WILLOW CREST NEWS
February 2024
PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE
Hello Willow Crest Families,
We are looking forward to sharing the progress your child has made during parent/teacher conferences next month, February 21 and 22.
Here is the link to schedule your parent-teacher conference:
https://apps.asdk12.org/ConferenceScheduling/StudentScheduleStartExt.aspx
Finally, I want to share that we have 18 students who have Perfect Attendance since the start of the school, and 89 students who have missed less than 2 days. That is amazing!
Sincerely,
Ray Marshall, Principal
🍎SCHOOL CLIMATE and CONNECTEDNESS Survey🍎
Dear Willow Crest Families and Students,
Please take a moment to complete the School Climate and Connectedness Survey. This data helps us focus on key areas and become a higher performing school. It only takes a couple minutes and is completely anonymous. Thank you for your help and input!
Please select the ASD survey link most suitable to you:
- Student Survey:
- Grades 3-5 surveys.panoramaed.com/aasb/asdstudent35
- Grades 6-12 surveys.panoramaed.com/aasb/asdstudent612
- Staff Survey: surveys.panoramaed.com/aasb/asdstaff
- Family Survey: surveys.panoramaed.com/aasb/asdfamily
EVERY MONDAY IS PLC MONDAY- SCHOOL START TIME IS 10:00
SCHOOL ENDS AT 3:30PM. STUDENTS SHOULD BE PICKED UP NO LATER THAN 3:45PM
COACH KAREN'S MESSAGE
Happy New Year
Its wonderful to have everyone back in the building as we start the second half of the school year.
As we are seeing longer days and more sunlight, this is a time we see students growing in incredible ways. One of the ways we encourage parents to support this growth is to read read read with your child, or have them reading to you or a sibling.
You should be hearing regularly from your child's teacher on the progress yourr child is making according to the AK Reads Act. If you have not heard from your child's teacher, please feel free to reach out to the school.
Report cards will go out Friday, Jan 12, 2024.
Students are just completing their iReady Math diagnostic along with our Winter mClass diagnostics.
MAP scores outline that students can support continued growth by practicing letter naming, letter sounds, blending, and fluency. Reading to your child or having your child read aloud is a great way to practice all of these things.
Parents can extend this learning by asking comprehension questions about what their child read.
iReady MyPath and Boost are also great ways you can support your child's academic growth at home.
Thank you!
COUNSELOR'S MESSAGE
In our counselor lessons this month in grades kindergarten through 3rd grade, we are learning about how to develop a growth mindset. Sometimes our brains can get stuck in negativity, especially when we’re learning new things. A growth mindset helps us remember that we are always learning and growing. Sometimes it might take us a little longer to learn something than someone else, but if we keep trying and working at it, our brains will get it eventually!
In 4th through 6th grades, we are reviewing testing strategies in preparation for the state tests coming up. We talk about general testing strategies, like skipping and coming back to tricky problems, reading the questions and possible answers before reading a passage, and eating a good breakfast before a test. Keeping a positive mindset and positive self talk, plus taking breaks to breathe and calm any testing anxiety, can help us use the parts of our brain that are really good at recalling information for tests.
The first full week in February is National School Counseling Week! I’m so grateful to be a school counselor with your children here at Willow Crest Elementary. They are wonderful! As always, reach out if you need anything! My email address is: hibbert_lindsay@asdk12.org
NURSE'S MESSAGE
10 Ways to Keep Your Child's Heart Healthy from www.childrens.com
Keep moving...exercise as a family
- Be positive
- Limit screen time
- Schedule checkups before sports season
- Go to the grocery store together to learn about nutrition labels
- Keep healthy snack options on hand for after school snacks
- Make dinner together as a family
- Check salt intake...avoid processed foods and keep salt shaker off table
- Stay involved...don't miss regular checkups with pediatrician
- Set realistic goals and limits
Cama'i Willow Crest Indigenous Learners! This month we started our Indigenous Education Afterschool Spring Tutoring Program, which runs from now until beginning of May. Please reach out to Mr. Tiede for enrollment and eligibility!