To ensure the success of every student, teachers use a variety of instructional techniques and supplemental instructional materials and programs. Library Information The school s library, staffed by a part-time Library Clerk, is stocked with more than 14,000 books that are available for students to check out. The school s library also contains a collection of video- and audio-tapes that tie into curricular areas of study. visit the library on a weekly basis with their classrooms. Ten computer workstations within the library are connected to the Internet so students may access resources and information online. Computer Resources Computer skills and concepts integrated throughout standard curriculum prepare students for technological growth and opportunities. Each classroom contains a minimum of two computers for student use. In addition, the school s computer lab contains 35 Internet-accessible workstations. receive computer-assisted instruction use on a weekly basis. Software includes programs to develop keyboarding, data entry, spreadsheet, and word processing skills. Additional technology resources available to teachers and students at Yerba Buena Elementary include ipads and an ipad cart, AlphaSmarts, TV/VCR/DVD presentation systems, digital and video cameras, projectors, and stereos. Yerba Buena Elementary 6

7 Additional Internet Access/Public Libraries For additional research materials and Internet availability, students are encouraged to visit the public libraries located in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills, and Westlake Village which contain numerous computer workstations. Facilities Originally constructed between 2005 and 2007, Yerba Buena Elementary s brand new campus consists of 18 classrooms, six pre-school classrooms, three special education classrooms, a library, a multi-purpose room, teacher prep areas and shared offices, a staff lounge, one computer lab, a cafeteria, an athletic field, and one playground. The chart displays the results of the most recent school facilities inspection. Cleaning Process The school provides a safe and clean environment for students, staff, and volunteers. The district governing board has adopted cleaning standards for all schools in the district. Basic cleaning operations are performed on a daily basis throughout the school year with emphasis on classrooms and restrooms. A joint effort between students and staff helps keep the campus clean and litter-free. The principal works daily with the custodial staff to develop sanitation schedules that ensure a clean, safe, and functional learning environment. Maintenance & Repair A scheduled maintenance program is administered by the school s custodial staff on a regular basis, with heavy maintenance functions occurring during vacation periods. Additionally, a scheduled maintenance program is administered by Las Virgenes Unified to ensure that school grounds and facilities remain in excellent repair. A work order process is used when issues arise that require immediate attention. Emergency repairs are given the highest priority; repair requests are completed efficiently and in the order in which they are received. Deferred Maintenance Budget The district participates in the State Deferred Maintenance Program, which provides state matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis, to assist school districts with expenditures for major repair or replacement of existing school building components. Typically, this includes roofing, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, electrical systems, interior or exterior painting, and floor systems. For the school year, the district budgeted $450,000 for the deferred maintenance program. This represents 0.5% of the district s general fund budget. Deferred Maintenance Projects The district s governing board has approved deferred maintenance projects for this school that include fire sprinkler testing and repairs and fire retardant stage curtains. Safety Items Inspected Systems (Gas Leaks, Mech/ HVAC, Sewer) Facility Conditions Date of Last Inspection: 12/05/2012 Overall Summary of Facility Conditions: Exemplary Interior Cleanliness (Overall Cleanliness, Pest/Vermin Infestation) Electrical Restrooms/Fountains Safety (Fire Safety, Hazardous Materials) Structural (Structural Damage, Roofs) External (Grounds, Windows, Doors, Gates, Fences) Facility Component System Status Good Fair Poor Deficiency & Remedial Actions Taken or Planned The safety of students and staff is a primary concern of Yerba Buena Elementary. All guests to the campus must sign in at the office and wear a visitor s badge at all times. Supervision of students is provided before, during, and after school. Supervision is a responsibility shared among teachers and school administrators.to safeguard the well-being of students and staff, a comprehensive Site Safety Plan has been developed. The plan was last updated and reviewed with school staff in September Any revisions made to the plan are reviewed immediately with the staff. Key elements of the Safety Plan focus on the following: Current status of school crime Child abuse reporting procedures Disaster procedures, routine, and emergency Policies related to suspension and expulsion Notification to teachers Sexual harassment policy Provision of a school-wide dress code rules and procedures Safe ingress and egress of pupils, parents, and school employees, safe and orderly school environment Yerba Buena Elementary 7

8 Expenditures (Fiscal Year ) At the time this report was published, the most recent financial and salary comparison data from the State of California was for the school year. The Expenditures Per Pupil table provides a comparison of a school s per pupil funding from unrestricted sources with other schools in the district and throughout the state. Supplemental/Restricted expenditures come from money whose use is controlled by law or donor. Money designated for specific purposes by the district or governing board is not considered restricted. Basic/ Unrestricted expenditures, except for general guidelines, are not controlled by law or donor. For detailed information on school expenditures for all districts in California, see the CDE Current Expense of Education & Per-pupil Spending Web page at For information on teacher salaries for all districts in California, see the CDE Certificated Salaries & Benefits Web page at To look up expenditures and salaries for a specific school district, see the Ed-Data Web site at: Expenditures per Pupil Total Expenditures Per Pupil $7,481 From Supplemental/Restricted Sources $2,960 From Basic/Unrestricted Sources $4,522 From Basic/Unrestricted Sources $4,522 Percentage of Variation between & 0.0% State From Basic/Unrestricted Sources $5,455 Percentage of Variation between & State % Teacher & Administrative Salaries (Fiscal Year ) This table displays district salaries for teachers, principals, and superintendents, and compares these figures to the state averages for districts of the same type and size. The table also displays teacher and administrative salaries as a percent of the district s budget, and compares these figures to the state averages for districts of the same type and size. Detailed information regarding salaries may be found at the CDE Website. Average Salary Information Teachers - Principal - Superintendent State Beginning Teachers $40,055 $40,932 Mid-Range Teachers $66,104 $65,424 Highest Teachers $84,177 $84,596 Elementary Principals $105,704 $106,806 Middle Principals $114,854 $111,776 High Principals $124,533 $120,858 Superintendent $195,520 $204,089 Salaries as a Percentage of Total Budget Teacher Salaries 42.0% 39.4% Administrative Salaries 4.4% 5.0% Site Teacher Salaries ( Year ) The Average Teacher Salaries table illustrates the average teacher salary at the school and compares it to the average teacher salary at the district and state. Revenue Sources (Fiscal Year ) In addition to general state funding, Las Virgenes Unified received state and federal categorical funding for the following support programs: Class Size Reduction Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Funds Economic Impact Aid (EIA) Educational Technology Assistance Grants Gifted & Talented Pupils Home-to- Transportation Peer Assistance & Review Regional Occupational Program Improvement Program (SIP) Special Education Special Education Transportation Staff Development Title I Vocational & Applied Technology Education Act Leadership Leadership at Yerba Buena Elementary is a responsibility shared among administration, the principal, instructional staff, support staff, students, and parents. Principal Christina Desiderio has led the school for four years. Staff members are encouraged to participate on various committees that make decisions regarding the priorities and direction of the educational plan. These committees ensure that instructional programs are consistent with students needs and comply with district goals. Avenues of opportunity include: Arts & Technology Committee Leadership Team Safety Committee Staff Development Committee Parent & Community Involvement Curriculum Committee Parent Faculty Association Site Council Student Activities Committee Parents and the community are very supportive of the educational program at Yerba Buena Elementary. Parents are encouraged to volunteer in the classroom and at school events. Other involvement opportunities include: Fundraising/Grant Writing, Site Council, room parent, Art Docent Program, and Parent-Faculty Association (PFA). Numerous programs and activities are enriched by generous contributions from the PFA, local businesses, and service organizations. Contact Information Average Teacher Salaries & $63,527 $68,174 Percentage of Variation -6.82% & State All Unified s $68,488 Percentage of Variation -7.25% Parents who wish to participate in the school s leadership teams, committees, activities, or become volunteers may contact the office at (818) , or visit the district s website at Yerba Buena Elementary 8