Hughes' Highlights
Let Your Light Shine at Jefferson Elementary
Positive Thoughts = Positive Results!
Please continue to reach out to us for anything that would help make things easier on you - copies, coverage, etc. Remember we've got your back!
Mattie
Updated Quarantine & Isolation Guidance
What can we do in our classrooms?
- Continue to strongly encourage student wearing of face coverings.
- Make sure you are cleaning/wiping high-touch surfaces throughout the day. Please let us know if supplies are needed.
- Use seating arrangements in your classroom that minimize the possibilities for close contacts. If you use centers, condense space there so that classroom seating is maxed out as much as possible. If you have pods, make sure they are 3 ft from another pod.
- Monitor students and encourage them to keep their hands to themselves.
- Provide opportunities for frequent handwashing and sanitizing.
- Reach out to Nurse Baker if a student is exhibiting any symptoms or if a parent indicates that a student is not feeling well (or that there has been an exposure).
We will come around to check and assist with classroom setups. This variant appears to be more contagious, especially with us just coming from break where families were together. We want to reduce the number of students in isolation or quarantine. Thank you so much for going above and beyond as we navigate the pandemic together. We are here to help in any way so please reach out if you need anything at all.
DreamBox and IXL PD
DreamBox and IXL are also excellent programs to use during intervention time if used intentionally and if students are monitored. Both programs provide feedback on where students may need assistance so please use these programs as a tool to drive instruction. By working on individual skills where students may be struggling or that were identified through MAP testing, we are able to close the gaps and increase student achievement.
(Note: If you are ready for your students to begin in the computer lab prior to January 24th, please let Ms. Yarborough know - the sooner, the better!)
Student Supervision
Please work out a plan with your teammates or a work buddy for coverage if you need to leave the room for an emergency. You are always welcome to radio the office for coverage, and we are happy to come stay with your class until you are able to return. As a team, we can help each other!
MAP Reading Fluency
For those of you administering Map Reading Fluency, you can do so as it suits your schedule in your classroom on iPads or in Lab 2 (as it is available). A calendar for sign-ups is outside of the lab. Please keep in mind that Ms. Snow uses the room and her schedule is posted as well. Schoolwide, we have 30 headphones to share. If you have any headphones for MRF in your room for some reason, those need to be returned to Lab 2. If you need the headphones for administration in your rooms on iPads, please make sure the time doesn't conflict with someone who plans to use the lab so that we have enough headphones to cover.
Literacy Updates from Ms. Baker
It is officially DRA time again. I know many of you are well on your way to completing this task. Please see below for a few reminders and updates. I am here to support you in any way so please don't hesitate to reach out.
There is a section in the JES Literacy Binder course on Canvas just for DRA. Please refer to the York School District One K- 4 DRA Protocol for reminders if needed. During our December Coaches meeting we were reminded to encourage teachers to refer to the protocol so that we are consistent across the district. Notice - located at the bottom of page 2 under item #4 On the outside of the folder write the end of the year independent level only.
Please follow the DRA Guidelines for 2021-22 also found in Canvas in the JES Literacy Binder. Make note of the accelerate levels for Benchmark #2 and If a student reaches the ACCELERATED LEVEL for this administration window, the DRA should be stopped and the teachers should have a one-on-one conversation with the literacy coach to determine the teaching points/next course of action.
Remember to put folders in my box for students who have moved. If you are missing folders for students from other in district schools let me know who they are and what school and I will work to locate them. If you need a new folder they are located on the first table in my room, please take only what you need.
Updates and Reminders
- Budget time is soon approaching! Begin thinking about our needs. We value your input!
- Thank you for sharing photos of the awesome things happening in our classrooms! Please remember that students need to either have on masks or be socially distanced in photos in order to meet our district requirements. Please send any photos you take to Megan via email or text (803-322-0158). In addition, if you have something exciting going on in your room, please invite us. We would love to share in that experience with you and your students if we are available to attend.
- If you did not receive a call and email from the communication last Thursday regarding quarantines and isolation, please make sure Tiffany has your correct phone number. Any emergency school closure would be delivered in the same fashion.
- Don't forget that any communication regarding student absences (including through Remind) needs to be emailed to Ms. Brown and Mrs. Hoyt (and the nurse, if necessary).
- If you are not getting your daily symptom tracker in your email, please let Mrs. Hughes know. These must be completed before entering the building each morning.
- If you have a student who received a retention letter with their report card, please send their name to Ms. Hughes.
- Connected As One Campaign - You are invited to nominate an individual who exemplifies one or more district commitments. We have created a way for you to submit your nomination electronically by clicking here. Let's celebrate each other!
The Week Ahead
January 9
Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
January 10
New RISE groups begin
January 11
School Board Meeting at 6:30 pm
January 12
Certified Staff Meeting at 2:50 in Media Center (Topic: Data Dive)
And Then Beyond...
January 17
No School - MLK Day
Updated SEL Winter Survey Window - Jan 18 to Jan 28
January 19
Certified Staff Meeting at 2:50 in Media Center (Topic: Teaching, Modeling, Demonstrating)
ACCESS Testing Window - Jan 24 to Mar 12
Week of Jan 24 - PLC Week
January 24
100th Day of School
February 2
Professional Collaboration Day - Dismiss at 11:45
February 3
RTI Meetings During Planning
Week of Feb 7 - National School Counseling Week
Week of Feb 7 - PLC Week
February 8
School Board Meeting at 6:30 pm
Week of Feb 14 - Random Act of Kindness Week
February 14
Valentine's Day
February 16
Working Wednesday - 1st and 2nd Grade meet with RISE in E. Baker's Room
February 17
4K Parent Conferences
February 18
Teacher Workday (PD Focus: Quality Work)
February 21
No School - Bad Weather Makeup Day