CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

The State standards comprise the core curriculum, and are delivered by instruction in Reading/Language Arts, ELD, Mathematics, Science, Health, History/Social Science, Fine Arts, and Physical Education. State approved, standards/research-based programs and materials are adopted district-wide and form the basis for instruction. Students and parents are informed about grade level standards. Teachers at Foothill meet several times monthly in grade levels to collaborate horizontally and vertically on curriculum alignment, strategies and improvement of student achievement based on student data. Ongoing teacher training in core materials is provided to assist teachers in utilizing all components of programs fully and to assist teachers to differentiate instructional delivery to ensure universal access for all students including those who are designated ELD, GATE, Special Education, and regular education. As of July 2004, additional funds have been awarded to Foothill for extensive training and implementation of the Houghton-Mifflin Language Arts program through the Reading First Grant. Teachers are provided coaching support for implementation. Staff development activities are ongoing.

Foothill has sufficient core adopted materials to allow for every classroom to have a set. In addition, categorical funds have allowed us to purchase additional research-based supplemental materials that align with grade level standards.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

To help ensure a quality education for all students, state and federal funding is provided for the following special programs to supplement the core instructional program provided by the school district:

Title I-Compensatory Education
School Improvement Program (SIP)
Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)
LEP-Limited English Proficient Program
ESL-English as a Second Language
Speech Therapy
Resource Specialist Program
Student Counseling

COUNSELING AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Foothill School is fortunate to have contracted services from the Youth Services Center which provides an outreach counselor several days a week. This individual is bilingual in Spanish and English and provides a variety of counseling services. She conducts individual and group counseling for students, classes for students and parents and accepts referrals from teachers.

In addition, we have an on-site part-time nurse and nurse's assistant to provide health screening, administer medications and provide a variety of services for families as needs occur.

We have a school psychologist that evaluates students for placement in Special Education programs and who works closely with the Student Study Team to determine other needs for students' success. We also have a speech therapist, adaptive physical education teacher, and resource specialist teacher to provide additional aide for eligible students.

The Foothill Student Study Team, comprised of teachers and support staff, meets weekly to assist students with special needs. The Foothill staff provides a Gifted and Talented Education program for students in grades 4-5 who are recognized as gifted and talented.