Dear Families,
A favorite part of my job is ensuring that each student is getting what they need. This includes lots of smiles and recognition personally delivered by me. Another favorite area of my job is putting the pieces together for the ongoing professional growth of our staff. In education, things are always changing. We get new and unique students each year and educational research often informs new and, hopefully, more effective curricula.
During our early release and non-student Fridays, our staff is collaborating to plan units using our new inquiry-based Amplify Science program. Our teacher are learning how to teach science concepts through real life engaging problems such as “What happens to the bacteria population after a course of antibiotics?”(6th grade) and “How does a train suspend over the tracks?“ (3rd grade.) Teaches are refining their methods for engaging students in rich discussion around science phenomena. Please ask your child what they are figuring out in science this month.
We are also looking forward to the district adoption of new reading materials this year. I encourage you to give your input into the adoption of the Units of Study for Reading from Columbia’s Teachers College at Edmonds School District’s Community Review. I have personally seen these materials transform student skills and engagement in reading in a variety of schools. I encourage you to participate in the community review as described in this newsletter.
Teachers are gearing up for conferences during the week of October 14th-18th. Our goal is to have 100% of families attend a conference, so that we can have two-way communication about strengths and areas of growth. Students clearly benefit when we partner with each other.
We love knowing that our students get lots of active play after school. Families are welcome to use our playground or field areas that are not being used by after school programs with building-use agreements. For example when Move 60 or Right at School are on a section of the playground, that area is closed to the public for the safety of those students. Supervised children are welcomed to be on other areas of the playground any time after 3:30PM. Please reach out to the office with questions you may have on this, or any other topics.
In Partnership,
Melissa