FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

1.  How did the ADF come to be?

Although the ADF today provides support for all classes at Steele, it arose from a funding crisis for the British Primary (BP) program.  The BP program was first introduced at Steele in 1993.  An integral part of the BP program is the presence of interns (student teachers seeking licensure through Stanley British Primary School’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program) in each classroom.  Initially, Stanley provided the interns free of charge.  Later, Stanley secured a five-year grant to fund the cost of the interns.  When the grant expired around 2003, a group of parents formed the Steele Elementary BP Committee to raise funds to pay for the interns.  They hosted the first auction to raise funds for second educators.  (By the way, in 2003 there were five BP classrooms at Steele.  Today there are nine.  The student population has increased from about 200 students in 1998 to approximately 450 this year.)

The Steele Elementary BP Committee thought the intern program was important because it: 
- reduces the student/teacher ratio
- retains within DPS a unique multi-age classroom program
- continues to allow DPS to “grow its own” teachers (many interns go on to work in DPS schools)
- retains the quality of existing teachers by offering ongoing professional development as mentors
Very quickly, the school community realized that these factors are equally important in the contemporary program.  In 2005, fundraising was moved to the PTA and expanded to raise money to assist all classrooms.  The Steele Elementary BP Committee became the Academic Development Committee around 2006.

Today the ADF is funded through direct donations from the Steele Community and a donation from PTA, which is partially raised through the Auction.

2. What is the Academic Development Committee (ADC)?

The ADC is an independent Steele committee.  The Principal chairs the ADC and appoints two teachers and one parent from the PTA and one parent from the CSC as members.

Each year, the ADC decides how to spend the money in the ADF by considering the following factors:
a)    Will the expenditure improve instruction and benefit Steele students directly?  e.g., second educator or reading specialists

b)    Do the instructional staff and parents support the expenditure?  (Last year, the ADC conducted two separate surveys of
parents and teachers.)
c)    Can the expenditure be funded from the school budget?

3.  How is the money handled?

Steele Elementary deposits all the donations in a DPS account named Steele ADF.   Funds are dispersed as directed by the ADC.

4. Why do we need second educators in the classrooms?

Over the past five years, class sizes at Steele have increased from approximately 18 children per class to approximately 26 children per class.  Having a second educator in the classroom lowers the student/teacher ratio, allowing for more attention for each child.  It also allows the teachers to work with individual children or small groups.

5. What is the difference between an intern and a paraprofessional?

Interns are students who are studying to become licensed teachers through the Stanley British Primary Alternative Teacher Certification Program. Part of their training involves working with an experienced teacher.  Paraprofessionals are DPS employees who assist teachers in the classroom. Some are assigned to help children with special needs, whereas others provide general assistance to the teachers. DPS funds all special needs paraprofessionals. To the extent the school budget cannot cover all of the general paraprofessionals needed, the ADF funds the general paraprofessionals.

6. How much does it cost to hire a paraprofessional?

A seven-hour per day paraprofessional costs approximately $18,900 per school year.

7. How many interns and general paraprofessionals work at Steele?

Currently there are eight British Primary Interns and four paraprofessionals who are paid for through the Academic Development Fund.

8.  How can I contribute to the ADF?

-    Make a tax-deductible contribution by writing a check payable to Steele ADF and delivering it to the Steele office.
-    Make a contribution on behalve of the staff. They will really appreciate it!
-     Ask family members to make a tax deductible contribution as a seasonal gift to your children (Isn’t education the best gift for
all?)
-    Organize a business event for Steele parents that also contributes to the ADF (e.g., an at-home jewelry party where a portion
of the proceeds are donated to the ADF
-    Ask your company if it will match your gift
-    Buy tickets for the Friends of Steele party in the Space Gallery on March 12 or any other event.