Principal’s Message (includes Mission and Vision of the Campus)

The mission of Kelso Elementary school is WE Educate, WE Elevate, WE Cultivate, WE EmpoWEr! “College and Career Begins at Kelso!” The foundations of instruction at Kelso Elementary School are based on a rigorous  curriculum, high expectations for student achievement and evidence-based instructional practices. The culture of Kelso fosters a professional learning community in which highly qualified teachers engage in ongoing professional development and work collaboratively to analyze student data to develop a student-centered environment, standards-based learning activities that promote critical thinking, collaboration, communication and creativity. 

 

At the heart of teaching, learning and playing are the Kelso PRIDE core values: Positive attitude + Respect + Integrity + Diligence = Excellence. These values set forth schoolwide expectations for conduct and growth. They enhance a climate of excellence and are the foundation of Kelso’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative.  

 

A key to Kelso’s success is a shared vision by Kelso’s passionate staff, students and their families that promotes high standards for academic and personal growth that is carefully monitored and analyzed to ensure the success of each student. Kelso provides technology-rich classrooms, where we are 2:1 for third through sixth graders and 1:1 for our kindergarten through second grade students, and a STEAM pathway to engage students in 21st-century learning that promotes mastery of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in grades TK-8. Every student has access to CCSS-based adaptive learning programs to support and challenge students’ individual needs in reading and math and help fulfill the IUSD promise that all students will be reading by third grade and demonstrate math competency by seventh grade. 

 

Kelso has an amazing support staff. Ongoing support from two district instructional coaches and an accelerated learning teacher assists with the implementation of Tier I instruction, Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), and Writing, Inquiry, Collaboration, Organization and Reading (WICOR) strategies. The instructional coaches also provide one-to-one coaching, facilitate professional development and data analysis with staff. Kelso’s accelerated learning teacher provides instructional support for K-2 students who need targeted and intensive academic instruction. The level of support is determined by teacher referral, core academic benchmarks and DIBEL assessments. The instructional groups created are fluid as students move in and out of intervention as necessary skills are mastered. Students are monitored with a pre- and post-assessment every six to eight weeks. The accelerated learning teacher gives bi-weekly updates to teachers and the principal. Both the instructional coaches and the accelerated learning teacher assists in data analyzation and data chats with teachers. Kelso’s program specialist helps to ensure the correct placement and movement of students in and out of special education as necessary. She fosters strong relationships between special education teachers and parents. The program specialist is key in keeping Kelso in compliance with dates and timelines for students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEP). Kelso also has two supervision assistants and two ELEVO structured recess coaches to assist with supervision of students during recess and lunch. College and career truly begins at Kelso!

 

 

 

The vision of the Board of Education is to provide transformational leadership so that the Inglewood Unified School District thrives.