Listwood Exchange
February 2023
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families:
To say I am surprised that it’s already February is an understatement – I find myself wondering where the school year is going and wishing for it to slow down. Students are excelling in so many areas – from becoming readers to mathematicians to solidifying friendships with peers – the growth is exponential. It’s also important to recognize the social-emotional growth that your child has made since the beginning of the year. At school, we embrace the Social-Emotional Learning Competencies to ensure we are teaching the whole child.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) describes “social and emotional learning (SEL) as an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.” These competencies are organized through the following five principles:
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Responsible decision-making
- Relationship skills
- Social awareness
These competencies are integrated through many aspects of your child’s school day, including our morning community meetings. At home, and as outlined below, there are many ways to build these competencies into your daily interactions to further support your child’s social-emotional health.
SEL COMPETENCY:
Self-awareness - Ask the following questions:
- How did you feel today?
- Were there times in your day when you felt happy or excited?
- Were there times in your day when you felt nervous or afraid?
- If you feel afraid or nervous, what do you do?
Self-management - Consider working with your child to set goals for activities:
- Let’s try to go to the playground at least three times each week!
- When we read tonight, let’s read for at least 20 minutes.
Responsible Decision-Making - Model these for your child and include them in the process:
- I am feeling tired. I am going to relax and recharge so I feel rested in the morning. What will you do tonight so you feel rested tomorrow?
Relationship Skills - Consider the following ideas:
- I noticed we had a hard time at the dinner table tonight because everyone was talking over each other. What do you think we could do differently so we all get a chance to talk and ask questions?
- I can see you are feeling nervous. When I feel nervous, I take a couple of deep breaths.
- I can see that girl is sad that the other kids aren’t including her. When we play together, let’s make sure we ask those around us to join.
This past week, K-3 students celebrated Kindness Week connected to the national program, The Great Kindness Challenge. Students had an opportunity to practice some of these CASEL competencies. As we move through the remainder of the year, classroom teachers, in tandem with our school counselor, will continue to focus on these skills.
Families make a difference, and your support in promoting our whole child approach is most appreciated! Thank you for your continued support in making our school year a success. Every day, I reflect on how fortunate I truly am to be part of such a loving, committed and thoughtful community. Please don’t hesitate to reach out should you have any questions.
Stay safe and healthy,
Gayle Pavone
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Principal: Gayle Pavone | gayle_pavone@westiron.monroe.edu
Twitter: @gpavone28
Secretary: Pamela Iannone pamela_iannone@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: https://www.westirondequoit.org/listwood_schoolLocation: 325 List Avenue, Irondequoit, NY, USA
Main office: 585-336-1640 | Fax: 585-336-1666
Health Office: 585-336-1648
- Nurse: Maria McCulloch maria_mcculloch@westiron.monroe.edu
- Clerk: Kelly Matteson kelly_matteson@westiron.monroe.edu
Transportation: 585-336-2992
District Office: 585-342-5500 | District website: westirondequoit.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY
- February 2: Instrumental Music meeting (3rd game families only)
- February 3 Report Card Day K-3
- February 5: Polar Plunge (details on district participation or SIGN UP!)
- February 10 PTSA Bingo Night
- February 20-24 NO SCHOOL - Winter Recess
- February 27School Resumes
MARCH
- March 1 Kindergarten Orientation for 2023-2024 at 7:00 p.m.
- March 24 PTSA Family Breakfast
- March 24 Parent/Principal Coffee 8:30 a.m.
- March 30 Open House 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
- March 31 NO SCHOOL – K-12 Conference Day
APRIL
- April 3-7 NO SCHOOL - Spring Recess
- April 10 School Resumes
April 13 Report Card Day K-3
- April 14 DISMISSAL AT 11:30 a.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences
- April 21 PTSA Event "Listwood's Got Talent" @ IHS Stage
CLICK here to view the Listwood calendar on our website.
INTERVENTION AND FLUENCY
Math fact fluency is an important predictor of future success in mathematics across a students’ school and college career. As such it has been an important aspect of mathematics learning that we assess in K-6. But how do we define fluency and how can we measure it most effectively? This very question has been an important focus of the K-6 math intervention team.
The National Council for Teachers of Mathematics explains that students who are fluent can choose flexibility among methods and strategies to solve contextual and mathematical problems, they understand and are able to explain their approaches, and they are able to procure accurate answers efficiently NCTM (2014, p.42).
Based on this understanding, intervention teachers have been developing new tools that we can use to measure and monitor progress toward fluency goals, beyond the traditional timed tests. The thinking is that to better understand students’ levels of fluency we need to be able to make their thinking visible. To that end, teachers have collaborated to use strategies such as math interviews to get students to better articulate their thinking both verbally and in writing. As this work progresses, we hope to emerge with systemic and sustainable ways to teach and measure student progress toward fluency in the classroom.
Math Pilot
As you may already know, our K-6 math resources are due for an update. At the start of the school year we assembled a committee of passionate K-6 math classroom teachers and interventionists. We are currently going through a rigorous process to explore and pilot a potential new resource that meets our needs. We are looking for a resource that:
- Is currently used/implemented successfully in comparable districts
- Has research support for instructional approach and proven results
- Addresses the NYS Math Learning Standards
- Sequentially builds learning over time and across years
- Aligns to West Irondequoit instruction and learning principles
- Is highly engaging
- Teaches thinking skills
- Provides options for student accessibility and intervention
- Is accessible to teachers
- Includes digital support or access to digital tools that can be used to for instruction and assessment
Our committee has already narrowed the search to two resources that meet our criteria and we are officially entering the pilot phase. Teachers will be implementing materials from both resources throughout the next few months and using what we learn to make a recommendation. We are truly excited for the possibilities and can’t wait to share the results, so stay tuned!
-- Dr. Orlando Marrero, K-12 Director of STEAM
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
In honor of Black History month, our school and district will be celebrating through a variety of activities and learning experiences. Our goal is to increase student awareness and appreciation for the many important contributions of Black and African-American communities to our rich history and modern culture. We hope many of our students will also find opportunities to celebrate their own connections and identities. Look for some great examples of these experiences and celebrations through our district's social media pages and website!
HAPPY FACES AT THE HOLIDAY BOOK EXCHANGE
Many thanks to Intervention Teacher Amanda Robertson and Intervention Teacher Assistant Amanda Sabocheck and all teachers and staff for continuing this Listwood tradition.
Kindergarten ⤵️
FIRST GRADE
Second Grade
Third Grade
Sprinkle kindness wherever you go!
In celebration of kindness week, your children decorated "donuts" to show that they are sprinkling kindness everywhere!
Listwood School Reminders
LATE ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL
Parents and Guardians,
When your child arrives late to school, we ask that you please escort them to the front door to ensure their safety and entry into the school. After 8:30 am the front doors are closed and are locked and anyone entering Listwood must be greeted by school staff to enter. In special situations, when younger children may be with you in your vehicle, please call the main office at 336-1640 and we will be happy to come out to you and walk your child into school.
Thank you for your understanding with this extra step in safety for all our families.
CHANGING WEATHER
Please remember children need to be dressed appropriately for the changing weather. At recess, our children go outdoors when the temperature and/or wind chill is 20 degrees or above and it is not raining. Please label all belongings with your child’s name.
** Warm Coats ** Hats and Gloves ** Boots **
Your child’s participation and enjoyment during outdoor activities may be limited if not dressed appropriately. The school does not have extra outdoor gear to borrow. Thank you.
ATTENDANCE
Please call the 24-hour school phone (336-1640) when your child will be absent. Please state your child's name, teacher and reason for the absence. You may also email your child's teacher or the school secretary at pamela_iannone@westiron.monroe.edu
TARDY
When your child will be late to school, we appreciate a call or email with that information as well.
LUNCH/TARDY
The daily lunch orders are placed at 9 AM. Please let us know if and what your child would like to order for lunch when you report the tardy so there is no disappointment at lunchtime! Thank you!
DISMISSAL CHANGES
Please send in a note when there is a day when your child's usual dismissal plan is changed.
During the school day, should a situation occur and you must change dismissal plans, we ask the you call the office before noon, if possible. This will prevent confusion and miscommunication at the very busy dismissal time. Thank you!
DISMISSAL PICK UP
Please note that if you are picking up your child at the end of the school day, dismissal is 2:30 p.m. Thank you for arriving in a timely manner.
GRADE 3 MUSIC INFO NIGHT IS FEB. 2ND
Third-grade families are invited to an important informational meeting about starting in our instrumental music program! It’s scheduled for 7 PM Thursday, Feb. 2 at IHS and is for students and parents/guardians of incoming 4th-graders in 2023-24. For more details, click the link: smore.com/5b1r0. You will hear special short performances on 2/2 by the IHS Wind Ensemble and Philharmonic Orchestra. This is the start of child’s musical journey in West Irondequoit, named one of the "Best Communities for Music Education in America for 15 straight years!
PROUD OF OUR TEACHER ON THE TRAIL!
West Irondequoit K-3 Librarian, Mrs. Julianne Westrich, is headed to the Iditarod sled dog race next month and she has become a Rochester media darling the past two weeks! Mrs. Westrich has appeared on multiple TV stations promoting her trip to Alaska as the nation’s only “Teacher On The Trail.” There are links below to watch. She went for nine days last year to “try out” with two other educators and earned the spot for this year. Mrs. Westrich incorporates the Iditarod into lessons for our students in many ways. To learn more, watch a news story below or read Mrs. Westrich’s Iditarod Journal, which she has been doing for months, and will have updates during the race, click here. It starts March 3 and lasts a couple weeks.
KIDS HEART CHALLENGE 2023!
Students in physical education classes will again in February do the Kids Heart Challenge, a national fundraiser by the American Heart Association (AHA). Teachers will explain how students can earn prizes such as wristbands, T-Shirts, jump ropes, playground balls and more. Students will be bringing home flyers about this. Participation in the fundraising aspect is optional, but most important: Students will learn facts how to keep your heart healthy. This will happen through class discussion and activities, such as jump rope and dance. To learn more about the Challenge or download the app, go to heart.org/khc and type in your elementary school name. Click on the PDF below to learn more about the program and prizes! In addition, the last two days before Winter Recess, there will be a culminating event in each class that promotes strengthening the heart.
HEALTH CARE GUIDELINES
Dear Families:
On behalf of our hard-working West Irondequoit nurses and to protect the health and wellness of student body and staff, we wanted to share a few reminders before we reach holiday week on Monday. Many sick students have been returning to school a bit sooner than they probably should. Please remember students should not come back to school after an illness until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication. According to our medical consultants, a temperature of 100 or greater is considered a “fever.”
You can find helpful information on our website at THIS LINK Thank you!
UPDATE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Parents/Guardians,
Do you:
- Have a new cell phone number or email address?
- Have a new work phone number?
- Need to update your emergency contacts?
Be sure to keep your child's school informed of any changes to your phone numbers or emergency contact information. Update info directly on the Parent Portal, or send in a note with your child. Thank you!