Principal's Page

     

    • Diana Zabetakis - Principal

    We are dedicated to helping students achieve academic success, develop a love for learning, and respect differnces by working as a team. Each student a Fox Chapel Elementary achieves by actively learning, putting forth an effort, and showing good character in an engaging, comfortable environment. The excellence of Fox Chapel Elementary is a result of the combined efforts of our outstanding staff, our hardworking students and our supportive community.

    At the present time, we have about 600 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. Our student body is very diverse with over 30 languages represented. Our students come to school each day ready to learn. A climate of mutual respect supports the cooperative learning of our students who strive to exhibit the Fox Chaple Trailblazer characteristics:

    We are Trustworthy

    We are Respectful

    We are Appreciative

    We Inspire Others

    We are Leaders

    Fox Chapel Elementary implements the MCPS curriculum with differentiated and small group instruciton. Data on students performance is continuously collected and analyzed in order to plan for appropriate instruction. Grade level teams work together each week to review the data and to plan collaboratively.

    Highlights of our reading program include a Balanced Literacy program in all grade levels with emphasis on small group guided reading instruction and independent reading and writing. Other programming to support our reading instruction includes William and Mary Reading Program, Junior Great Books, and SOAR. Writing instruction occurs daily.

    In math, teachers provide opportunities for student discourse, multiple processes for problem-solving and the use of manipulatives. The math block begins with a whole group lesson followed by guided math groups that review and extend the spiraled curriculum.

    At Fox Chapel Elementary, we implement the Home School Model which provides the opportunity for our special education students to be in their home school with their neighborhood peers. Our special education staff, along with our regular staff, have been trained in co-teaching and inclusion.

    Student leadership and talent are developed through our extracurricular activities, such as:

    • Safty Patrols
    • Student Morning Announcements
    • SERT/ Green Team
    • After School Activity Clubs
    • Chess Club

    Fox Chapel has an outstanding PTA with many parent volunteers. Besides assisting in classrooms and chaperoning on field trips, our strong parent group participates in or sponsors:

    • Book Fair
    • Health Fair
    • Ruth Rales Reading Program
    • Cultural Arts Performances
    • Reflections Program
    • School Social Events
    • Student Agenda Books and Red Folders

    We are so proud of our school and our staff, parents, and students. Check out all the links on our website to see the latest happenings at each grade level and with our PTA.