OUR MISSION

At Farnsworth The Home of Future Leaders aerospace is infused in every aspect of our curriculum.
Our dedicated staff encourages experimentation and engages imagination. Our students work in teams to
solve complex problems, and each success builds confidence for the next challenge. Other classes and
activities include music, art, on-site flight simulators, and hands-on field trips that expand understanding of
aerospace. Families are encouraged to learn together through aerospace and engineering family nights and
events. Students thrive here through inspiration, imagination and commitment to become a future leader.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE PREK-4 MAGNET SCHOOL

Academics

Farnsworth is a school steeped in a tradition of excellence. The schools academic program uses Readers,
Math, and Writers Workshop frameworks to provide aligned academic instruction. Teachers continually
collaborate to use student data to provide effective, differentiated instruction for each individual student. All
teachers continually participate in district level professional development detailing the latest information
regarding standards-based instruction and consistent use of best practice teaching strategies. What else?

Aerospace

At Farnsworth, Aerospace is infused into everything we do. Through out of this world classroom instruction
from uniquely trained teachers, guest speakers, and field experiences beyond the classroom. Students
begin learning about flight in Kindergarten, and continue on through 4th grade where they can attend
Aviation Camp in Oshkosh, Wisconsin! Our curriculum offerings support student successes for living,
learning and growing in the 21st century. With our emphasis in aerospace, science, technology, engineering
and mathematics; we are accomplishing our mission by exposing young minds to a world of possibilities,
and backing that up with the coursework that will help them reach their highest potential.

3
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE PREK-4 (CONT.)
After-School Programs

Extended Day for Learning (EDL) offers students additional instruction in both reading and math.
Additionally, EDL offers students enrichment opportunities to learn new things not taught in a typical school
day, including chess for grades two through four and instrumental music for grade four. At Farnsworth, we
customize on our program based on district goals, student needs, and available staff. Transportation and a
snack are provided. The program runs from 4:10 5:45 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. EDL typically begins
in early October and ends in early May. Any questions can be directed to our site leader, Ms. Diemer
(elizabeth.diemer@spps.org) or through the main office.

ELL Services

At Farnsworth we deliver English Language Learner (ELL) services to help English language learners
achieve English proficiency. Through collaboration, ELL teachers and classroom teachers work together to
make grade level content comprehensible using a variety of scaffold techniques to meet each individual
students language needs. ELL teachers most often provide supports in the language arts, but may provide
additional language supports in math or other content areas. Classroom teachers and ELL licensed
teachers collaborate to teach language using district curriculum and language acquisition strategies.

Family-School Compacts

A Family-School Compact for Achievement is an agreement that parents, students and teachers develop
together. It explains how parents and teachers will work together to make sure all students get the individual
support they need to reach and exceed grade level standards. Paper copies of the Family-School Compact
will be made available at family and school events and electronic copies can be found on the schools
website, farnsworth.spps.org under the About, Title 1 section of the site.

Multiple Measure Rating (MMR) by Minnesota Department of Education

MMR ranks schools based on: 1) the number of student in each school who are reading academic targets
for their grade level, 2) how much growth has been made by individual students towards grade-level
standards, and 3) the gap between the academic performance of the lowest and highest performing
students in the school. The MMR rating is calculated from each schools performance on the annual
Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) exams. For high schools, the MMR also reflects graduation
rates. As a result of our MMR rating, Farnsworth Aerospace PreK-4 Magnet School will continue to be a
focus school. Focus schools are part of the 10 percent lowest performing schools that receive Title 1
funding. Our school received this designation because of low test scores as reported in the MCA exams and
for being among the 10 percent of schools in the state making the largest contribution to the states
achievement gap. The 2016-2017 school year will be a year to focus on supporting all students to help their
academic performance and elevate our schools state designation. In order to accomplish this important
work, we will bring together our improvement team, which includes staff, community members and parents.

4
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM FARNSWORTH AEROSPACE PREK-4 (CONT.)

Personalized Learning

As part of Saint Paul Public Schools Personalized Learning initiative, each student at Farnsworth has the
privilege of having their own iPad to elevate the level of their education. Farnsworth Aerospace PK-4
Magnet uses iPads as instructional tools to support students with multiple ways of accessing information,
thinking critically and demonstrating what theyve learned through the use of technology. We encourage
students to be respectful, responsible and safe when using their iPad. Students at the PreK-4 campus are
only to use their iPads during the school day. They will not be transported home at any time. For more
information, please visit Saint Paul Public Schools website for personalized learning:
http://www.spps.org/personalizedlearning.
Pre-Kindergarten

Saint Paul Public Schools Pre-Kindergarten Program offers classes in elementary schools throughout Saint
Paul. Pre-Kindergarten is a half-day program offering quality early childhood education for four year olds
before their kindergarten year at Farnsworth Aerospace PreK-4 Magnet School. Pre-Kindergarten aims to
provide our students with the foundational academic and social skills to be successful in kindergarten. In
Pre-Kindergarten, students learn through active play and structured group times. Conceptual learning is
linked directly to the experience of the child and organized in monthly units promote vocabulary
development and rich exploration.
School Continuous Improvement Plan (SCIP) & Family Engagement Plan (FEP)

Our SCIP one-page summary will be sent home at the beginning of the new school year. It will also be
available at family and school events. For the full version of the SCIP, parents should go to
https://mis.spps.org/scip15/viewonly.cfm?school_num=458&school_year=15-16. Our Family Engagement Plan is
available on our schools website at farnsworth.spps.org under the families tab.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Appropriate Dress for School
We ask that students dress appropriately for school so their
clothing is not a distraction to the learning environment. The school
reserves the right to require a student to reverse the clothes or change if
it is deemed to be inappropriate dress. Some examples are:
- Shirts must cover the mid-section, back and cannot be
low cut in the front,
- Shirts should not have any words or symbols that are
inappropriate,
- Pants and shorts cannot be low cut,
- Students are expected to wear belts and not sag their
pants,
- No headwear (except for religious purposes) is allowed:
this includes rags, hoods, bandanas, or caps.