Homecroft Elementary School
September 25, 2020
Friday Update
The first week of school in our hybrid model is nearly under our belts! Thank you to our families and students for your continuous support, feedback, and patience. We realize some families are doing ok with the changes and some are struggling. Please know we will do all we can to provide support to your family, but also know many of the decisions we are faced with are things beyond our control.
We are in this together and realize there are many opinions and perspectives.
Many parents have asked about the discrepancy of school days for Cohort A vs B. Our district is looking at options and we will inform you as soon as details are known.
In addition, we are looking at pushing back our fall conferences dates. Please keep an eye out for changes.
If you have questions, please be in touch.
Sincerely,
Tom Cawcutt
Principal
Homecroft Parent & Principal Connect
I was met with smiling eyes and a lot of compliments about Homecroft from the mom of a new Kindergarten student. We talked for a few minutes and I really appreciated her perspective and feedback!
We were not able to have Kindergarten Round Up, the Open House was limited in terms of interaction, and we will probably need to push back fall conferences.
I would like to offer our families the chance to connect through Google Meets. If you have questions, or if you would simply like to introduce yourself, please consider participating in the Homecroft Parent & Principal Connect. Essentially, it's an online meeting and your chance to informally talk. There is not an agenda. We will need to be patient with each other because online meetings do provide challenges.
If you're interested in connecting, please use the links below to join us for an informal conversation.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 from 8:00 - 8:30
Friday, Oct. 2 from 8:00 - 8:30
Bathroom Passes
The video below describes our process.
FAST
Dear Parent/Guardian,
At Homecroft Elementary School, we believe that all children should be proficient in reading and math. We want to take a moment to explain our reading and math programs and how we approach support services to achieve our goal of ALL students reaching or exceeding grade level learning goals.
All children complete FASTBridgeTM screening assessments three times each school year. The FAST assessments are given in the fall, winter, and spring to help teachers see which students are likely to meet the end-of-year learning goals, and to determine which students need more support. This year, assessments will look a little different than they have in the past. We will be using a condensed set of assessments. This will help us get all students assessed and determine next steps more quickly.
At the start of each school year, grade level teams and administration meet to review the assessment data collected in the fall to identify students who are in need of additional support services. Research consistently tells us the students who are behind in reading and math need targeted instruction in addition to their classroom instruction during the school day. Parents/guardians will be notified if additional support is recommended.
An important component of any reading or math program is monitoring student progress. Once we have identified students for support services, student progress is monitored weekly or biweekly depending on the kind of support the child is receiving. Staff review each student’s assessment results to determine whether the current reading or math intervention is working. If the team determines sufficient progress is not being made, the classroom teacher, support staff, and administration adjust the intervention for the student.
ISD 709 and Homecroft take great pride in the reading and math support services we provide. Classroom teachers and support services work closely together throughout the year to ensure that every child is receiving the support they need to reach their full potential. The ultimate goal is to help children develop confidence and strategies to improve their reading and math skills. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher at any time if you have questions about your child’s progress. We are also available if you have any questions regarding your child’s educational experience.
Sincerely,
Tom Cawcutt - Principal
Heidi Mlynarczyk - heidi.mlynarczyk@isd709.org Reading Interventionist
First Day in the news. Homecroft featured!
On Monday Duluth elementary schools welcomed students who are taking part in in-person learning two days a week. It's a pleasure to see children in our schools and also a great responsibility. Principals, teachers, paraprofessionals, facilities staff, cafeteria staff, transportation staff, district leaders and many others have been working hard to prepare for this day, as have families. Many thanks to all as we move forward, and thanks to all who are supporting digital learning for students during the pandemic.
Duluth News Tribune - Photo Essay
Star Tribune - Photo Essay
Fundraiser
Homecroft families!
We’re less than one week away from our Homecroft Cardio Fit program and our students and staff are so excited! We’re looking forward to having fun and building community together.
We kick off on September 30, and we can’t wait!
Today, donating officially opened on funrun.com, so you can support our school in 3 steps:
- REGISTER your student(s) on funrun.com today. It takes 30 seconds!
- SHARE with 5 family/friends using the SHARE tools on funrun.com (Facebook, Text Message or Email). Students can earn rewards just for sharing from funrun.com.
- GIVE a donation if you are able to give.
Every share and donation makes a difference! And, don’t forget…
- All students get to participate in the Event day, regardless of financial
participation - Students will experience an incredible character development
program. The’ll be learning about the importance of
teamwork, care, courage, grit and celebration
Thank you for supporting our school - we are grateful for our amazing school community!
Donating Opens - Today!
Register on FUNRUN.COM, SHARE, & GIVE!
Free Breakfast & Lunch Available to Children During Digital Learning
NEW! Bus Hubs Added to Distribution Sites Beginning Wed 9/23
Free bagged meals are available weekdays when school is in session to children 18 years of age and younger.
- Parents/Guardians can pick up the bagged meal without students present.
- Even though meals are free, we encourage families to fill out the Application for Free/Reduced Price Meals.
- Qualifying for free or reduced price lunch may also qualify your family to pay a lower fee or no fee for school activities.
- Students who qualify take the ACT Test at school for free.
- Families who qualify are helping Duluth schools receive additional education funds and discounts.
- Click here to apply for Free/Reduced Price Lunch.
Distribution at the following sites:
School Locations M-F 11:30AM – 1:00PM
Congdon Elementary, 3116 E. Superior Street
Homecroft Elementary, 4784 Howard Gnesen Road
Lakewood Elementary, 5207 N. Tischer Road
Laura MacArthur Elementary, 720 N. Central Avenue
Lester Park Elementary, 5300 Glenwood Street
Lowell Elementary, 2000 Rice Lake Road
Myers-Wilkins Elementary, 1027 N. 8th Avenue East
Piedmont Elementary, 2827 Chambersburg Avenue
Stowe Elementary, 715-101st Avenue W.
Lincoln Park Middle School, 3215 W. 3rd Street
Ordean East Middle School, 2900 E. 4th Street
Denfeld High School, 401 N. 44th Avenue W.
Duluth East High School, 301 N. 40th Avenue E.
Bus Hubs M-F Beginning Wed 9/23 (Look for the yellow school bus)
9:34AM 2410 W. 4th Street
9:42AM 88th Ave W @ Hilton Street
10:16AM 9428 Grand Ave/East Entrance
10:31AM W. 11th Street @ N. Lake Avenue
11:03AM 799 Upham road
11:43AM Lismore and McQuade Rd
Birthday Treats
- Birthday treats must be prepackaged. That means no cupcakes or cookies that are passed out without individual wrapping.
- Bulk treats need to come to school in original packaging and be unopened.
- District nutrition guidelines for healthy snacks needs to be followed.
Deadline for Requesting Individual Elementary Student Model Switch: 12Noon 9/30/20
As the school year begins we're seeing families switching between distance learning and elementary in-person hybrid, in both directions. We appreciate families wishing to find the best model for their student.
We want to provide teachers and students in both models the best opportunity for stability and to build relationships as the school year begins.
Schools will accept requests for individual student model switches through Noon on September 30. After that date, changes will only be considered for emergency situations. Thank you for your understanding.