Pettit Park About Our School

1:1 Technology Academy

Beginning in August of the 2012-2013 school year, Pettit Park will be a 1:1 technology academy. All students in grades K-2 will have their own personal tablet device that they will use to support learning throughout the school day. All students in grades 3-5 will have their own personal laptop device that they will use throughout the school day. Teachers will instruct students in the care and operation of their devices and students will then earn a "Digital Driver's License" that gives them additional privileges of where and when they may use their device. Teachers will work to embed technology into their daily classroom instruction as students use technology to learn, practice, explore, and present their learnings.

Teachers began professional development about 1:1 technology last spring and over the summer. They will continue to meet, collaborate, and work with our building Technology coach and district Technology Curriculum supervisor to make the technology integration more meaningful. In addition to the student devices, teachers utilize projectors, interactive whiteboards, interactive tables, the Internet, and various software programs incorporate technology daily.

PP Vision Statement

At Pettit Park we are committed to growing our students into life-long learners. To do this students, staff, parents, and the school community developed a common vision statement of our beliefs.

We believe...

"All students deserve to be a part of a school where they are accepted, valued, and respected for who they are. All students deserve to be engaged and challenged through a culture of high expectations and rigorous curriculum that is differentiated to meet their individual needs. Students deserve a clear and consistent environment that promotes lifelong learning and the life principles of: be kind, be clean, be safe, work hard, and fix your mistakes."

Growing Readers, Writers, & Life-long Learners at PP

At Pettit Park we believe that learning should be a life-long endeavor. Pettit Park teachers and staff hope our students will leave Pettit Park as readers, writers, and most importantly thinkers. We believe in looking at the strengths of each student and helping each one grow and improve.

We strive to provide students with a balanced literacy program that includes daily blocks of time devoted to reading workshop, writing workshop, and word study. We believe in taking each student from where they are and providing them with the skills and strategies needed in order to reach the grade level Common Core standards as well as standards designed by the state of Indiana. Our program includes on-site literacy coaches, small group instruction, Literacy Intervention groups for struggling readers, the use of leveled texts at all grade levels, and large chunks of independent reading time. Teachers meet regularly to discuss student data and progress. This data then drives our instruction to meet the needs of our students.

We also strive to provide students with a balanced math program that involves math review, mental math, problem solving, fact practice, and skills instruction. As a part of Kokomo Center Schools we use the Envision Math program along with the Common Core and Indiana State Standards to drive our math instruction. Classes also incorporate additional problem solving activities, math journals, and small group math instruction in their daily Math Workshops.

In our effort to provide all students with a rigorous curriculum and high expectations, all of our students with learning disabilities and mild learning disabilities spend the majority of their time in their general education classroom. Our special education teachers co-teach along side the general education teachers to provide extra support to any students who may need extra help. This extra support may take place in the general education room or in a resource room, with individual students or with small groups. We also utilize our paraprofessionals to work with individuals and small groups of students who may need extra support on certain skills or subject areas.

About Pettit Park

Our School...

Pettit Park Elementary Tech Academy is one of seven elementary schools in the Kokomo-Center Township Consolidated School Corporation. Our School is home to approximately 275 students and 25 staff members. We service kindergarten to fifth grade general education students as well as students identified with learning disabilities and/or mild learning disabilities. We are a 1:1 technology school meaning that all of our students have their own personal technology device (tablet or laptop) for use throughout their school day.

Pettit Park is located in a quiet residential neighborhood just northwest of Kokomo's downtown. The community surrounding Pettit Park is made up predominately of small, single-family dwellings, with a blend of owned and rented properties. Several large, older homes in the area have been converted into mulit-unit apartment buildings.. The neighborhood brings together elderly individuals, young families, established landowners, and leaseholders. A goal of our school has been to help develop "bridges" between the school and neighborhood communities. Students are encouraged to give to their communities and the community is encouraged to get involved with the school through a variety of programs and events. Some of our events include:

"Make A Difference Day"
Grandparents Day Celebration
Veterans' Day Celebration
Mentoring and tutoring with Project 30 mentors
Fundraising and/or food drives for local charities and Riley Children's Hospital
School Events (Book Bingo Nights, Family Math Nights, Muffins with Moms, Donuts with Dads, PTO Chili Supper, Spring Carnival, and much more)