Warm cookies, volunteers and literacy stations have something in common — they’re reasons two local elementary schools improved Annual Performance Index scores.

Cherokee Elementary increased their score by 120 points, and Tony Goetz Elementary by 76.

Both schools’ principals have worked hard towards those scores, but their teachers and students have worked harder.

“We have a great team of parents, teachers and students working together to ensure that every child succeeds,” said Malinda Lindsey, Tony Goetz principal. “It especially takes the parents getting kids to school so they can succeed.”

One way Tony Goetz is improving attendance, one of two criteria API scores are based on, is with the Cookie Patrol.

The cafeteria bakes fresh, warm cookies on Tuesday mornings and brings them to the classroom with the best attendance, Lindsey said.

The class also gets to keep a stuffed animal for a week — the “Traveling Tiger” is a symbol of their devotion to being to class on time and every day.

It may not seem API scores have anything to do with sweet treats and stuffed animals, but the incentive to win brings children to school on time and ready, Lindsey said.

Cherokee Principal Daphne Cotton likes the Cookie Patrol idea, she told Lindsey — Cherokee also relies on parental involvement and incentive programs to improve attendance.

“You can’t do it alone,” Cotton said. “You have to rely on your students and your parents.”

At Cherokee, incentives include Fun Fridays — when the students who have met their goals for the week can simply enjoy fun and games, movies, popcorn and more.

If there are students who haven’t completed all their work by the time Fun Friday rolls around, they’re given a chance to catch up and then join the fun as soon as they’re finished.

Though students are enjoying sweet treats and fun games as attendance incentives, both principals said their teachers and students also work hard to learn and prepare for state testing.

Both schools implemented the Literacy First program for this school year — which utilizes special learning centers for students to spend time working in daily.

At Tony Goetz, the students began using the centers last year because of Lindsey’s prior experience with the curriculum.

“Though our grant hadn’t come in yet last year, we began using the literacy centers then, and it shows in our test scores,” Lindsey said.

The students’ success also depended on tutoring and programs such as: Fast Facts Math, Buckle Down, Comprehensive Assessment of Reading Strategies (CARS) and Comprehensive Assessment of Mathematics Strategies (CAMS) and Literacy First curriculum.

“We used Buckle Down at our school in Oklahoma City,” Cotton, who came from two turnaround schools said. “When we used it our scores tripled.”

Buckle Down is an instructional tool used in math and reading.  It mirrors Oklahoma’s Priority Academic Student Skills (PASS) objectives and released test questions.

The bottom line for both principals though — teachers and students.

“It’s a team effort. It takes everybody to make it happen,” Cotton said.

“I can not say enough about how hard they have worked,” Lindsey said.

Reach Wendy Burton at 684-2926 or wburton @muskogeephoenix.com.