Hardy Elementary School



Natalie Elder, Principal
Hardy Elementary
2100 Glass Street
Chattanooga, TN 37406

Hardy Elementary Home Page

  Recipe for Success:

The objective of Hardy Elementary School has always been to give each child the best education possible. This involves diligence, ingenuity, unity and teamwork on the part of each individual. Moreover, dedication to our work and compassion for our children are essential qualities also in achieving our goal of excellence.

A concerted effort on behalf of school administrators, teachers, staff members, parents, students, and community involvement are all intricate parts to ensure that our school scores soar resulting in success.

The implementation of different programs has enhanced the ability of each child as follows:

  • Saturday Terra Nova Prep-Grades 2-5, 14 week testing prep concentrating on the 16 Terra Nova Strands in reading/language arts and math (basic understanding, analyzing text, evaluating extending meaning, reading strategies, introduction print, sentence structure, writing strategies, and editing, numbers/operations, computation, algebra, problem solving, data/probability, measurement, and geometry
  • Saturday Writing Academy-4th/5th only 14 week program designed to strengthen students writing skills utilizing the Six Trait Writing Process (Ideas, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Sentence Fluency, and Conventions
  • After school tutorial program-The focus is on sub-skills correlated to TCAP. Students are involved in game application activities to strengthen reading/language arts skills.
  • Early Bird Program - Hands-On Math Equation-This program begins at 6:30 AM until 7:30 AM for all grades. Students utilize manipulative to improve deficient areas in math.
  • Reading for Accuracy Program-This program is designed to tackle problems associated with students at "ground zero". The goal is to accelerate the learning curve of the students in the bottom 15%.
  • "The Bridge" (a Saturday program created by community volunteers)-A community program sponsored by Jack and Jill Incorporation and The Links Organization to work one-on-one with students improve comprehension skills as well as appreciation of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, drama and environmental reading.
  • Rigby Literacy Consultant Training - (assisted teachers in preparation for Guided reading/running records)
  • Two-hour uninterrupted literacy block
  • One and a half hour uninterrupted math block
  • On-site full-time consulting teacher to assist novice teachers, coach and model lessons for effective delivery in the classroom
  • DIBELS-District-wide assessment tool to monitor student's performance. The assessment alerts teachers of growth and deficiencies in reading. Progress monitoring and interventions are provided for at-risk students.
  • Effective Intervention Program ongoing throughout the year
  • Vertical/Horizontal Planning -is incorporated to give teachers an opportunity for collaboration and a focus for identifying standards and SPI's that are being taught on each grade level without overlapping.
  • Family Partnership Specialist (acting liaison between home and school)

These programs involved administrators, a team of teachers as well as volunteers that were willing to sacrifice their time to assist students in the areas of mathematics, reading/language arts, science and social studies.

Parents assisted their children by bringing them to each program promptly. Our students also made their contribution by putting forth their best effort. More importantly, they had the proper spirit and attitude in that they prepared their heart and their mind for success.

Additionally, community involvement played a vital role in assisting the efforts of all involved. Many business establishments voluntarily provided breakfast and lunch for our students during Saturday programs.

The world that we live in preys on the minds of the young and inexperienced. As educators, it is our responsibility, obligation and duty to ensure as well as instill within each child that they have the right to participate and share in the learning process. Additionally, as educators, we encourage each child to take full advantage of this experience and great opportunity during their lifetime. Therefore, it is paramount that this purpose concerning our children is accomplished.

The message must be clear that these students have a constitutional right to a free education, and no one has the right to infringe upon this opportunity. The person standing in front of the students is the most important individual in the class. They must be prepared, they must know the content of the curriculum, and they must maintain a safe-caring environment. Furthermore, they must also wear a badge that exemplifies - knowledge, skill and maintain a disposition of professionalism.

This is my fifth year as principal at Hardy Elementary School. It has been my desire from the beginning of my assignment as principal to devise a work plan to increase test scores; however, I realized that the task would not be an easy one. I also recognized that time brings about change; in turn, change comes with time regarding this goal. Presently, our scores are better than ever, and we are continuously endeavoring to be the best that we can be as a team.