Comets' Corner
Twain Update - Week of Sunday, October 11, 2020
With Kindness, Flexibility, & Grace, we will create a wonderful year of learning together! #TeamTwain
Families & Staff - Working Together
GoToMeeting Behavior Expectations
In the past few weeks, we've had a few behavior issues come up in our virtual meetings, so I want to take a moment to review with families what our expectations are for both students and their family members during our synchronous GTM times.- Students must sign in with their own name/ grade level for each meeting.
- We expect that students will follow all of our ROCKS behavior expectations while they are in their virtual class meetings (please see above), just as we expect them to do in our classrooms.
- Students should not be playing video games, lying in their bed, wrestling with pets, or joking with siblings during our virtual lessons. While we know these aren't ideal circumstances, this is how students need to get a majority of their instruction right now. This is crucial learning time for our students.
- Parents & Learning Coaches - Please be mindful of your behavior, too. If you are yelling (or swearing) during these meetings, the other students are hearing that, too. Not only is it not productive for your own learner, it is definitely not helpful for our other learners to hear that.
- Please also be mindful of what background actions end up on your child's screen. We want to preserve your family's privacy and avoid exposing other children to inappropriate situations.
Please also remind your students that if they misuse our GoToMeetings to "bomb" (log into) other meetings than their own and cause disruption, there will be consequences as guided by our Student Code of Conduct and Board Policies. We must all work together to make sure our students are getting the most out of our virtual learning opportunities.
Daily Health Screener Reminders
As a few of our families noticed, I did not send the daily screener every day this past week. At this point, I've sent it several times, and it's also in this newsletter each week. I suggest you set a reminder in your phone for the days your student attends Twain. The link doesn't change, so you could even include the link in your reminder. Thank you for continuing to help us keep sick students home to keep others healthy and keep us open for learning.
If your child is at all unwell, you must keep them home.
myOn: Enhanced Digital Books; Enhanced Reading Growth!
Required Benchmark Testing Make-Ups This Week
By the end of the day on Friday, we need to have ALL of our students' benchmark testing completed. Please do not ignore emails or phone calls from our staff about scheduling virtual testing times. This testing is required by State law and crucial to help us make educational decisions about how to best support your child's learning at Mark Twain.
It is VERY important virtual students complete these assessments without assistance. When parents assist with these assessments, we do not get a true picture of your child's abilities, and they may miss out on needed support.
Solid Gold Shout Outs!
The following students are receiving Solid Gold Shout Outs from their teacher for their ROCKS behaviors last week:
Joselyn Cornwell - 1st Grade
"Joselyn has had a positive, cheery attitude and contagious smile every day!" - Mrs. Palus
Harrison Platt - 1st Grade
"Harrison has been a prepared and an eager participant at every class meeting!" - Mrs. Palus
Sean Shellnut - 1st Grade
"Sean is always so positive and motivated to learn. Last week he raised his hand to volunteer numerous times. He even came up to the board to help me teach the reading lesson. We are all so proud of Sean!" - Mrs. Shock
Sawyer Dennis - 2nd Grade
"Sawyer is a model of responsibility. She always has her items during our online and F2F learning time and completes all of her assignments having used her personal best effort." - Mrs. Barker
Alexander Dietrich - 2nd Grade
"Alex has been so KIND in class. I have noticed Alex include a new Mark Twain Comet at recess many times. He came to a classmate's aid when she dropped all of her materials. Keep up the great work, Alex! You are a ROCKSTAR!!" - Mrs. Szeliga
Liam Chambers - 3rd Grade
"Liam has really made our new student, Ay'Den, feel welcome in our classroom. They both have similar interests that lead to great conversations as they play near each other at recess. Thank you, Liam, for being a KIND and welcoming friend!!" - Mrs. Riffe
Macy Whitehead - 4th Grade
"Maci was the first student in my class to turn in her October Mystery Picture. Way to go, Maci! Great Organization!" - Mrs. Offer
Kristin Evola - 5th Grade
"Kristin has done a fabulous job of becoming a part of the Twain family. She is new to our school, but she has done her best to learn our programs and R.O.C.K.S. behavior expectations. She's a fantastic addition to Mark Twain!!." - Mrs. Lombard
Olivia Morgan - 5th Grade
"Olivia is doing a fantastic job of keeping up with her work and she does a great job participating in our GTM lessons. She is positive, polite, and showing responsibility in having work done every day as it is assigned! Keep up the great work and attitude! Way to Go, Liv!" - Mrs. Lombard & Mrs. Schop
Isabella Griebe - 5th Grade
"Isabella is great at cooperation and is always taking chances in her learning and participating during virtual lessons. She is organized and always has her work done." - Mrs. Schop
Izayah Kamara - 5th Grade
"Izayah is polite and respectful. He uses his manners and did a great job being responsible and trying to catch up on his work this week." - Mrs. Schop
Riley S. - 6th Grade
"Riley has done an amazing job as a virtual student. He participates in live classes appropriately every single day. I love that I can see his face, he raises his hand and volunteers in every lesson. He is a great example of how to be a successful virtual student. :-) Riley also does a great job sending polite correspondence back and forth with both of his 6th grade teachers. Way to go, Riley!" - Mrs. Park
Congratulations to these ROCKSTARS! Keep up the great work!
Early Release Day - Mark Your Calendar!
- Afternoon classes will not meet for live virtual instruction.
- In addition, students attending 12:50 specials on this day may find recorded sessions.
- Teachers will be in professional development on this afternoon.
Red Ribbon Week - October 26th to October 30th
In H.E.A.R.T. class your child receives many lessons, one of which is safety with medicines and drugs. This year your child’s H.E.A.R.T. teacher will continue this very important topic during Red Ribbon Week. Learning how to get away from a dangerous situation, standing up to peer pressure, knowing the effects of drugs on the human body, and taking medicines properly/only when prescribed a trusted adult are just a few of the many topics taught in HEART class (all at the grade level of your child).
Also, this year grades 4-6 will have the opportunity to enter a poster contest. Your child’s HEART teacher will be giving students more details in the coming weeks.
Stay Safe and Healthy!
Mrs. Asoklis & Mr. Anderson
So What's This UDL Stuff All About?
Twain staff members continue to look for ways to implement the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) with our learners.
Now that I'm sharing regular updates about these efforts, I want to provide families with some more background about UDL and why we are making it a priority in our Fraser classrooms.
Please check out the link below to learn more about what UDL is and how we are working towards breaking down barriers and providing equity for all of our students.
More Information to follow soon about a virtual MTPC meeting in October; we hope to see you there!
Fraser Public Safety Coat Drive
APPLY NOW: FREE AND REDUCED COST MEALS
Families must re-apply for Free or Reduced Cost Meals yearly. If you think you may be eligible for Free or Reduced Meals, APPLY HERE NOW.
Visit https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/FreeReducedMeals for more information.
Technology Support
If you need direct assistance with your child's iPad or any of the websites or educational programs they use, please click here to submit a ticket into our district Tech Support.
Contact Our Twain Office With Questions
Important Contact Information:
Main Office Phone: 586-439-6900
Absentee Phone Line: 586-439-6990
(This is a 24-hour recorded line; please leave your child's reason for absence and length of time out. Absences reported to this line ensure most timely and accurate record.)
Fax: 586-439-6801
Twain Principal: Mrs. Laura Woods
Email: laura.woods@fraserk12.org
Due to Covid-19 health risks, we are not allowing parents or guests into the building except in very specific situations and ONLY with an appointment. Please call the office or send us an email if you’d like to discuss a concern.
School Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Beverly Dobosenski (Ms. D.)
Email: beverly.dobosenski@fraserk12.org
Twain Office Hours - 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
School Hours: 8:35am – 3:30pm (Small-Group Cohorts meet from 8:35 am -12:00 pm)
First Bell: 8:30 am
Instructional Bell: 8:35 am
Students must be in class by 8:35 am, or they are marked tardy.
Email: laura.woods@fraserk12.org
Website: https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/Domain/14
Location: 30601 Calahan Road, Roseville, MI, USA
Phone: 5864396900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamTwainFraser
Twitter: @LWoodsTwain