Comets' Corner
Twain Update - Week of Sunday, October 4, 2020
With Kindness, Flexibility, & Grace, we will create a wonderful year of learning together! #TeamTwain
Fall is Here!
- If you have not yet submitted your district survey data, please be sure to do so. It closes TONIGHT at midnight (Sunday, October 4th.) Follow this link to complete the survey.
- Halloween Activities: Due to COVID-19 safety measures, we will not be having a Halloween Parade this year. More details will follow regarding how we will be celebrating fall with our Comets this year.
A Few Words About Teacher Communication:
Our staff has been working very hard to establish clear communication with our families, and they do a great job of responding as quickly as possible to assist our students and parents. However, we would like to remind our families that on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings, our teachers are instructing their small-groups, so I have asked that they NOT respond to your emails/ Remind texts/ or phone calls during that time. This is also the case from 1:30 - 3:30 during synchronous virtual learning Monday - Thursday.
If you have a tech issue that requires immediate attention, we ask that you please request assistance using the tech JotForm listed below, and for other concerns, contact the office and ask to be transferred to Mrs. Khoury for technical assistance.
In addition, please remember that if your teacher is utilizing the texting feature for families through Remind, those texts come through to their phone at all hours of the day (and night). PLEASE refrain from sending these messages between 9pm and 7am. Emails can be sent at any time, and staff will continue to try to respond within 24 hours.
Thank you so much for your assistance and consideration.
If your child is at all unwell, you must keep them home.
Required Benchmark Testing Continues This Week
We will continue administering our Fall assessments the week of October 5th. Here's what you need to know:
- Our small-group cohort students will be completing their assessments in person.
- Parents of our virtual-only students received emails about upcoming testing that will be completed at home.
- Virtual-only students in grades 2-6 should have completed their AimsWebPlus Math test on Friday morning. If they did not please reach out to Kristin Reilly at kristin.reilly@fraserk12.org as soon as possible.
- Virtual-only students in grades 2-6 should also plan to take the AimsWebPlus Reading test on Monday morning.
- Classroom teachers are reaching out to families to schedule DRA testing for virtual-only students.
- Mrs. Reilly will continue to reach out to schedule individual testing for virtual-only students as needed in all grades, K-6.
Make sure your child is well-rested and prepared for a day of testing, and make sure they have their iPads charged and headphones ready to test during small-group cohort times.
It is VERY important virtual students complete these assessments without assistance. When parents assist with these assessments, we do not get a true picture of your child's abilities, and they may miss out on needed support.
Solid Gold Shout Outs!
The following students are receiving Solid Gold Shout Outs from their teacher for their ROCKS behaviors last week:
Jocelyn Winters - 3rd Grade
"Jocelyn is so motivated and on-task, whether we are in person or on GoTo Meeting. She is always positive, excited, and ready to learn. She's a great role model!" - Mrs. Cracchiolo
Brody Phillips - 2nd Grade
"Brody is organized and responsible and comes to class with all his materials and he has completed all the It's Learning Assignments from the week. Great Job, Brody!" - Mrs. Szeliga
Jaxon Cuppetelli - 2nd Grade
"Jaxon always comes to F2F class and our online classes prepared. He works hard and participates as well." - Mrs. Barker
Congratulations to these ROCKSTARS! Keep up the great work!
Mr. Nick Bostic, Head Custodian
Mrs. Jean Khoury, Media Tech
Mrs. Kristin Reilly, Title One Coordinator
Upcoming Events at Twain
- Monday, October 5th - Friday, October 9th - Benchmark testing continues
- Friday, October 9th & Monday, October 12th - Virtual-Only Materials Pick-Up (during assigned times) for students who are only virtual.
Five Examples of UDL in the Classroom
Twain staff members continue to look for ways to implement the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in our classrooms. Below are some of the ways we are being deliberate to do this.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is an approach to teaching aimed at meeting the needs of every student in a classroom. It can be helpful for all kids, including kids with learning and thinking differences. But UDL takes careful planning by teachers. Here are just a few examples of how UDL can work in a classroom.
1. Posted Lesson Goals
Having goals helps students know what they’re working to achieve. That’s why goals are always made apparent in a UDL classroom. One example of this is posting goals for specific lessons in the classroom. Students might also write down or insert lesson goals in their notebooks. The teacher refers to lesson goals during the lesson itself.
2. Assignment Options
In a traditional classroom, there may be only one way for a student to complete an assignment. This might be an essay or a worksheet. With UDL, there are multiple options. For instance, students may be able to create a podcast or a video to show what they know. They may even be allowed to draw a comic strip. There are tons of possibilities for completing assignments, as long as students meet the lesson goals.
3. Flexible Work Spaces
UDL promotes flexibility in the learning environment. That’s why in a UDL classroom, there are flexible work spaces for students. This includes spaces for quiet individual work, small and large group work, and group instruction. If students need to tune out noise, they can choose to wear earbuds or headphones during independent work.
4. Regular Feedback
With UDL, students get feedback—often every day—on how they’re doing. At the end of a lesson, teachers may talk with individual students about lesson goals. Students are encouraged to reflect on the choices they made in class and whether they met the goals. If they didn’t meet the goals, they’re encouraged to think about what might have helped them do so.
5. Digital and Audio Text
UDL recognizes that if students can’t access information, they can’t learn it. So in a UDL classroom, materials are accessible for all types of learners. Students have many options for reading, including print, digital, text-to-speech and audiobooks. For digital text, there are also options for text enlargement, along with choices for screen color and contrast. Videos have captions, and there are transcripts for audio.
SOURCE: challenges/explaining-executive-function.html
About the Author: CAST, Understood Founding Partner develops innovative approaches to education based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL).
Fraser Public Safety Coat Drive
APPLY NOW: FREE AND REDUCED COST MEALS
Families must re-apply for Free or Reduced Cost Meals yearly. If you think you may be eligible for Free or Reduced Meals, APPLY HERE NOW.
Visit https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/FreeReducedMeals for more information.
Technology Support
If you need direct assistance with your child's iPad or any of the websites or educational programs they use, please click here to submit a ticket into our district Tech Support.
Contact Our Twain Office With Questions
Important Contact Information:
Main Office Phone: 586-439-6900
Absentee Phone Line: 586-439-6990
(This is a 24-hour recorded line; please leave your child's reason for absence and length of time out. Absences reported to this line ensure most timely and accurate record.)
Fax: 586-439-6801
Twain Principal: Mrs. Laura Woods
Email: laura.woods@fraserk12.org
Due to Covid-19 health risks, we are not allowing parents or guests into the building except in very specific situations and ONLY with an appointment. Please call the office or send us an email if you’d like to discuss a concern.
School Administrative Assistant: Mrs. Beverly Dobosenski (Ms. D.)
Email: beverly.dobosenski@fraserk12.org
Twain Office Hours - 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
School Hours: 8:35am – 3:30pm (Small-Group Cohorts meet from 8:35 am -12:00 pm)
First Bell: 8:30 am
Instructional Bell: 8:35 am
Students must be in class by 8:35 am, or they are marked tardy.
Email: laura.woods@fraserk12.org
Website: https://www.fraser.k12.mi.us/Domain/14
Location: 30601 Calahan Road, Roseville, MI, USA
Phone: 5864396900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamTwainFraser
Twitter: @LWoodsTwain