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About our school
Poison Spider is a child-centered school. Staff believe that every child can learn and be successful. Poison Spider provides a friendly, safe and supportive learning environment for students. The goal is for each student to achieve success. The students at Poison Spider are active, hands-on learners. Many interventions are in place to help students who are struggling, and enrichment opportunities are available in the regular classroom for students who are advanced.
Poison Spider is a K-8 school located 15 minutes west of Casper. The seventh- and eighth-grade classes were added seven years ago as a parent-driven initiative. The district provides transportation for all students who wish to attend the school. The school also plans to have a new building in place by the fall of 2008.
Our staff
Poison Spider has 14 teachers, all of whom are highly qualified. Two teachers currently are working toward National Board Certification. Half of all teachers at the school have 10 or more years of experience. Students also have access to a tutor, a part-time counselor and a part-time social worker.
Our curriculum
Students at Poison Spider study the Saxon Math program, which teaches foundational skills that are reinforced through practice. Students study math in 90-minute blocks each day and move ahead at their own pace. Older students study the Math Thematics program that is approved for all middle school students. Students participate in guided reading and a Balanced Literacy program. All teachers also are trained in the 6+1 Traits of Writing, and students use these writing skills in all subject areas.
Agriculture programs are available for seventh- and eighth-graders. Spanish also is available for all grade levels.
Students also have regular PE, art and music classes, as well as a choice of band and orchestra.
Special education students are served through a Response to Intervention pilot program. They are served in a resource room and using inclusion, depending on their individual needs, and regular classroom teachers attend meetings about individual education plans to better understand and accommodate the needs of each child.
Our activities
Classes for elementary students run from 8:50 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and middle level classes are from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Supervision begins at 8 a.m. and is available until 4:15 p.m., when the last bus leaves the school.
Clubs at the school include drumming circle, science fair, History Day, student council, yearbook, chess, Natural Helpers and a spelling club. Fifth-graders play volleyball and basketball in the elementary sports program. Sixth- through eighth-graders may participate in sports at Dean Morgan or CY junior high schools, with transportation provided.
Middle level students also are involved in overnight field trips each may, as well as a middle school banquet and dance at the end of each school year.
The library at Poison Spider also sponsors a Book Character Parade every spring.
Our families
Parent involvement is a vital key to the success of Poison Spider students. Parent and community involvement at Poison Spider is a main strength of the school. Parents are welcome to volunteer in their child’s classroom or in other areas of the school.
Poison Spider also has an active Parent Teacher Organization that provides the school community with carnivals, bingo nights, family dances and dinners, as well as fundraisers.
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