Over the years, there have been many modifications to the elementary schools in the Powell School District. Not only have the schools’ curriculums changed over the years, it also varies in each school.

Members of The Prowl staff visited the staff of the schools that they previously attended to get learn more about the changes. Hailee Paul met with some of her old teachers at Southside Elementary, Gracie McLain visited Westside Elementary while Kayla Kolpitcke and Rachel Kuntz went to Parkside Elementary.

Southside has been a great foundation for many PHS students. Over the years they have had many changes. In 2008, Southside moved into their newest school. They now have about 300 student grades Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Changes have occurred in teachers, curriculum and students. This past year all of the teachers have had to adjust to a new math curriculum.

The Bridges program is math-based. This program focuses more so on strategy rather than on the computation side of math. This program doesn’t begin with number operations of base 10like the teachers are used to. This program starts where they feel the standards are for that particular grade.

“We’re hoping next year doing the same program, since all the grades below us have had it, so fourth-graders coming in will have a little more experience,” fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Lenae Acker said . “We’re hoping we’re seeing the biggest amount of struggling this year since it’s new.”

Although the teachers and students are finding this new curriculum more rigorous and challenging, students are making progress and building a strong foundation in mathematical thinking.

In past years the state has also participated in taking the PAWS test. This year not only the elementary school but also the middle and high schools are now taking the WY-TOP test.

This is a state-wide test administered to a variety of grade levels depending on the study and time of year it is. WY-TOP stands for Wyoming Test of Proficiency and Progress. It focuses on English, language arts, mathematics and science.

This new test has also been a big adjustment for not only the teachers, but mostly for the students. It is a lot more challenging for students that are used to the test being all multiple choice. They now have to sometimes come up with their own answers. The test is also not as easy to comprehend. It makes the students think more.

Many PHS students feel that Westside set a good foundation for their learning career. The teachers at Westside have always had a major impact on their students. Although people change and time passses it is still one big family.  

“You love them,” kindergarten teacher Mrs. Darci Ostermiller said. “We become a family.”

One of the major differences the teachers have noticed is a new activity students partake in every day called Daily Five. This activity focuses on smaller groups and enhancing certain skills for students. In Mrs. Christy Larsen’s third-grade class one of the activities students were participating in was called Listen to Reading.

Another major change was within the standards. The schools are now focusing on more state and national based learning so it is much easier for the new students. The third grade curriculum has become much more advanced. For example, students are now learning about electricity and how it works in third grade instead of fifth grade.

When students come into the schools as kindergarteners teachers have noticed that they are much more self-absorbed than they were 10 years ago. Therefore, teachers are having to expand their vocabulary by introducing the words “no” and “share”. Many teachers feel that this is due to the increase of technology in society.

The teachers have also noticed a decrease in class sizes. The average class size for the kindergarten teachers now is 17. Whereas 10 years ago the average was 24. The smaller class sizes make it much easy for teachers to connect with their students and focus on the specific needs of each child.

At Parkside Elementary, many of the previous teachers can still be found with their classrooms full of kids. Parkside is the oldest school school in Powell and many of the kids love it.

“It’s a good school to go to,” said first-grader Wyatt Burns, whose favorite things in Parkside are recess.

With all of the changes that have happened since PHS Prowl staff attended school, the teachers agreed the biggest were the changes in curriculum and standards.There is a new math series and different standards for teaching reading. The shortened read-aloud books and small group reading makes for quite a change. Along with time added in for intervention and enrichment.

“The rigor for the current second-graders is what you learned in fourth grade,” Second grade teacher Mrs. Laurie Zwemer said.

The class size changes depend on the level. The upper age levels have seen surprising declines in class sizes. In fifth grade, Mr. Timothy Brus has smaller class sizes than in previous years. In fourth grade, Mrs. Jocelyn Frame, has her smallest class ever of only 15 students. The younger age groups have seen less of a dropoff. Mrs. Zwemer say the classes are about the same.

Another point that was made was how much more technological the students are. Mrs. Frame pointed out they had to teach us how to use the technology that we had whereas the kids now already know how to use them.

Though a lot has changed, first-graders Aubrey Blount and Wyatt Burns tell us that some things are still the same. The enthusiastic kids explained the “jobs” they have, such as door holder, line leader and office messenger.

“We need to be nice,” Aubrey said. This is one of Parkside’s emphasized rules. Aubrey’s favorite things about Parkside are the teachers and both kids expressed how the field trips have been their favorite part of class this year.