Simis Scoop
January 26th 2024
Principal's Letter
A Note from Mrs. Murray
Hi Simis Families,
I hope the start of the second semester is going well for each family. Our annual fundraiser kicks off next week! This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and families to get involved to support our school community. Every student is able to participate in the Fun Run regardless of donations. Your support and participation are greatly appreciated and help fund programs like DIGGS, Art Masterpiece, Teacher Appreciation, IB, our resources for our special areas, PBIS, recess equipment, and Teacher Grants. Stay tuned to find out what the school wide incentive is if we meet our goal! In other exciting news, I am proud to share that our spelling bee finalists represented our school well at the district spelling bee. Their hard work and dedication paid off, and they made us all proud!
I would also like to remind you that parent-teacher conferences will be taking place next week. In grades K-1 teachers are looking forward to meeting with you and discussing your child's progress; in grades 2-4, students are each to share with parents their progress and reflections on the year thus far. We value your involvement in your child's education and believe that our collaboration and communication about school will help them reach their full potential.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership in your child's education. All of the Simis team truly appreciate being members of such a wonderful community of parents, students, and staff at our school. Wishing you all a great week ahead!
Best regards,
Mrs. Murray
What's Happening in Classrooms?
Informances at Simis
Grades 1-4 participate in an "informance" each year. This snapshot of student learning from special area classes showcases some of the fun concepts students get to explore in art, music, PE and Spanish. Kindergartners perform for their parents at the end of the year in classrooms as a celebration of their whole year. This week, 3rd grade started their informances and put on quite a show! We hope our families who attend enjoy each informance!
100th Day of School!
IB Unit Assessments
Throughout each IB unit of study, students learn transdisciplinary concepts and think critically about the world around them. Often, teachers use project based assessments to measure students' mastery of concepts taught. This week, our 3rd graders participated in "Shark Tank" to showcase their learning about available resources and supply and demand through research, writing, and math skills. Students created a product, wrote a pitch, and "sold" the items at an auction in their classes. Seeing the pride on student faces when a peer bought a product from them, or when they accurately read their memorized speech was definitely a special moment!
International Baccalaureate (IB)
IB Learner Profile Trait: Communicator
For the month of February, our IB learner profile trait is "communicator". What does it mean to be a communicator? As a communicator, we understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication. We work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.
This is an important trait to reinforce at home. Students are learning that part of communicating is being good at listening. Through community circle, students are able to have agency with their thoughts and ideas and they are able to feel heard. At home, we can encourage our students to express their ideas but also listen to the perspectives of others.
Student Wellness
Supporting Students By Explicitly Teaching Expectations
We are noticing that there is an increase in defiant and disrespectful behavior by students in classrooms. Teachers know that classroom culture and environment is critical to creating a safe learning space for all students. At Simis, all classrooms are continuing to incorporate RULER lessons and Community Circles to build positive rapport and relationships in the classroom. Students are given opportunities to visit a calm down center to practice self-regulation skills when having a hard time following expectations.
This next month, we will explicitly teach students how to following directions and receive feedback respectfully in class. This includes having students make eye contact with the adult, respond by saying "okay" and doing the expected task the right away. For example, if a recess monitor asks a student to slide down the slide rather than climb up the slide, the student would look at the adult, say okay, and stop climbing up the slide. Here is an article that provides insight into how students receive feedback and how we can work to frame feedback to have positive interactions with one another.
Updates from the Health Office
Notes from Nurse Megan
Please do not send medication to school in your student's backpack. Students should not hold onto their own medication at school. Administer medications before or after school. If your student requires medication administration during the school day, please contact the health office for assistance.
Please return any clothing (washed) that your student has borrowed from the health office. We rely heavily on these items and don't want to have to send students home when they need clothes.
Health Office reminder
Your student must stay home for a full 24 hours after fever, vomiting or diarrhea. For example, if your student is sent home with a fever on Monday, they will automatically be excused from school on Tuesday. We will welcome that back to school on Wednesday if they are symptom free without the use of medication. Thank you for being considerate of our school community and keeping your child home when sick.
Contact Nurse Megan at 602-664-7322 or mbefort@madisoned.org with any questions/concerns. Thank you!
Important Dates
3rd Grade Informance- Mrs. Magnusson's Class
Monday, Jan 29, 2024, 07:45 AM
3rd Grade Informance- Mrs. Abel's Class
Tuesday, Jan 30, 2024, 07:45 AM
TCT 1pm Early Release
Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024, 01:00 PM
Spring Conferences Start
Wednesday, Jan 31, 2024, 10:00 AM
Spring Conferences- Half Day Dismissal
Thursday, Feb 1, 2024, 11:00 AM
Spring Conferences- Half Day Dismissal
Friday, Feb 2, 2024, 11:00 AM
Fun Run (times vary by grade)
Friday, Feb 9, 2024, 07:45 AM
Simis Dads Club PATS Movie Night (Trolls World Tour!)
Friday, Feb 16, 2024, 05:30 PM
Madison Simis
Feed My Starving Children Schoolwide Volunteer Event
Simis will be hosting another schoolwide volunteer event this spring! We will be volunteering as a community at Feed My Starving Children to help pack rice packs. The rice packs will be shipped around the world to feed malnourished children. We have 200 spots reserved for our group (anyone 5 and older can participate). Click here to sign up
Saturday, Feb 17, 2024, 02:00 PM
1345 S Alma School Rd, Mesa, AZ 85210, USA
Spring Testing Grade 3 and 4
Library Information
Did you know?
Families can browse through all the selections in the electronic library by browsing in the Destiny Discover website.
Hello Simis Families,
I am looking for a volunteer (or two) to help specifically with a bulletin board/signage in the library. if you are a creative individual who has experience making bulletin boards, signs, or experience with a Cricut machine, this is a huge plus! I have some ideas to pass on, but there is plenty of opportunity for you to run with this! This commitment would be a couple of hours a month.
Please contact me if you are interested or have any questions: kcrum@madisoned.org
Thank you for your help!
Mrs. Crum
Simis Site Council Updates
General Announcements
Parent/Guardian Opportunities
THRIVE Parent Information Series
Madison School District has modules available to families in the THRIVE section of the Madison website. These short and informative videos with experts in the field provide families with resources to approach and support their child in ways that align with the students of the Alpha and iGeneration.
School Lunch Visitor Registration Form
Sign up for a lunch visit here! Please read the details on the sign up form for more information.
As a reminder, we ask that all parents sit with their child at the visitor's table in the cafeteria and say goodbye as students head out to recess. Siblings cannot attend with parents/visitors.