News Release
November 14, 2006
Ellis Elementary Wins $97,000 Grant From JFM Foundation
"At Ellis Elementary, we soar toward excellence." This last line of the Ellis creed is recited every morning before instruction begins. Ellis has just soared towards excellence yet again by winning a $97,000 grant from the JFM Foundation. Ellis is a neighborhood school in an eclectic area of established homes, refugee families, and international cultures. Members of the Ellis staff recently put together the grant proposal in hopes of gaining the tools and equipment the school needed to achieve their main goal of increasing student achievement by 10% as measured by CSAP. Principal Khoa Nguyen praised the hard work on his staff, saying: "I really appreciate the many hours and productive energy the Ellis staff members contributed to get the JFM proposal completed on time and in good shape. It is the extras that count, and they really counted in getting the job done."
Ellis identified 6 objectives in their grant and provided a breakdown of personnel, extra-curricular, and material resources needed to achieve their goal.
To help increase English proficiency for English Language Learners, Ellis will receive a .5 ESL Resource Teacher and the Language First books on tape program, complete with Listening Centers for the classrooms, and they will establish a partnership with the University of Denver's International Studies Program. To increase student achievement in reading and mathematics, Ellis will implement the Making Meaning reading program and receive professional development in STANDOUT Math (Students Taking A New Direction, Overcoming and Understanding Tests in Math.) Ellis will also receive teacher support through additional release time and extra specialist support. The grant will help support the school's OWL (Open World Learning) after-school technology program for 3rd-5th graders. Finally, it will help all Ellis students have the opportunity to attend performances or workshops with professional artists, musicians, actors, and/or dancers.
Congratulations to Ellis Elementary for soaring towards excellence! Please contact Mr. Khoa Nguyen, Ellis Principal, at 1651 S. Dahlia Street, Denver, CO 80222, 303-756-8363.