ABOUT GRANITE ELEMENTARY
- Currently the school houses approximately 670 students in grades K-6. Granite utilizes a traditional schedule.
- The teacher/pupil ratio is determined by Jordan School District and applies to each elementary in the District. The teacher /pupil ratio for 2002/03 is:
1 to 23--Kindergarten- 1 to 22--First Grade
- 1 to 22-- Second Grade
- 1 to 23--Third Grade
- 1 to 26--Fourth Grade
- 1 to 26--Fifth Grade
- 1 to 26--Sixth Grade
- (Actual class sizes may vary)
- Granite teachers work in teams to develop lesson materials and provide instruction.
- Our curriculum follows state and District guidelines. The basics of reading, language arts and math are stressed. Music, art, PE, social studies, science, technology, and health are also emphasized.
- Special programs have been designed for students with learning disabilities, speech and communication difficulties, and emotional disorders.
- Teachers and students adhere to Jordan District dress code, attendance policies, and discipline standards.
- Granite Elementary has an active PTA and School Community Council.
- Parent volunteers are used in all grades. Thousands of hours are donated each year in the form of direct help to students and teachers.
WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT GRANITE ELEMENTARY?
There are numerous factors that come into play when creating a high-quality learning environment. Listed below are some of the programs and processes that make Granite Elementary a great place to learn.
- STUDENT RECOGNITION
- Once a month there will be a designated day for those students who have a birthday during that month to eat lunch with the Principal. During lunch the students will receive a pencil and treats from the Principal and PTA.
- Students are “Caught Doing Something Good” and given a ticket to come down to the principal’s office. There, they will put their ticket in a drawing and collect a treat. Every Friday, Mrs. Easton will draw approximately thirty names from the bucket and have their names announced during morning announcements.
- Each month we will celebrate one student from every grade who has made academic improvement. This program is entitled Principal Pride Award in Academics. The student’s picture along with two pieces of his/her school work will be displayed in the front hall. The student will receive an award and a prize.
- Academic Honor Roll and Citizenship Honor Roll certificates are given to qualifying students at each Parent Teacher Conference. These outstanding achievers have their names posted publicly.
- The Presidential Academic Fitness Award is earned by an elite group of top academic achievers at Granite Elementary.
- ENRICHMENT OFFERINGS
Almost everyone would agree, the “basics” of education should receive the most emphasis at the elementary level. However, when dealing with large numbers of bright, capable, and eager learners, a variety of enrichment opportunities should be offered. In order to meet the needs of our students, a number of programs have been developed.
- Future Problem Solving - Gifted and Talented, district sponsored. This program offers upper grade students the opportunity to work together in cooperative groups to use creative thinking and problem solving skills in a competitive format.
- Creative Pursuits - Many of our teachers have been trained in the Creative Pursuits process. Teachers have implemented this process in their regular curriculum (particularly in science and social studies).
- School Orchestra - Students from 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades participate in daily instruction before school. Students may choose from violin, viola, cello, or bass instruction.
- School Band - Students from 4th, 5th, and 6th grades participate in daily instruction before or after school. Students may choose from many brass and woodwind instrument instruction.
- School Choir - 4th, 5th and 6th grade students may participate in an early morning practice before school from October through December to present a school program for parents.
- Outdoor Education - With the abundance of natural areas surrounding Granite Elementary, students are involved in outdoor education, hikes to Dimple Dell Regional Park, surveys of area, and reforestation projects are some of the learning experiences students have available.
- Monster Math - This is a math program that teaches students different and effective ways of solving math problems. These strategies are taught and then used by teams of students as they compete against other students in the district.
- Inventor’s Fair - Fifth grade students use their creativity to invent or improve a product used at home or school. Finished products are on display at their annual fair.
- Deseret News Spelling Bee - Top spellers in 5th and 6th grades may participate in the Deseret News Spelling Bee. They are recognized with certificates and prizes at the conclusion of the spring Spelling Bee.
- President’s Physical Fitness Awards - Students in grades 1-6 participate in the President’s Physical Fitness Program. The students are tested at the beginning of the year and practice the required skills and strength tests throughout the year in order to improve their strength, stamina and flexibility. Award certificates and patches are given to students who reach the National and Presidential fitness standards.
- Musical Production - Third grade students perform a unique musical production yearly, written by third grade teachers. It is a highlight of the year for our third grade students.
- Student Council - Student leaders campaign for positions on our Student Council. Students gain valuable leadership and communication skills as they meet to build school pride and serve others. They are also in charge of morning announcements.
- Wax Museum - Third grade students create their own “Wax Museum” by studying the lives of famous Americans and then dressing up as a wax replica of their favorite hero from American history.
- Enrichment – Classes are taught before and after school. Choir, Newspaper, Foreign Languages are among the choices. • Science Lab - The science lab is a collection of hands-on science materials and equipment. A large collection of science materials and supplies commonly used in our units of science study are stored in the science lab.
- Shakespearean Festival - Sixth grade produces a Shakespearean play each year in connection with their study of World (European) History. Students are involved in acting, singing, dancing, and scenery production as well as performing in a “Greenshow.”
- Gifted/Talented Specialist - Granite Elementary feels that all students have varied talents and abilities. The members of our Curriculum Committee feel that all students should be given opportunities to build foundation skills and knowledge while demonstrating special strengths thereby enriching student self-esteem. As a school, we will be involved in school wide enrichment activities enabling each to demonstrate leadership, responsibility, self-control and self-motivation.
- CULTURAL ARTS
Students at Granite Elementary are exposed to a number of art experiences including:
- Traveling Art Exhibits - Over the past few years, several different art exhibits from the Utah Arts Council have hung in the media center at Granite Elementary. One of our teachers, Sarah Jenkins, has developed a learning packet from each exhibit. Students not only browse through the exhibit, they also are instructed in “what to look for” in each piece of art.
- Accelerated Reading Program - K-3 grade students read books selected from a list of books and take a comprehensive test on the computer. Students accumulate points and receive a free book.
- That’s a Fact Jack - This is 4-6 grade students’ “Accelerated Reading Program.” This program tests the same thing as the lower grade program, only with a different format. These programs enable teachers to evaluate whether a student is actually comprehending or just decoding reading materials. Our PTA reading board runs both of these programs.
- Utah Symphony Programs - Our 4th grade students attend a Utah Symphony Concert each year.
- Young Audience Concert Series - Each year a talented musical group presents a program at Granite Elementary. Musicians selected to be part of the Young Audience series are highly skilled
professionals who entertain the students and embed musical concepts into the presentation.
- Artist in Residence Program - These programs are available from specialists in arts to support the arts in our school.
TECHNOLOGY
Granite has a new computer lab. We also have a mobile lab containing lap top computers. Teachers wheel the mobile lab into their rooms so students can work on projects, do research, and a variety of other things on the lap top. All of our classrooms are equipped with at least two computers for students to work on. Some classes have a bank of computers, so students can work from them daily. Kidpix, Hyper Studio, Apple Works, Power Points are some of the programs that are taught and produced. Keyboarding is stressed in all grades, especially in third where Alpha Smarts is available. Students assessments include timed drills, research projects, and student produce Hyper Studio Multimedia presentations. Granite teachers schedule their regular classes into the project center lab to use research skills, language arts, math, science and social studies projects as part of their daily curriculum.
TESTING
Students in grades 3 and 5 take the Stanford Achievement Tests (SAT) in the fall. In the spring, students in grades 1-6 take Criterion Referenced
Tests (CRT) which is the State’s End of Level tests in Reading, Language Arts, Math and Science.
Standardized testing helps schools to identify specific areas of the curriculum on which to focus and improve and to gain an accurate view of relative academic strengths and weaknesses. It is important to examine test results over a period of time. It is also helpful to view the scores from several grade levels rather than fifth grade only (the State reports and publishes only the SAT scores in Grades 3, 5, 8, and 11. Keep in mind that each group of students tested is a unique group, with its own strengths and weaknesses.
We are proud of test results at Granite Elementary. We are working hard to improve students’ scores in all subject areas for all grade levels. Our main focus in improving test scores correlates with President Bush’s “No Child Left Behind” Legislation.
TEST SCORES
U-PASS REPORTS- 2006-07 Reports
- 2005-06 Reports
- 2004-05 Reports
- The purpose of the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS)
is to provide information about how students in Utah schools are doing relative
to the Utah State Core Curriculum and State requirements for school performance.
Information is compiled and presented by the Utah State Office of Education
in accordance with Utah State law. If you have any
questions about the data, please contact the school.
Jordan School District | 9361 S. 300 East | Sandy, UT 84070 | (801) 567-8100 | ©2007
