K8 Memo

 "We, as a community, will develop confident, well-rounded, and sought-after graduates who are prepared for the future"

Welcome back.  I hope that everyone found some time to relax over spring break.  While many enjoyed the respite and excitement of traveling over the break, it is important to remember that some of our students and staff may have had different experiences.  Our school, staff, and daily routines are the stability and security for many of our students.  Spring break, especially gloomy ones like ours, may have been more difficult for some students.  Please keep an eye out for our children who may need some extra support and encouragement this week,

Additionally, our daily routines and rules may be a distant memory for some.  Please make a conscious effort to help all students transition back into the school rhythm.  Here are some simple, actionable ways you can make this transition a positive one:

• Ease into academic demands. 

• Review expectations and routines: 

• Morning/dismissal routines 

• Responding to a signal 

• Lining up 

• Hallway expectations 

• Restroom behaviors 

• Small-group routines 

• Lunch and recess rules

• Engage students in personal and/or academic goal-setting.

• Extend extra patience and empathy.

• Revisit favorite activities.

Good Reads

“Those weeks between Spring and Summer break are crucial times in the school year. It’s when all the major revision and review happens before the final exams, and there’s a lot of great material to cover during those weeks, too! However, it’s often the point in the school year when students are the least motivated. Here are twenty activities…”  Read more

As we approached testing season, the already anxiety-prone fourth graders I teach began asking questions about test dates, format, and content. These signs of stress, combined with antsiness brought on by the arrival of long-awaited spring weather and a week of spring break, all came at once this year. I was feeling stressed, too.”  Read more

Points of Interest

3rd Quarter Grades

The third quarter ends today.  Please collect and grade all work that students completed over the break, and post your grades in Skyward. 

MS Grade Checks

Please be sure to help all student-athletes get their first spring sport grade checks in quickly and efficiently today!  I need them by the end of 6th period. 

MWSD Open Positions

Several positions were posted to our website over the break.  Please pass on the opportunities:

• K-12 Dean of Students (6-12 Grade)

• Athletic Director/HS PE teacher

• HS ELA

Stevens County Addiction Talk

Mary Walker SD is hosting a youth addiction talk by College of Medicine Addiction Prevention Researcher, Crystal Lederhos Smith: https://medicine.wsu.edu/overview/faculty-and-staff/crystal-lederhos-smith-phd/

The 9th and 10th-grade students from Springdale, Chewelah, Wellpinit, and Valley enrolled in the Stevens County Mentorship program as well as the 7th and 8th-grade students at Mary Walker are invited to this engagement. College of Medicine will be providing a pizza lunch for all participants.

LID’s 15-Day Challenge

How is your progress on the 15-Day Challenge.  Please continue to work on your unit posters.  Here are some supportive links:

• Presentation Documentation 

• 7 Steps w/Photos Form

• Video: https://vimeo.com/805704493   - Password: Maria33

State Testing

I am not sure that the old adage that ‘practice makes perfect’ is true with state testing. However, I firmly believe that when students complete the practice and training tests, they perform better on the SBAC! Please review the practice and training tests and schedule some time into your teaching to help focus and prepare our students for the SBAC. 

• Proctor Training April 21

• ELA Testing Week, May 8-11

• Math Testing Week, May 15-18

• WCAS Testing (5th & 8th), May 23

Links:

Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program Portal

• https://wa.portal.cambiumast.com/ 

Blueprint 

• Mathematics Summative Assessment Blueprint

• ELA/Literacy Summative Assessment Blueprint

SmarterBalance Release Item

• https://sampleitems.smarterbalanced.org/BrowseItems

Student Expectations

Thank you for the help with hallway access and phone use. Please continue to monitor our hallways and help our students to be safe, respectful, and responsible. Also, please use the hall pass when students are out of your classroom. The semester is a perfect time to review our PBIS rules and expectation posters.    

MTSS Update

MTSS Roundtable Process

Calendar

K-8 Calendar

 

Monday, 4.10 

Middle School Sports Start

End of third quarter

SST 9:00 AM

Office Team Meetin 1:00 PM

Grade Checks Due by end of 6th period.

Tuesday - 4.11

MTSS Roundtable 7:30 AM

MTSS Meeting 10:00 AM

Assessment Meeting 11 AM

Wednesday - 4.12

Admin Meeting 9:00 AM

7th and 8th grader Stevens County Addiction Talk with Crystal Lederhos-Smith 11:20-12:10 PM

Thursday - 4.13

PLC at Work: Brett, Jo and Darci in HS Library

Charger of the Month assemblies, K-2: 2-2:30,  3-5: 2:30-3:00

Friday - 4.14

Regular School day (snow make-up day)

UP and Coming Events:

April 21   LID Day

April 25-28  PBIS Conference (Diane, Mandy, Rebecca out)

April 28   Student Access Day