Bird School News
September 2020
A Note from Principal Toepfer...
Hello CH Bird Families!
We launch Distance Learning to start the 2020-2021 school year on Tuesday, September 8th! Our teachers have been hard at work and have amazing things planned for the start to the school year, even if it is different than we all could have imagined. Speaking of different, our school has had major work done since you were last there. Check out this video to learn about all of the changes to the interior of our school, including the debut of a new Blue Jay mascot!
A reminder that we have Distance Learning Material Pick Up and Kindergarten Orientation this week! Even if you already have your district issued electronic device, we have a lot of materials for you, including; log in information for your students new class (Seesaw, Freckle and more), books to read during the first reading unit, math manipulatives and other materials that will support your student’s engagement in Distance Learning this fall.
As we had in the spring, we will continue to have a CH Bird Family Distance Learning Site. Here you can find information about access to resources, technology support, and we will be posting grade level weekly plans to the grade level pages each week. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything! We are here for you!
Lastly and most importantly, at CH Bird, our staff are committed to increasing our racial consciousness, actively pursuing anti-bias and anit-racist teaching practices and examining our own practices to grow together in order to meet the needs of our students, families, and community. We are dedicated to racial justice in educational outcomes and beyond. For these reasons and in acknowledgement and solidarity with our Black families who have been and continue to be impacted by systemic racism, Black Lives Matter is on our CH Bird sign. We look forward to continuing the work it takes to make real and lasting change and a great school year ahead with our Blue Jays.
Sending love to our Blue Jay families,
Nicole Toepfer
Attendance in Distance Learning
This fall we will be taking attendance each day of distance learning: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Attendance will not be taken on Wednesday. We know that a student needs to be present and practicing their new skills regularly to be successful. We also know that family schedules are different and some students will do their learning in the morning and some in the evening. Students will have the entire school day, including the evening hours, to engage with learning and be considered present for class each day, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
If you would like to learn more click here / Spanish version, review the document, and reach out with any questions.
Grading in Distance Learning
Grading in Distance Learning
This fall we will be returning to proficiency grading. Students will receive a 0-4 based on their mastery of a standard (see details below). Learning targets and the criteria to demonstrate success will be clearly communicated with families.
Proficiency Level Statements
4 - Extended Mastery of Standards - Student consistently exceeds proficiency.
Demonstrates a deeper understanding of the standards
Evidence of learning extends to higher-level thinking strategies or creative connectedness
Evidence of learning exceeds grade-level expectations
3 - Mastering Standards - Student consistently meets proficiency:
Demonstrates an understanding of the standards
Evidence of learning contains few or minor errors
Evidence of learning meets grade-level expectations
2 - Approaching Standards - Student is approaching proficiency:
Demonstrates basic understanding of the standards with gaps and errors
Evidence of learning is inconsistent or incomplete
Evidence of learning is below grade-level expectations
1 - Limited Understanding of Standards - Student needs improvement to meet proficiency:
Evidence of learning is significantly below grade-level expectations
0 - No Evidence - Student:
No Evidence to assess
Additionally, families will be provided with feedback about student progress (SeeSaw, end of unit assessments, etc.) at least 2 times per quarter for literacy and math.
If you would like to learn more click here / Spanish version, review the document, and reach out with any questions.
A Message from the Student Services Team:
Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year, Bird families. This year is starting unlike any other and we wanted to let you know we are here to support you and your children as you navigate this unique start. Our priority is your child's social and emotional wellbeing. Please let your child's teacher know if they are struggling or need extra support as the school year begins. They will connect you with us so we can help!
Jeannie Morriss, School Counselor, Andrea Carpenter, School Psychologist and Hannah Sosnosky, School Social Worker
Distance Learning Expectations:
If you talk with your child they can probably tell you that following the Blue Jay Way at CH Bird means being safe, responsible and respectful. As our year begins with distance learning, we are emphasizing these Distance Learning Expectations & Spanish Version that will help the Bird community learn, grow and be well throughout our first quarter and beyond. Your child will be learning, practicing and modeling these expectations with their class as well!
Social Emotional Learning:
Social emotional learning (SEL) is all about educating kids and adults about the skills we need to care for each other, take care of our own feelings and needs, solve problems peacefully and become lifelong learners. As one part of our SEL plan for Bird, we will begin to use Second Step, a research- and evidenced-based curriculum to teach these skills. Lessons will be shared with students via Seesaw during distance learning and beyond by the school counselor and our teachers. One of the great things about Second Step is that there are many resources for families that we will be sharing throughout the year, including a podcast for families called Imagination Neighborhood. This 10-minute episode gives some great suggestions about how caregivers can support kids as we transition to our new, unconventional school year. Check it out and look for more great resources to come your way this year!
Library News
Check it out! https://sites.google.com/sunprairieschools.org/bird-library/library-resources
For even more tutorials to help you with distance learning check out https://sites.google.com/sunprairieschools.org/tech-tutorials/home.
Introducing our newly, redesigned CH Bird Mascot!
STATEMENT OF NONDISCRIMINATION
No student may be unlawfully discriminated against in any school programs, activities or in facilities usage because of the student’s sex (gender identity, gender expressions, and non-conformity to gender role stereotypes), color, religion, profession, or demonstration of belief or non-belief, race, national origin (including limited English proficiency), ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, homelessness status, sexual orientation, age, or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability. Harassment is a form of discrimination and shall not be tolerated in the District. It is the responsibility of administrators, staff members and all students to ensure that student discrimination or harassment does not occur.
(SPASD District Policy JB)
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Spanish, please contact us at 608-834-6620. Si un estudiante, padre ó guardian prefiere tener esta información traducida en Español, por favor contactenos en el 608-834-6620.
If a student or parent/guardian would prefer to have this information translated into Hmong, please contact us at 608-834-6630. Yog tus me nyuam lub xiv los yog niam thiab txiv/tus neeg muaj cai saib xyuas tus me nyuam xav tau qhov ntawv ntawm no ua lus Hmoob, thov hais rau peb paub rau ntawm 608-834-6630.
NEW NOTICE OF SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICIES ON SEX DISCRIMINATION, THE DISTRICT’S TITLE IX COORDINATOR, AND PROCEDURES FOR REPORTING OR FILING A COMPLAINT OF SEX DISCRIMINATION
The Sun Prairie Area School District (“District”) does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that the District operates. Title IX’s requirement not to discriminate in any education program or activity extends to cover, but is not limited to, District students, certain admissions processes, and District employment. To access the relevant policy and procedures you can go to the District’s website. For inquiries regarding how Title IX and the federal Title IX regulations apply to the District please contact the District’s Title IX Coordinator, (the Director of Student Policy & School Operations, 501 S. Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI 53590, 608-834-6624 or by email at titleixcoordinator@sunprairieschools.org.)
About us
Website: www.sunprairieschools.org/ch-bird
Location: 1170 North Bird Street, Sun Prairie, WI, USA
Phone: (608) 834-7300
Facebook: facebook.com/chbirdelementaryschool