Columbia County is located in north Florida in an area that is primarily rural. All eight elementary schools in Columbia County qualify for schoolwide Title I funds, indicating that many of our students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Westside Elementary School is in its second year of operations. We have a well-equipped computer lab with iMac™ computers, and each classroom is equipped with Apple™ and iMac™ computers. All classrooms and offices have T1 Internet connections.

My students do not have a regularly scheduled time to use the computer lab, but we are free to use it whenever the lab is available.

I have ten special needs students in my special needs Pre-K class. Two students are Hispanic, one student is African-American, and seven are non-Hispanic white. Eight of the students qualify for free lunch. Two of the students have computers at home.

I have a warm and cordial relationship with the families of all of the students. Many of the families walk their children to class every morning. This gives me an opportunity to have frequent contact with my students’ families. In most cases I am acquainted with my students’ parents, siblings, and grandparents. I keep in touch with other family members through telephone calls and scheduled conferences.

Westside Elementary School has made a commitment to include the pre-k children and other students with special needs in schoolwide activities. My students participate in assemblies, attend school plays, take part in the schoolwide character education program, and contribute to the daily announcements.