Schmitt Community Schools Implementation Plan

At Schmitt Elementary, a holistic approach to social-emotional learning (SEL) is paramount in supporting student well-being. This year, we proudly implemented the Leader in Me program, a whole-school transformation model that empowers students to take ownership of their learning and leadership. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are embedded into our daily routines, helping students develop self-awareness, goal-setting, responsibility, and interpersonal skills. Mindful regulation breaks and designated calming spaces are integrated into the school day, providing students with regular opportunities to manage their emotions effectively. Consistent positive behavioral supports and incentives foster a culture of respect and cooperation schoolwide, while dedicated counseling support five days a week ensures individualized emotional regulation assistance. Evidence-based programs such as Second Step and Zones of Regulation, alongside teacher-led SEL curricula including MindUP and BRAVE, are seamlessly woven into instruction. Part-time community liaisons further support strong communication between school and home. This comprehensive approach reflects Schmitt Elementary’s commitment to nurturing students’ social-emotional skills, cultivating leadership, and fostering a supportive environment where all students can thrive academically and personally.

Schmitt Elementary School has a multi-tiered approach to student learning and well-being. Teachers are trained and supported through ongoing professional development and inquiry groups focused on Reading and Writing Workshops, as well as the Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) approach to math. These efforts provide a strong and targeted Tier 1 core program for all students.

For both best first instruction (Tier 1) and targeted intervention (Tier 2), Schmitt has implemented Structured Literacy practices aligned with the Science of Reading, with an emphasis on phonemic awareness and phonics in the primary grades to meet the diverse needs of our learners. Schoolwide integration of technology also supports the development of critical thinking and 21st-century skills. Conferring, small group instruction, and strategy groups allow teachers to get to know each student as a learner and tailor instruction to meet individual needs.

Students who need additional support participate in Tier 2 small group reading intervention, which targets specific gaps in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension. This work is supported by a full-time intervention teacher, using Really Great Reading, a structured, explicit, and multisensory reading program grounded in the Science of Reading. This approach is helping us build strong foundational reading skills and improve student outcomes.

Schmitt Elementary School families have access to a wide range of resources to support their physical and emotional needs, including food, clothing, housing, medical care, parenting classes, and school counseling services. Our part-time Community Liaisons, who speak Vietnamese and Spanish—our two most commonly spoken languages—have built strong relationships with families and are known as trusted points of contact. Families know they can come to the school for help whenever they need it.

The School Community Liaison (CL) plays a vital role in connecting families with the school by promoting events, offering translation, conducting community outreach, and delivering parent workshops and presentations. They also provide families with access to essential items such as school clothing and shoes, pajamas, blankets, backpacks, hygiene products, and food through the WSD Boutique and other community partnerships.

Community Liaisons follow up with families for continued support or upon request, ensuring needs are met with compassion and discretion. These services are rooted in strong relationships built on confidentiality, trust, and safety. Because of the impact of their work and the trust they’ve earned from families, increasing the Community Liaisons' hours has proven beneficial. With more time on campus, they are able to maintain a consistent presence, encouraging more families and students to seek assistance throughout the school day.

Our weekly newsletter highlights the community events and resources that families can access during the week, which may include our WSD Food Distribution, WSD Free Clothing Boutique, Second Harvest food distribution, Hurtt Mobile Family Clinic, Hoag Well-Being classes, Healthy Smiles Dental services, free vision screening, District Assistance League’s Operation School Bell New Clothing Pick Up, and parenting classes.

Another avenue for intervention and support is weekly meetings with community partners to brainstorm and collaborate to combine resources and information to offer much needed help to our families and to break down barriers making the whole student the center of all we do and offer. Creating an environment where the student can thrive and feel as part of a larger school community where they feel they are cared for.

It is important to mention the many staff development opportunities Community Liaisons have and the Professional Learning Community they are a part of. Community Liaisons have six initial hours of training at the beginning of the year through our Keenan system to learn about protocol, procedures and safety. In addition, CLs come together at least six times per year to be trained on Community Resources, Attendance, Technology, Customer Service and to network and learn from each other. This extensive communication and training makes them professionals in their field and an integral part of caring for the whole child.

In a spirit of collaboration and cooperation, we partner with many local organizations to serve our students, especially those most vulnerable. Some of the services we provide come from the generosity of the Assistance League of Huntington Beach (ALHB), who not only provides opportunities for our students to shop for new clothes at Target and JCPenney through Operation School Bell, but also works with our school for Operation New Beginnings. This program is used in emergency situations and when the student is in need of clothing between Operation School Bell dates. In addition, The ALHB also provides grants through “Links to Learning.” The grant monies are used to help teachers implement projects to enhance students' learning experience.

Westminster School District has also partnered with FOCUS O.C. and organization, which provides food boxes to our students and families once per month. The goal is to provide nutritious meals and improve the health of our students.

The City of Westminster partners with our school on “Shop with a cop,” backpack and school supplies distribution and to make home visits to ensure the well-being of the whole-child. CalOptima assists our families by helping to sign up families for Cal-Fresh, Cal-Works and more. Westminster School district has opened a WSD Boutique at one of our sites, which supports families in need with food, clothing and shoes, hygiene products, diapers, laundry detergent, backpacks, school supplies and more, serving the whole family. The boutique is also a hub for referrals to needed outside resources. Our goal is to provide a school environment where students can have their needs met, both scholastically and personally. A place that feels more like an extended family where they can thrive.

Improving attendance is a top priority at Schmitt Elementary School. The Principal, Community Liaison, and Attendance Intervention Clerk work at the site hand in hand to track attendance data and ensure that our students come to school every day. In conjunction with these efforts, the Principal, staff and the WSD School Resource Officer, make home visits and offer resources to parents to break down barriers, so the student can feel safe and supported to attend school. As a team, we try to understand the barriers that our students and families face that prevent them from coming to school. Personal phone calls and meetings with the impacted families help us to problem-solve together as we tackle their student’s chronic absenteeism or tardiness. Through parent education workshops on attendance, School Attendance Review Teams, District Attorney Information meetings, and District level School Attendance Review Boards, parents begin to understand the impact of attendance on their student’s academic success and learn ways to create routines and schedules at home. All the while using restorative practices and using a wrap-around system of support for the whole family as they make positive changes to improve attendance and in turn academic achievement. Students can recover academic loss at Saturday School, a place where students want to be a part of due to the fun and supportive environment the school provides.

To encourage good attendance habits, Schmitt Elementary has implemented a schoolwide incentive program that celebrates both individual and collective progress. Each day a class has perfect attendance, they earn a letter toward spelling S-C-H-M-I-T-T. When a class spells the full name, they earn a special class prize or celebration.

All students also receive monthly treat days as a reward for consistent attendance, creating a shared celebration across the campus. In addition, classrooms with strong attendance get morning shout-outs, fostering a sense of pride and positive competition. As we continue to build a culture of showing up and doing our best, we are always looking to grow our efforts. Future attendance incentives will include student raffles or extra recess for classrooms that hit major attendance milestones.

Family engagement is a collaborative and strengths-based process through which teachers, school staff, families, and community members build positive relationships and set goals to ensure the success of our students. This shared responsibility and mutual respect for the unique roles and strengths each stakeholder brings is the cornerstone of our family and community engagement program at Schmitt Elementary School.

At Schmitt, we engage families through a variety of meaningful opportunities, including family workshops, student-led conferences, leadership events, school celebrations, and regular communication in families' home languages. Our Community Liaisons help ensure access and connection between home and school, while events like Family Science Night, Trunk-or-Treat, and Lunch on the Lawn strengthen school-home partnerships. Parents are invited to serve on school committees, participate in PTA events, and contribute to shaping a positive school culture. Committees such as the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), District English Learner Advisory Committee (DELAC), and School Site Council (SSC) serve as vital vehicles for two-way communication, allowing us to reflect, evaluate, and co-plan next steps for our school.

Together, we foster a welcoming and inclusive environment where all families feel valued and empowered to support their children’s academic and personal growth.

These family engagement events include:

● Coffee with the Principal

● Weekly Lion’s Den Newsletter

● Back to School

● Open House

● PTA/SSC

● District Choir

● Family Movie Night

● Monthly Award assemblies

● Trimester Award Assemblies

● End of the year Awards

● VAPA Music Performance

● Halloween Parade

● Santa Picture & PTA Bake Sale

● WHS Lion Dance Performance

● Cinco de Mayo Performance

● Kinder Info Night

● Lunch on the Lawn

● Schmitt Olympics

● Restaurant Fundraiser Nights

Regular and ongoing communication between parents and the school about our family engagement opportunities is shared in a variety of ways. These include a weekly newsletter from the principal (sent electronically in each family’s correspondence language), updates on ParentSquare, our electronic marquee, and regular posts on Instagram and Facebook. We also provide hard copies when needed, ensuring that all families receive information in their preferred communication format so it is both accessible and clearly understood.

Schmitt Elementary School students benefit from a wide range of academic support and expanded learning opportunities, including before- and after-school care programs. These programs were developed in collaboration with school staff and community partners who are committed to making a difference and enriching the lives of our learners.

Current opportunities include:

● Art Club

● Chess Club

● Choir Club

● Conversational Spanish

● Innovation Club (Robotics, Engineering, and Design)

● LEGO Engineering

● Origami Club

● Social Skills Board Game Club

● Soccer Club

● WICOR Leadership Club

The time students spend before and after school is valuable and can have a lasting impact on their educational foundation. Schmitt is home to two extended day programs: ASES Pride Boys and Girls Club and ESP (Extended School Program). Both programs offer daily care, nutritious meals, academic support, and engaging activities that help students build community, express creativity, and form lasting friendships.

At Schmitt Elementary School, collaborative leadership practices are firmly in place. Our School Leadership Team, English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC), Parent Teacher Association (PTA), Professional Learning Community (PLC) Leads, and School Site Council (SSC), composed of teachers, staff, and administrators—meet regularly to share valuable insights that inform decision-making. This shared leadership model fosters a culture of collective responsibility and actively engages teachers, families, and the broader community in improving student outcomes.

A thriving culture of professional learning and leadership is evident throughout our campus. Our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Lead works closely with teachers and staff to implement a comprehensive Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) framework that includes a common language, clear academic and behavior expectations, and strategies for creating a culture of respect and responsibility. This work bridges school and home and includes a schoolwide support system and scheduled instruction to ensure students understand expectations. District behavior specialists are also available to provide additional support as needed.

Both classified and certificated staff have the opportunity to participate in a districtwide Leadership Course, led by the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. These courses focus on building a shared vision of learning, fostering a safe and inclusive environment, modeling a professional code of ethics, and developing individual leadership capacity.

Additionally, a monthly Leadership Institute allows the principal to work closely with district leadership to ensure effective systems for high student achievement. Monthly Principal Professional Learning Community (PLC) meetings further support collaboration across school sites by allowing leaders to share best practices and innovative strategies.

 

Our vision is to create a network of community schools within the Westminster School District that serve as hubs for holistic student development and family engagement. These schools will not only focus on academic achievement but also address the social, emotional, and health needs of all students. By fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment, we aim to develop resilient, empowered, and well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to their communities. Programs and services will cover a spectrum of needs, including integrated student support, family and community engagement, collaborative leadership and practices for educators and administrators, and extended learning time and opportunities.

1. Integrated Student Supports:

○ Implementing a multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) framework to address academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of students.

○ Offering counseling services, academic tutoring, and mentoring programs to provide personalized support for students.

○ Promote a positive school climate through initiatives such as restorative justice practices, anti-bullying campaigns, and mindfulness programs.

○ Partnering with community organizations to provide access to health services, food assistance, and other basic needs for students and families.

2. Family and Community Engagement:

○ Hosting regular parent-teacher conferences and workshops on topics such as literacy strategies, homework help, and college readiness.

○ Establishing a parent advisory council (SSC/ELAC) to involve families in decision-making processes.

○ Organizing family nights, cultural celebrations, and community events to foster connections between school staff, students, and families.

○ Collaborating with local businesses, non-profits, and faith-based organizations to provide resources and support for families in the school community.

3. Collaborative Leadership and Practices for Educators and Administrators:

○ Facilitating professional learning communities (PLCs) where teachers collaborate to analyze student data, share best practices, and develop instructional strategies.

○ Providing opportunities for job-embedded professional development through coaching, mentoring, and peer observation.

○ Establishing shared leadership structures (SST) to distribute decision-making and promote collective responsibility.

4. Extended Learning Time and Opportunities:

○ Offering before and after-school programs focused on enrichment activities, homework help, and skill-building workshops (ELOP, ESP).

○ Implementing summer learning programs to prevent learning loss and provide additional academic support for students (SLRP, ESY, ESP-summer camp).

○ Providing access to online learning platforms for students who need extra help outside of regular school hours.