FRAZIER PARK, Calif. (KERO) – Frazier Park Elementary School has big plans for the new school year.

• The Bobcats are coming together again for the new school year.
• The Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Lab teaches students critical thinking skills.
• Nearly 250 students attend Frazier Park Elementary and 725 attend the entire El Tejon Unified School District.

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Michael McNelis, principal of Frazier Park Elementary School, said the school is constantly growing.

One option is their “STEAM” program – the acronym stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

“We introduced it last year and this year everyone will use it,” McNelis said. “It improves students’ critical thinking skills so they can take their knowledge to the next level.”

Sara Haflich, superintendent of the El Tejon Unified School District, said, “We just set up a brand new STEAM lab here at the elementary school where there are lots of hands-on activities and things related to robotics and science.”

But it’s much more than that. School officials said they realize not all students learn at the same pace.

In recent years, Frazier Park Elementary began using iReady.

“It has several components. One is that they do a diagnosis on the computer at their own pace at the beginning of the year and then we analyze the data and see where they need help,” said Mary Hon, a reading specialist.

The school also offers remedial classes for students who need a little more help.

“Students might go into intervention for two weeks because they’re just missing a basic skill, and then they can go back into class,” McNelis said. “It’s like a revolving door that makes sure students get what they need.”

“Then they can go to class and work on their skills by playing games, taking a brain break and so on,” Hon said. “So they’re learning without even realizing it.”

Haflich said this would not limit educational opportunities for families in the mountain communities, as there are about 245 students enrolled in the elementary school and 725 in the entire El Tejon Unified School District.

“My ultimate goal is to offer a place up here where people can live and love the mountains and the weather, but also receive a first-class education,” said Haflich.

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