Click here for our Plan for Continuous Improvement
2007-2008 School Year

Click here for our school report information

Birdneck Mission Statement
In cooperation with family and community, we will prepare individuals for life by developing excellence in education, appropriate interpersonal skills, and positive responsible behavior in a safe environment.

The Birdneck Family
We love our students at Birdneck Elementary School! Our Birdneck Family of over 1,000 students and a staff of over 175 come to us from single-family homes, government-subsidized housing, two campgrounds, military housing, and a trailer park. Currently, Birdneck collaborates with Seatack Elementary in providing an alternative for those families who choose not to participate in the year-round school. This partnership also allows Birdneck families the option of attending Seatack Elementary and participating in the year-round program, if they so desire.

At Birdneck, our programs of service include preschool speech, a preschool Individualized Educational Program for eligible students, and a differentiated kindergarten through fifth grade academic curriculum. We have the privilege of working with other students who are identified as special education students under the following classifications: speech and language impaired, learning disabled, emotionally disabled, mentally retarded, other health impaired, as well as gifted.

The Birdneck Family enjoys and nurtures a rich blend of ethnic diversity. Approximately 54% of our student population is categorized as a member of an ethnic minority, and about 63% of our students qualify for the federal free and reduced meals program. Birdneck is qualified to participate in a school wide Title I program which provides students with additional staffing, smaller class sizes, and funding support to provide them the best education possible, especially when partnered with teacher, student, and parents. Our experienced, highly qualified staff is committed to exploring students’ talents and maintaining educational excellence. Our highly supportive PTA funds student assemblies and presentations, family oriented activities, and educational programs to further enrich the learning opportunities for our students. All of these factors combine to provide our students an outstanding education in a safe, positive, challenging environment.

Through the federal funds provided under the Title I initiatives, Birdneck Elementary offers three programs that assist students in reaching their full potential.

• We offer a full day kindergarten program that provides additional time and opportunity for academic reinforcement or enrichment, as well as positive social interactions.
• The Reading Recovery Program is a structured reading intervention program that focuses on fundamental reading skills and is provided to students in the first grade who are reading below grade level.
• The Title I Resource and Coaching Program provide additional assistance and support in Language Arts and Math for students and teachers in grades 2-5.

There are several unique programs found at Birdneck.

• For the past 13 years, Birdneck has participated in the Reading Is Fundamental Program (RIF). Annually, Birdneck receives a grant to purchase books for all students. Three times a year, Birdneck hosts RIF celebrations where students freely select books to add to their home libraries.
• Birdneck is also proud of its multicultural chorale, The Voices of Tomorrow. This chorale has participated in ceremonies and programs throughout Tidewater including the presentations for U.S. Navy at Dam Neck and Oceana Naval bases, the visitors at Norfolk International Airport, the new homeowners at the Habitat for Humanity (Check on the name of this organization), and many other events.
• Birdneck teachers and Jewish Federation volunteers coordinate an award-winning tutoring program known as BE A Reader or BEAR.

Adjustments have been made in the instructional schedule to promote increased student engagement and achievement. We were able to reconstruct the master schedule allowing each teacher in grades 1-5 a 60-minute planning block to prepare for instruction and collaborate with grade level members. We offer a team teaching model in grades 2-5 which allows teachers to become the master of their subjects. One teacher will teach the subjects associated with language arts and the other teacher will teach math, science, and social studies. Team teachers establish similar routines and behavior management plans so that students reach their full potential.

Professional development is a key to the Birdneck Family success. All teachers receive ongoing staff development from our instructional specialists on best-practice instructional strategies throughout the year. We also have Literacy and Math Coaches on staff. These trained professionals offer demonstration lessons for the classroom teachers, help with grade level planning, and offer staff development on the latest techniques and strategies in the areas of Language Arts and Math.

Most recent test results show Birdneck continuing in fully accredited status and achieving Adequate Yearly Progress based on the mandates of No Child Left Behind federal legislation.