The Clayville Chroncile
April 2021 Edition
From the Desk of Mrs. Francis
Beginning the week of April 12th, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 will take an on-line test of mathematics and English Language Arts proficiency called The Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System (RICAS). 2018 was the first year of administering the new RICAS, which is aligned to the Common Core State Standards.
Students in grade 5 will also take the Rhode Island Next Generation Science Assessment (NGSA). The NGSA was administered for the first time as a census field test in 2018. This year, we will receive student scores in the fall. Teachers and students have been working hard and are prepared!
*While we will receive the scores from this testing, the results will not count towards school accountability for the 2020-2021 school year.
Visit http://www.ride.ri.gov/InstructionAssessment/Overview.aspx for more information.
Warm Regards,
Courtney Francis
Announcements and Reminders
- Reports cards will be sent home on April 6th. Students in grades 1-4 will receive a parent update aligned to our American Reading Company curriculum. Students in grades K and 1 will also receive a Bridges Math report.
Please note, masks must be worn on school grounds at all times. This includes dismissal and while using the school’s playground equipment. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
- The district has immediate openings for part time and full time bus monitors. Please call 647-4100 for an application.
Parent Tips For Building Math Skills At Home
Communicating with Children Using Math Language
Talking About Math:
Talking about mathematics with your child – whatever his or her age – helps strengthen his or her mathematical reasoning and understanding. Some ways to keep the talk engaged and focused while you support your child include:
Revoice - Repeat what you heard your child say, then ask for clarification (e.g., “So you are saying it’s an odd number?”).
Repeat/Restate – Ask your child to restate your reasoning (e.g., “Can you repeat what I said in your own words?”).
Reason – Ask your child to apply his or her own reasoning to someone else’s reasoning (e.g., “Do you agree or disagree? Tell me why.”).
Adding On – Prompt your child to participate further (e.g., “What more would you add to that?”).
Think Time – Wait several seconds (try five) to give your child time to think (e.g., “Take some time to think.”). You may be surprised by how hard it is to stay silent in that time!
Everyday Mathematics:
Daily Decisions
We all use mathematics daily in what we do. Involve your child in using numbers to solve problems and make those everyday decisions with you. For example:
- “Do we have enough plates and utensils for all the guests coming for the birthday party?”
- “We are doubling this recipe. How much of all the ingredients will we need?”
- “We are fertilizing the lawn. The fertilizer bag covers three square meters. How many will we need?”
- “This store is selling the game you want for 20% off of $27.00. That store is selling the same game for $19.99. Where should we shop?”
Growth Mindset in Math
In general, a growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and ‘smartness’ can also be learned and that the brain grows from experience and effort. The opposite, a fixed mindset, is the idea that you are smart, or you are not. In math, that translates into “some people are good at math, and some are not.” Did you know that praising efforts rather than intelligence or results can impact your child’s ability to persevere in challenges?! The goal is to have children thrive on challenges and see failures, not as a sign of low intelligence, but as a learning opportunity. Brain research tells us that making mistakes actually wires more connections into the brain! When a person has a growth mindset, they accept challenges, see their efforts as worthwhile, and are open to learning from mistakes. Students with a growth mindset achieve at higher levels than those with fixed mindsets. How can you help? Some simple ways:
- Adding “yet” when they claim they are “not good at this” (Respond: “You are not good at this yet.”)
- Ask questions that focus on their effort and choices and get them to reflect on satisfaction of that effort (e.g. What did you learn today? What mistake did you make that taught you something? What did you try hard at today?)
- Model this yourself as you share about your day
Source: EduGains. Permission granted to school leaders to include these ideas in communications (e.g. newsletters, websites) with parents/guardians.
Scituate Kindergarten Registration for the 2021-2022 School Year
SCITUATE KINDERGARTEN REGISTRATION DATE SET FOR 2020-2021
●Children who will be five years old by September 1, 2021 are eligible to attend kindergarten in September 2021. The Scituate School Department requires registration for Kindergarten in Scituate.
●The registration for all three Scituate elementary schools is now digital and is live starting March 1, 2021.
●Parents of children scheduled to attend kindergarten this fall should contact the school of attendance so that a registration packet can be sent to you prior to the registration date.
Clayville School:
3 George Washington Highway, Clayville
Phone: 647-4115
Hope School:
391 North Road, Hope
Phone: 821-3651
North Scituate School:
46 Institute Lane, North Scituate
Phone: 647-4110
If you have a question regarding which school your child will attend based on your address, please contact the Scituate School Department at 401-647-4100. Be advised that the Scituate School Department reserves the right to selectively redistrict your child to another Scituate elementary school based on class size issues. In most years this involves a relatively small number of students.
WANTED: School Improvement Team Parent & Community Members
Please email me (Courtney.Francis@ScituateSchoolsRI.net) directly if you are interested in serving on this important committee. Meetings will take place no less than quarterly. Thank you for your consideration.
Welcome Ms. Ricci!
Thank You for Your Donations!
Amos House Fundraiser
Pennies for Patients!
Clayville School is proud to take part in the Pennies for Patients fundraiser and will be collected donations from March 8-26! All donations benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This year our school donated $1,875.72! The top fundraising class was Ms. Radtke's kindergarten class! Enjoy your pizza lunch! Kudos to our top 5 online fundraisers: Landon B (k), Caleb J. (2), Aiden P. (1), Jilliana P. (2), and Anthony M. (2).
Special thanks to Ms. Colvin for organizing this important fundraiser and to our school community for your generosity.
Kids Heart Challenge!
Shout out to Mr. Ceprano for running this fundraising event!
Spring Picture Day
PAWSitive Office Referrals
Curriculum Highlights
PreK Explorers
K Mathematicians
Grade 1: Family Stories
Grade 2 & 3 DLs Are Finding The Right Fit and Hitting Homeruns
Grade 3 Writers!
Grade 4 Mystery & Forensic Science
Grade 5: Comparing the Polio Epidemic to Covid-19
Art Highlights from Ms. Davis
Dr. Seuss Poster Contest Winners!
Grade K: Ella W
Grade 1: Aiden P
Grade 2: Minka S
Grade 3: A tie between Lily B and Kylie H
Grade 4: Reagan C
Grade 5: Alivia G
Honorable Mentions
Grade K- Francesca M & Landon B
Grade 1- Hunter A& Liana D
Grade 2- Anthony M & Fiona R
Grade 3- Kevin B & Aliyah G
Grade 4- Avery L, Venezio S, & Dylan P
Grade 5- Gabriella D, William B & Talea L
Grades 1-4 Reading Celebration!
Kudos to Mrs. Cardarelli for facilitating this celebration!
Read Across America Spirit Week!
Mismatch Sock Day!
Crazy Hat Day
Rainbow Day
100th Day of School!
Notes from Mrs. Theroux
Adult stage Deer ticks are back!
Current Tick Activity in New England and Mid Atlantic United States
Warmer temperatures in the eastern USA and north Pacific region are bringing ticks out earlier than usual. If you find a tick this month, take a picture, and submit it to TickSpotters!
For more information visit: https://tickencounter.org/
PTO Fundraiser: White Green Cloths!
Sponsored by the the Scituate PE/Health Dept & the Adventure Club
News from the Scituate School Committee
PTO Update
We will be discussing our upcoming Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser and a virtual event for Clayville families. We hope to see you there!
Dates to Remember:
- 4/2: No School - Good Friday
- 4/6: Spring Picture Day
- 4/6: School Committee Meeting @ 7 p.m.
- 4/14: PTO Meeting @ 6:30 p.m. (virtual)
- 4/14 & 4/15: RICAS ELA Testing - Grade 5
- 4/19-4/23: No School - Spring Recess
- 4/28 & 4/29: RICAS ELA Testing - Grades 3 & 4
Stay in Touch!
Email: Courtney.Francis@ScituateSchoolsRI.net
Website: https://clayville.scituateschoolsri.net/
Location: 3 George Washington Highway, Clayville, RI, USA
Phone: 4016474115
Twitter: @Mrs_Francis7