Whittier Elementary
815 E. Farnum Ave.
Royal Oak, Michigan 48067
Phone: 248.541.1552 Fax: 248.584-6222
Principal: John Houghton
Where are we headed?
The students of Whittier Elementary are slated to attend Keller Elementary in the fall of 2007. Currently Keller is a Middle School, but students and staff there will be joining the students and staff of Addams Middle School at the new Royal Oak Middle School in the Fall of 2007. The new Royal Oak Middle School will be located in the former Dondero High School building. The new Principal of Keller Elementary will be John Houghton, who is currently the Principal of Whittier Elementary. Keller Elementary will also pilot the International Baccalaureate (IBO) Primary Years Program for the 2007-2008 school year. For more information on the IBO, please go to the following website: http://www.ibo.org/. You may also contact Carol Hansen, Executive Director of Student Services, at the Board Office by dialing 248-435-8400 ext. 232 or John Houghton, Principal of Whittier Elementary by dialing 248-541-1552.
Consolidation Team
|
Communications |
Student Activities |
Procedures & Processes |
Learning and Growth |
| Sharon Markhoff | Shannon Hulswit | Chris Pariseau | Mark Weatherwax |
Closing Activities
Check back for a list of closing activities scheduled for Whittier Elementary.
History
Whittier Elementary is located in a quiet suburban neighborhood about one mile from the busy downtown area. The building was construction in 1922, renovated in the early 1970’s, and is one of the oldest schools in Royal Oak.
Whittier was designed by Frederick D. Madison, a Royal Oak architect and built by N.A. Starr contractors opening for business in the Spring of 1923. Whittier was the 2nd separate grade school in Royal Oak with 585 students enrolled. There were 15 classrooms with an average of 39 students per class! The first Whittier principal was Dorothea Froelich.
Whittier’s students come from diverse economic and family backgrounds. We have a long history of strong parent loyalty and support. The PTA is extremely active in our building and in our programs, providing fundraising, cultural arts, and social activities for our school community.
Presently, Whittier Elementary has 261 students enrolled. There are 10 regular education classrooms from 1st through 5th grade as well as one Cross Categorical classroom with students from 1st through 5th grade.
When Keller Elementary School opens its doors in 2007/2008, the school will enter the candidate phase of the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. Keller’s pilot of the IB/PYP will provide a well-rounded program that incorporates the Royal Oak Schools curriculum with an international focus. Keller students will benefit from instructional strategies that focus on the IBO’s inquiry-based curriculum that is recognized for excellence in 124 countries. The PYP curriculum builds on state standards delivered through internationally developed, research-supported educational practices. “Inquiry” is a primary strategy used to integrate higher-order thinking, questioning, and application of content knowledge through science and social studies.
The Primary Years Program focuses on the needs of the whole child – the social, physical, emotional and cultural needs. It provides children a strong foundation in all the major areas of knowledge: mathematics, social studies, drama, language, music, visual arts, science, personal and social education and physical education. “The PYP strives to help children develop an international perspective – to become aware of and sensitive to the points of view of people in other parts of the world.”
The curriculum in the PYP is organized around six transdisciplinary themes that are intended to help children make sense of themselves, of other people and of the physical environment, and to give them different ways of looking at the world. These global themes provide the framework for exploration and study:
· Who are we
· Where are we in place and time
· How we express ourselves
· How the world works
· How we organize ourselves
· Sharing the planet
The PYP Student Profile is central to the work of the PYP. The school strives toward developing a person with the attributes and dispositions described in the student profile:
· Inquirers – love of learning
· Thinkers – problem solvers
· Communicators – express ideas
· Risk-takers – spirit to explore
· Knowledgeable – significant knowledge
· Principled – fairness and justice
· Caring – action and service
· Open-minded – a range of points of view
· Well-balanced – personal well-being
· Reflective – thoughtful consideration
The Whittier/Keller teachers are preparing for the 2007/2008 year with attendance at IB/PYP professional development workshops, with site visits to international schools and through the Professional Learning Community format. Keller teachers will collaborate to incorporate the mandated Royal Oak Schools curriculum’s GLCE, standards and benchmarks with the PYP instructional framework.
For further information refer to the INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE WEBSITE: www.ibo.org or the Keller International School website: www.royaloakschools.com/board/transition/el/keller_international_school.htm
