The Clayville Chronicle
February 2022 Edition
From the Desk of Mrs. Francis
Students came back from holiday break ready to learn! Kudos to our students for their awesome effort during our winter benchmarking period. Their hard work is paying off!
After the benchmarking window, teachers participated in our second Data Day of the school year. During these meetings, grade level teams analyzed current student achievement data in order to effectively plan for future instruction. This type of planning requires teamwork, and leads to powerful changes for our students. Our wonderful teaching assistants also play a large role in the success of implementing these strategies and carefully delivering instruction to meet the needs of all learners.
Staff and students have also been celebrating student growth in math and ELA! Our Core curriculum (Bridges Math, Eureka Math and American Reading Company) coupled with the unrelenting dedication from families and teachers is proving to be effective! Students have made significant gains in math and reading as measured by AimsWeb and STAR. In addition, 76% (!) of our students are currently on target for their reading level! Way to go Wildcats!
Thank you for your ongoing support! We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with families as we enter the second half of the year.
Best,
Courtney Francis
Recess Reminder!
- When possible, students will have outdoor recess during the winter months. Students should come dressed and prepared for outside recess for as long as 30 minutes.
Parent Tips for Building Math Skills at Home
Communicating with Children Using Math Language
Talking About Math:
Talking about mathematics with your child – whatever his or her age – helps strengthen his or her mathematical reasoning and understanding. Some ways to keep the talk engaged and focused while you support your child include:
Revoice - Repeat what you heard your child say, then ask for clarification (e.g., “So you are saying it’s an odd number?”).
Repeat/Restate – Ask your child to restate your reasoning (e.g., “Can you repeat what I said in your own words?”).
Reason – Ask your child to apply his or her own reasoning to someone else’s reasoning (e.g., “Do you agree or disagree? Tell me why.”).
Adding On – Prompt your child to participate further (e.g., “What more would you add to that?”).
Think Time – Wait several seconds (try five) to give your child time to think (e.g., “Take some time to think.”). You may be surprised by how hard it is to stay silent in that time!
Everyday Mathematics:
Daily Decisions
We all use mathematics daily in what we do. Involve your child in using numbers to solve problems and make those everyday decisions with you. For example:
- “Do we have enough plates and utensils for all the guests coming for the birthday party?”
- “We are doubling this recipe. How much of all the ingredients will we need?”
- “We are fertilizing the lawn. The fertilizer bag covers three square meters. How many will we need?”
- “This store is selling the game you want for 20% off of $27.00. That store is selling the same game for $19.99. Where should we shop?”
Growth Mindset in Math
In general, a growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and ‘smartness’ can also be learned and that the brain grows from experience and effort. The opposite, a fixed mindset, is the idea that you are smart, or you are not. In math, that translates into “some people are good at math, and some are not.” Did you know that praising efforts rather than intelligence or results can impact your child’s ability to persevere in challenges?! The goal is to have children thrive on challenges and see failures, not as a sign of low intelligence, but as a learning opportunity. Brain research tells us that making mistakes actually wires more connections into the brain! When a person has a growth mindset, they accept challenges, see their efforts as worthwhile, and are open to learning from mistakes. Students with a growth mindset achieve at higher levels than those with fixed mindsets. How can you help? Some simple ways:
- Adding “yet” when they claim they are “not good at this” (Respond: “You are not good at this yet.”)
- Ask questions that focus on their effort and choices and get them to reflect on satisfaction of that effort (e.g. What did you learn today? What mistake did you make that taught you something? What did you try hard at today?)
- Model this yourself as you share about your day
Source: EduGains. Permission granted to school leaders to include these ideas in communications (e.g. newsletters, websites) with parents/guardians.
District Wide Spelling Bee!
Best of luck to:
- 5th grade winner: Venezio S.
- 5th grade alternate: James R.
- 4th grade winner: Asher G.
- 4th grade alternate: Reed R.
Surveyworks Window is March 1st-11th!
- SurveyWorks is a statewide survey sent out annually to students, families, and teachers to hear from Rhode Islanders directly about their experiences in our state's public schools.
- SurveyWorks will be given to all students in grades 3-12, parents, teachers, support professionals and building administrators.
- The Rhode Island Family Survey is for all parents to complete. Parents of students receiving special education services will receive a single survey that combines the Rhode Island Family Survey and the Special Education Survey.
- Our chosen window is March 1st-11th. Please be on the lookout for Clayville's special code!
Choose Love: Social Emotional Learning Curriculum
Students continue to participate in a weekly lesson rooted in one of the four units: Courage, Gratitude, Forgiveness and Compassion in Action; all part of the Choose Love Formula. February is Choose Love Awareness Month!
The Choose Love calendar is below and was sent home with all students. It is our hope that this learning and small steps you can take daily is helpful for our Clayville families to complete at home.
Pawsitive Office Referrals!
Golden Ticker Winner!
Valentine's Day Grams!
Grade Level Highlights
Prek: Patterns
During the month of January PreK's math unit focused on patterns. Students were actively engaged with an assortment of hands-on activities to identify patterns, and to predict the next sequence. ~Ms. Joslyn
Kindergarten Station Rotation
Grade 1: We Can Work It Out!
Grade 2: Bug Book Author Celebration
Grade 3: Introduction to Traditional Tales
Grade 4 Ecosystem Experts
Grade 5: Early American History
Reading Step Keychains
Thank You, PTO!
Recently, our PTO purchased soccer nets for recess (we look forward to using those once the snow is gone!), a Lego wall in the library, and fulfilled $250 classroom wishlists for our staff!
SNOW Much Fun! Students (and staff!) had a blast playing in the snow after the blizzard!
Valentine's For Veterans
News from Mrs. Theroux, School Nurse Teacher
Flyers & Events!
News from Northwest Special Education
The next Special Education Local Advisory Committee (SELAC) meeting will be held on February 8, 2022 at 6:30pm. This date is a change from the original date of February 22 (changed due to winter recess). The final meeting of this school year is set for May 17, 2022.
All meetings are being held at the Ponaganset Middle School building in Room 150. The rear entrance to the building is used for this event. Parking is available behind the building. The address is 7 Rustic Hill Rd, Glocester, RI. Anyone wishing to attend needs to call 401-647-4106.
News from the Scituate School Committee
PTO Update
Upcoming Dates:
- 2/1: School Committee Meeting @ 7:00 (virtual)
- 2/3: PTO Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. (virtual)
- 2/9-2/11: Valentine's Day Grams Pre-orders
- 2/10: School Improvement Team Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
- 2/14: Valentine's Day Grams Delivered by Student Council
- 2/14: PTO's Valentine's Bandingo Event 6:00-7:30 (virtual)
- 2/16: Spelling Bee @ 6:30 (SHS)
- 2/21-2/25: No School: Winter Recess
Stay in Touch!
Email: Courtney.francis@scituateschoolsri.net
Website: https://clayville.scituateschoolsri.net/
Location: 3 George Washington Highway, Clayville, RI, USA
Phone: 4016474115
Twitter: @Mrs_Francis7