Phoenix Newsletter for October
-Principal Obed Morales
Message from Mr. Pagan
I can't believe we are already in November. I have had an exciting couple of months here at East. I must say that the community has been so welcoming and I appreciate all of the love that everyone has expressed. I am eager to continue to work for our students and ensure that your children are always the center of the work.
This month teachers have completed their baseline data and are using this data to personalize instruction. I have walked through classrooms and teachers have students working in pairs, others are working through blended learning models and most importantly teachers have begun to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each and every one of our students.
As the Assistant Principal who oversees curriculum and instruction, I want you to know that our teachers are doing everything in their power to meet your students academically and social emotionally. We have phenomenal teachers who care about your children and are truly giving their all to best serve the community post pandemic.
We want to thank you for joining our parent and teacher conferences last week. Many of you have met your child's teacher and we invite you to continue the dialogue so that we build relationships and safe spaces for students to learn.
-Erick Pagan
Book Character Day
Mrs. Martinez- Winning Teacher for Book Character Day
From Jennifer Ocha's Office- Thanksgiving Food Distribution
Food Assistance:
Shepherds Kitchen on 130 Highland Ave will host a Turkey Distribution on Saturday, November 6th from 10:00am-12:00pm. First come, first serve
Food For Free Mobile Markets: Food For Free has partnered up with some Somerville Public schools to offer boxes of food for our community. Registration is required. The Mobile Food Market will be coming to ESCS once a month November through June. The box of food is: fresh produce and dry groceries. Pick-up is required. If you would like more information or would like to sign up, please contact your family liaison. 617-545-3225
Unidos Newsletter
UNIDOS NEWS - November
Dear Unidos Parents/Guardians,
As the first quarter of the school year comes to a close (November 8th), I am writing to remind families about the Unidos Language Progress Report. As in previous years, Unidos students will be receiving their SPS Report Card quarter grades (via Aspen) and their Unidos Language Progress Report (in backpacks on the same day that Aspen grades are posted). The SPS Report Card explains your child’s mastery towards grade level content standards; the Unidos Language Progress Report documents Spanish language progress during an academic school year.
The Unidos Language Progress Report details Spanish progress in the four language domains (listening, speaking, reading and writing). The scores are based upon the research based, WIDA Language Descriptors (see interpretation key below). In kindergarten - grade 2, students will receive a specific description of their progress in each domain. In grades 3-8, students receive a performance level in each domain (based on the grade 3-5 rubric or the grade 6-8 rubric). These rubrics will accompany your child’s Student Language Progress Report.
Interpretation Key:
Level 1: Entering
During this stage language learners are observing and listening to language. They begin to explore through repetition and initial language production.
Level 2: Emerging
During this stage language learners are starting to use initial language words independently. They are still strong observers and listeners.
Level 3: Developing
During this stage language learners are using more social and academic phrases or sentences independently. They are observing and responding to models around them.
Level 4: Expanding
During this stage language learners are using complex social and academic sentences and dialogues independently. They are responding and serving as models for those around them.
Level 5: Bridging
During this stage language learners are model peers enriching the complexity and vocabulary within the classroom community. They initiate and lead language based learning.
I want to remind families that language learning is a multi-year process.
For Spanish language learners, on average, it takes 5-7 years for a student to reach proficiency in a new language (performance levels 3 and above on this report). The greatest indicator of reaching proficiency within this time frame is ongoing, consistent progress each year. For students with limited exposure to a language outside of school, it is not uncommon to see regressions followed by periods of acceleration.
The Unidos Language Progress Report is also informative for native Spanish speaking students because it measures their academic language fluency as well as reading and writing proficiency.
Please continue to check-in with your child’s classroom teacher with any questions about your child’s language growth.
Thank you,
Dr. Hughes
Unidos Specialist
Here is snapshot of what students learned in October!
Mrs. Martinez's class
Mrs. Howland's Class
Clase de la Sra. Acevedo-Santiago (en la obra de Coco)
Parent Teacher Association Updates- Leah Bloom
- We will continue to give away FREE books on Wednesdays during drop-off for as long as the weather holds.
- ESCS parent Kayla Centeio was elected to serve on the School Improvement Council.
- We are planning discussions with local pediatricians about the COVID vaccine for children ages 5-11. We hope to offer sessions in both English and Spanish. Exact dates to be determined, likely before Thanksgiving.
- We invested nearly $19,000 in our students and teachers from March of 2020 through the beginning of this school year. There are still many needs we hope to meet, but we're now historically low on funds. Please contribute as generously as you are able to help us support our teachers, students, and families: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/ESCSPTA.
New Wave Full Circle
Mock Election for Mayor
Looking Ahead
- No School November 11, 2021- Veterans Day
- Half Day Wednesday, November 17, and Wednesday, November 24, 2021
- No School November 25th & 26th, 2021- Thanksgiving Weekend
- Parent Teacher Conferences- November 16, 5:30-7:30