Dear Iroquois Families:
As we enter into the second semester, our team here at Iroquois engages in a number of mid-year meetings in order to measure the progress our students are making both in their academic and social-emotional growth and to plan for their further growth in the months ahead. We use data to reflect on how far our students have come this year and what goals and outcomes we are looking forward to accomplishing between now and June. This is a critical time when students build on the learning that has already taken place and extend their knowledge and skills by stretching themselves and working hard to set and achieve new goals.
We are also excited to share that in honor of Black History Month our school will be celebrating through a variety of activities and learning experiences throughout the month of February. Our goal is to increase student awareness of and appreciation for the many important contributions of Black and African-American communities to our rich history and modern culture. It is also our hope that students will find opportunities to celebrate their own connections and identities. Look for examples of these experiences and celebrations in the District’s website and social media pages.
Finally, I also want to take this opportunity to remind you that this year’s February Break will be February 20-24. We thank you for partnering with us in our daily work and we look forward to continuing to work together with you to ensure the best outcomes for your children this school year and beyond.
Regards,
Christian Zwahlen
Principal: Mr. Christian Zwahlen | christian_zwahlen@westiron.monroe.edu
Secretary: Ms. Susan Glastonbury | susan_glastonbury@westiron.monroe.edu
Main office: 585-336-0804
Fax: 585-336-3042
Website: https://irq.westirondequoit.org/
Health Office: 585-336-3091
- Nurse: 585-336-0816
Transportation: 585-336-2992 | Transportation website
District Office: 585-342-5500 | District website: westirondequoit.org
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!
Information for the 23/24 school year:
Attention parents of 4th graders
NYS mandates an updated physical for 5th grade. If your child has a physical this year please send a copy to the health office; any physical after 9/1/22 qualifies.
Attention parents of 5th graders
NYS mandates all 6th grade students have the Tdap vaccine prior to the start of 6th grade. If your child child has a physical and receives the Tdap vaccine please send in a copy to school.
Documents may be faxed 336-3042 or emailed mimi_buerkle@westiron.monroe.edu.
Parents/guardians: Please note that all students will go outdoors for recess as long as the temperature and wind-chill are 20 degrees or warmer. Students will need to wear hats, mittens or gloves, boots and snow pants to play in the snow. Students lacking proper clothing will still go outdoors but will remain on the sidewalk with limited play. Please remember to send appropriate outside play clothing in everyday! Due to COVID, we will not be able to lend outdoor clothes on the days students forget. Let us know if you need any help with cold weather clothing.
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 parent portal or send in a note with your child. Thank you!
