Some enrollment statistics include: 17.2 percent of students being in an ethnic minority. Of the 914 students enrolled in the last school year, 757 were Caucasian; 4 were Asian; 6 were Black; 93 were Hispanic; 41 were Multi Race; 12 were Pacific Islanders; and 1 student was American Indian. 2.5% of students were learning English as a second language, and 22.9% were economically disadvantaged. Bluffdale Elementary also offers a Portuguese Immersion program for students beginning in first grade in order to offer them a bilingual experience. 13.2% of students required special education (which Bluffdale has a Resource program for). Additionally, students with difficulties reading or learning math can attend Resource for extra help. The program also offers speech therapy as needed. By gender, there were 409 female students and 505 male students as of last year's records.
My understanding of the purpose of the service learning placement is that my discipline-based knowledge will be exercised and therefore enhanced, and that I will acquire a full understanding of the content that I learn throughout the course. I will be immersed in the subject and its application in the classroom as I observe teacher-student interactions. I will have the opportunity to strengthen the community, especially with the diversity at Bluffdale Elementary. I will gain a sense of responsibility to and engagement in the community of the school.
I look forward to the opportunity to appreciate the occupation of elementary school teacher, and to be able to decide if it is a job that I actually want to pursue. And so begins my adventure in education!
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| Front of Bluffdale Elementary |
