January 22nd, 2016
“It’s impossible to successfully move a large number of students at a school out of failure without giving teachers a voice in the intervention plan or model…Our schools need to stop putting so much faith in things (a process, model, or program), and start having a lot more faith in people.”
-Rebecca Adler, “Intervention for Failing Students: What Matters Most?”
Effective intervention does not begin with the purchase of a silver-bullet program: it begins with finding out the root cause of a student’s struggle and ends with the hyper-focused instruction tailored to address them. As we get close to the midway point of the school year, we should already have ample information regarding students who are struggling and the interventions they each need. And it’s time we do something about it.
You will receive in your mailbox Monday a form for you to identify students whose promotion are in doubt. The students you identify are not put on a list to be retained—in fact, it’s the opposite. Students at risk for promotion will be targeted for crucial intervention services in the next few months to ensure that they graduate in June. Please complete and return this form to your assistant principal no later than Tuesday, January 26th.
Weekly Highlight: Recognizing the urgency in supporting all students to be able to read at grade level by the end of 2nd grade, teacher teams in grades 1 and 2 are working alongside our ENL and RtI teams to implement effective reading intervention for struggling readers. Using F&P data to identify students in the lowest third of their grade, teachers are pushing ahead to do whatever it takes to help these at-risk students read. They are employing systems to monitor each student’s reading level and track progress, collectively focused with only the prize in their eyes. A child’s ability to read at grade level by the end of 2nd grade carries incredible significance on the trajectory of his or her education, and our teachers are doing nothing short of work that is potentially life-altering. Thank you as well to Ms. Jenal for your passion and knowledge in supporting teachers.
Things You Need to Know:
Morning and After-school Enrichment begins on the 1/27. Priority is given to students performing in the lowest 3rd of their respective grades for ELA and Math, and more seats will be made available once the program is up and running. Thank you to all the teachers who are stepping up to work with the teachers who need them most.
Respect for All: 2/9 to 2/13 is Respect for All week, and we are looking for teachers who are interested in working with our guidance team to brainstorm and coordinate RFA activities. Please email me or Ms. Babakitis if you’d like to learn more.
Cell Phone Numbers: Please continue to collect and remind students to bring in their parents’ cell phone numbers. We are looking for 100% compliance in all classes.
2/3 Paint Night: As one of our initiatives to increase parent engagement, 102 will be hosting a Paint Night on 2/3 from 4-6PM for 50 5th grade students and a parent. They will learn how to paint from Ms. Holden and Ms. O’Donell and they will each take home their masterpiece the same night. Flyers and permission slips will go out next week; first come first serve.
Reminder: During periods when another teacher is teaching in “your” classroom, you should not be in the same room doing prep work. It is always a distraction when a non-participating teacher is present in a classroom, and you must demonstrate the courtesy to your colleague and students by leaving classrooms engaged in learning.
See you Monday!
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