Conrad A. Elvehjem Elementary School

Address:	5106 Academy Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Telephone:	(608) 204-1400
Fax:	(608) 204-0396
Principal:	Craig Campbell

School Handbook Lus Hmoob PDF [Get Acrobat Reader]
School Directory PDF Online Phone Lookup
Attendance Area Map PDF
School Data Profile PDF

2007-08 School Supply List PDF

Enrollment Dates and Times

Recreation Program through Madison School & Community Recreation

Foundation for Madison's Public Schools

Craig Campbell

PTA/O President(s): Steve Foy, (608) 223-9938; Cynthia Struye, (608) 221-4151, cynstruye@email.com
Parent Contact(s): Steve Foy, (608) 223-9938, lvmpto@yahoo.com
High School Attendance Area: La Follette
School Web Site: http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/elvehjem/

Students - Click Here!

Elvehjem Elementary School exists as a community of students, staff, and families dedicated to student growth and development:

Academically - through participation in learning within an environment that actively narrows the achievement gap, eliminates racial predictability and enables all students to be successful in the world.
Socially - through the development and maintenance of respectful and meaningful relationships.
Emotionally - through active engagement in school life.

The school environment will continually evolve to address the individual and changing needs of students to create a school community which values respect and diversity.

[ Site Characteristics || Academic Programming || School Climate ]
[ Partnerships || Quotes || Links ]

Site Characteristics

Location

Elvehjem is located in a close knit neighborhood between Buckeye Road and Cottage Grove Road. The spacious grounds abut a city park and the Elvehjem Sanctuary and Park.

Elvehjem takes pride in being a neighborhood school. Most students live within walking distance. One school bus transports students from the Richmond Hills and Grandview Commons Neighborhoods and vans transport special needs students.

Class Size

Total school enrollment is 395, with 17 classrooms and one classroom of Early Childhood students.

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Academic Programming

Achievement Scores

On measures of reading and math achievement, Elvehjem students consistently score above national and state norms and among the top elementary schools in the city.

Natural Sciences

Along with classroom activities, students at Elvehjem enjoy walking field trips to neighboring environmental areas which host hiking trails through the woods and a conical effigy mound. The Acewood Pond is home to many microorganisms and the nesting site for many birds and animals.

Multi-age or Looping Classes

The structure of class groups is varied at Elvehjem. At Elvehjem we have traditional Kindergarten classes and a K/1 multiage classroom. We also have two first grade classrooms. All 2/3 classes and 4/5 classes are multiage classrooms. These multiage classrooms allow students to "loop" with the same teacher for more than one year, giving consistency in programming and relationship development. Multiage classrooms are seamless classrooms, blending the curriculum and standards of two grade levels into one classroom environment where traditional grade level boundaries are absent. Multiage teachers work to ensure that children receive targeted teaching in all of the content areas.

Technology

All the computers at Elvehjem are networked together. The Computer Lab is equipped with 26 personal computers. All students receive one hour of computer and library instruction each week. Most classrooms have two computers. Fourth grade students learn keyboarding. Students of all ages access the Internet safely and learn how technology is a part of learning. The Library Media Center (LMC) has computers, CD ROM and the Internet.

Full Day Kindergarten

Elvehjem has full-day kindergarten and one K/1 multiage classroom with learning through play, balanced literacy, snacks and lunch.

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School Climate

Safety Is Always A Priority

The school handbook details expectations for a safe environment. Elvehjem is implementing a new Positive School-Wide Behavior System that consists of two components: 1) encouragement and support of appropriate behaviors; and 2) appropriate responses to misbehavior. These two components combine to offer students encouragement and motivation, along with the establishment of clear boundaries and expectations for behavior. The following 7 Guiding Principles are the foundation for our Behavior System.

All students and staff must be physically and emotionally safe if learning is to occur.
Appropriate or desirable behavior must be defined, taught, modeled, encouraged, supported and recognized.
The goal of any intervention is to promote positive behavior rather than to be punitive.
Responses of behaviors must be developmentally appropriate and meet individual needs.
Responsibility for, and communications around, all student behavior must be shared by students, staff, administration and parents/guardians.
Ultimately, our relationships with all students make rules and consequences meaningful and discipline effective.
Students should have input in creating rules, consequences, and rewards.

PAWS Award

This new school-wide award stands for Promoting Academics and a Willingness to Serve. Behaviors Elvehjem staff and students are focusing on relate to: mutual respect; right to participate or pass; appreciations, no put downs; and attentive listening.

Safety Patrol

Fifth graders assist younger students cross four busy intersections and an adult crossing guard currently helps at the intersection of Droster and Buckeye Roads.

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Partnerships

Family Partnerships

The Elvehjem Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. until approximately 7:30 p.m. With free child care available, parents discuss school activities and learn about our academics. The PTO is a strong advocate for students.

Community Partnerships

The East YMCA provides before and after school on-site day care.

University Partnerships

The University of Wisconsin-Madison and Edgewood College often select Elvehjem teachers as supervising teachers for their teacher training. We recommend two students each year to attend the University of Wisconsin College for Kids program.

You Are Always Welcome At Conrad A. Elvehjem Elementary School!

Parents are welcome to visit our school. During elections students offer school tours and tours by staff can be arranged by calling the school office.

We encourage you to talk with parents of our students to learn more about our school. Please see the Principal/Parent Contact Sheet on this Web site for current names and phone numbers.

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Quotes

"I feel very fortunate that my daughter attends Elvehjem because all the teachers have high goals and standards. But the main thing is the sense of community as teachers, parents & students work together as a team."
-- Elvehjem parent

"I like LVM because my kids like it. I'm always amazed at what they learn!"
-- Elvehjem Parent

"The teachers are kind and do cool stuff in class."
-- Elvehjem 5th grader

"Elvehjem has a lot of nice workers. I feel safe and happy at Elvehjem because I know a lot of people and they know me. I can ask them for help if I need it."
-- Elvehjem 2nd grader

"It's a great place to make new friends."
-- Elvehjem 4th grader

"I think that you can really tell that the teachers pay attention to the kids, care about their safety and how they learn."
-- Elvehjem graduate

"It's fun to learn at Elvehjem because the teachers are nice."
-- Elvehjem 4th grader

Remember, you're "At Home At Conrad A. Elvehjem Elementary School!"

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