Homecroft Elementary News
February 2020 update v1
February News
By the way, if you're wondering about some of the best books ever for kids, here is a list from an organization called "WhytoRead"; I think you will be surprised how many of them you (or your child) have read:
- Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
- The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
- The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
- Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
- Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Suess
- The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
- The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
- Alice's Adventures in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Check http://whytoread.com/kids-books-best-books-for-children/ for a little more information on each of these books.
And parents, if we adults need a little convincing about the importance of reading, here are ‘WhytoRead’s top ten reasons to read more books:
- It develops your verbal abilities.
- It improves your focus and concentration.
- It helps you enjoy the arts (and improve the world!).
- It improves your imagination.
- It makes you smarter.
- It makes you interesting and attractive.
- It reduces stress.
- It improves your memory.
- It helps you discover and create yourself.
- It is entertaining.
We have a lot coming in the weeks ahead at Homecroft. Please take a moment to check out what's going on and what's coming up!
No School
PTA Spirit Week Activities
Kindergarten Round Up
Buzz Badge Recipients
What do I do when my child is struggling academically/behaviorally?
The first thing to do is have a conversation with the teacher about what you are seeing and/or experiencing from your son/daughter. We have a process at Homecroft to help our students. Typically, teachers identify which students may need additional help/support through our fall/winter/spring benchmark process. Once needs are identified, interventions are put into place. Interventions must be given time to determine if they are/are not successful. If interventions are not successful, a student may be referred on for further support. Further support may look like Reading Corps, working with our reading intervention teacher, and or referral for Special Education. The process does take some time and parental input is valued.
There are many variables that go into how to best meet a student's needs, and please be in touch if you have questions and/or concerns.
Duluth Ballet Outreach Program Visits Homecroft
Take Note: March 10 Emergency Communications Test
Communication is important, especially during a school emergency.
On Tuesday March 10, Duluth Public Schools and the Duluth Police Department will conduct a test of emergency technologies such as alert systems, two-way radios and school building communications.
The test will include Infinite Campus Parent Portal notifications.
- On March 10, you may receive a test phone call, text or email from your school or from the district.
- The message will clearly state “This is a test of Duluth Public Schools notification systems."
- No response is necessary on your part.
We appreciate your patience as we test our emergency notification systems on March 10.
Update: ISD 709 Boundary Project
Duluth School Board to Consider Phased Approach to Boundary Project
During the Duluth School Board’s February 11, 2020 Business Committee meeting, Superintendent Bill Gronseth presented an administrative recommendation for next steps in the Boundary Study. The recommendation is based on feedback received during the first two phases of the process and involved work groups, focus groups, an online survey and two community meetings.
Watch the Board meeting, discussion begins at 2:45:24.
The recommendation for next steps is to develop a phased approach for the Board and community to consider.
● The first phase would be (1) to consider smaller adjustments to elementary school boundaries to make room at critical areas of over-capacity (2) to consider strategies regarding the immersion programs at Lowell Elementary. A draft proposal would be shared with the community and Board this spring. If feasible, adjustments could take place as early as September 2020.
● The second phase would entail the creation of a work group to do more research and work on developing recommendations for high school/middle school boundary adjustments and explore additional strategies. That work could take place over the next school year, the earliest any changes might be implemented is September 2021.
Are You Getting Ready to Send Your Child to September 2020 Kindergarten?
Check out our Kindergarten Roundup events, too - we look forward to meeting you!
ISD 709 Elementary Schools provide a rich learning experience for students grades K-5.
- Highly skilled, caring teachers
- Fun, engaging, creative learning activities
- Music, Art, Physical Education, Media
- Reading, Math, Social Studies, Science
- Emphasis on Family Partnership
- Community partnerships for learning