About Us

What is The Catalyst Approach?

The Catalyst Approach is a comprehensive professional development and implementation model developed by creative partners Nancy Burns and Jacki Brickman, and is based on their observations in more than 50,000 classrooms and school-wide common spaces. It includes a suite of courses, coaching components, leadership development, and systems support that accelerates deep implementation of skills that lead to the creation of improved classroom and school leadership, relationships, and culture.

How did The Catalyst Approach come to Mississippi?

In August 2011, our staff learned the foundational skills from Jacki Brickman, one of the co-founders of The Catalyst Approach. We were one of only a couple schools in Anoka-Hennepin implementing at that time. Since then, we have continued to receive training and coaching from the Catalyst team as well as internal coaches. New staff are provided training during their first year in our building. We have seen a tremendous impact on the culture of our building as a result of building-wide implementation. As a result of the positive impact seen by schools, all Anoka-Hennepin elementary schools have been implementing Catalyst strategies.

Advanced Training and Coaching

Mississippi staff know there is always more to learn when it comes to helping students thrive, especially as the world around us continues to change. Many staff continue to attend training from The Catalyst Approach and participate in coaching to push their skills to the next level. Some staff have also worked through an extensive process to become Certified Catalyst Demonstration Teachers, which means they invite other educators to see them using the skills in their classroom.

• All students may enter the building at 8:45 a.m. and proceed to breakfast or their classroom.
• Bus Drop Off: Bus companies are scheduled to drop off at 8:45 a.m.  Students will be released from their buses at 8:45 a.m.
• Parent Drop Off: Parents are asked to use the South Parking Lot and students may enter door #4 at 8:45 a.m.
• Walkers and Bike Riders: These students may enter at door #1 or #4 at 8:45 a.m.
• School begins at 9 a.m.: All students are expected to be in their classrooms by this time.

Student Dismissal:

• Adventures Plus: Students who will be going to Adventures Plus after-school child care will be led to the cafeteria.
• Bus Lines: The line leaders for the buses will lead the students to the bus as their bus arrives.
• Parent Pick-Up: Students are led to door #4.  It is important that cars exit as soon as their children have been picked up.

Parking Lot Safety and Procedures:

Our goal is for safe and efficient drop off and pick up of your child.

• In the morning: You may start dropping off students at 8:45 a.m.
• In the afternoon: Students come out of the school shortly after our 3:30 p.m. bell.  Please wait in the car line and patiently pick up your children. This process can take about 10 minutes.
• Use the entire curb area for pick up and drop off.  The first car in line should be all the way up to the garage.
• Do not get out of your driver's seat.
• Do not let your child cross the parking lot alone.
• Do not park on Flora Street and walk your child through the Flora Street entrance.