Hello families! It has been a great start to the school year! Our teachers have been working hard to develop a sense of community in their classrooms through engaging getting to know you activities. It is wonderful to see all of the smiles on the students and staffs faces. During the week of August 29th, we assessed students in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math with the NWEA assessment. This "assessment measures what students know and how they are growing academically in order to help teachers develop strategies for equitable instruction that maximizes every learners potential". The Family Toolkit and the above quote can be found at https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/family-toolkit/ . Students are also taking their benchmark assessments in Imagine Galileo (ELA) and Imagine Math. These programs are utilized during our ELA and Math Intervention blocks along with small group remediation or enrichment with the classroom teacher or educational assistant. The assessment data is essential in ensuring students are receiving the education they need.
Teachers have been providing engaging learning opportunities for the students. We encourage you to ask your child what they are learning about in reading, what stories they are reading, what book(s) they are reading, what math concepts they are practicing... We thank you for being involved in all aspects of your child's education. We also encourage you to check in with your child's teacher often to establish a solid home-school partnership. "Home-school partnerships involve collaborative working relationships between families and schools. They can support students in more productive and consistent work and behavior, which in turn can improve students' interest, motivation, and engagement in learning both at home and at school. In effective partnerships, families and schools recognize their shared interest in and responsibility for children and collaborate to create shared goals, share information, and enhance opportunities for children's learning. They create constructive connections between home and school settings that promote positive educational and social outcomes" (https://theeducationhub.org.nz/home-school-partnerships-what-the-research-says/).
We have had some behaviors that are not in alignment with our PBIS expectations. These are being addressed as needed but we would appreciate you all reminding your students to follow our RISE expectations in the areas of Respect, Integrity, Safety, and Excellence. Along with this newsletter, we are sending you a copy of our PBIS Expectations for all common areas.