Walt Disney School Update
March 24, 2023
#PHMExcellence
Welcome Message from Mr. Towner
Dear Walt Disney Parents,
A continued area of focus across our classrooms as we prepare for ILEARN testing is student goal setting. This week more than ever, I have seen students engaged in monitoring their own progress, with their personalized learning goals in mind. Goal setting and monitoring one's progress toward a goal are two very impactful strategies to drive learning. In fact, educational researcher John Hattie lists them among the most powerful impacts that influence learning. (If you have a moment, click here to learn more about Dr. Hattie's research, and to see what strategies have higher impacts than others).
I speak for all Walt Disney staff in sharing how we appreciate your partnership. We know that students achieving their learning goals is not only a function of work done in school, but also the extra practice and opportunities provided from parents at home. If you ever have questions about how to best support your child's learning, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child's teacher or to me.
Have a wonderful weekend!
- Mr. Towner
2023 Spring Break Kids Club Registration is Now Open!
- Dates: Monday, April 3 – Thursday, April 6 (No Kids Club on Friday, April 7). Students will take a field trip to Crystal Springs Creamery on April 6th.
- Time: 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Northpoint Elementary School
- Limited spots are available and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis.
- Click here to register
Kindergarten Registration for Next Year!
Kindergarten registration for the 2023-2024 school year begins this Tuesday, January 17th! If you have a student in your family to register, please contact our office at (574)259-2486, or feel welcome to email Mrs. Caudillo at kcaudillo@phm.k12.in.us. Please feel welcome to share with neighbors and friends who reside within our assigned territory at Walt Disney. We look forward to meeting them!
PTO Update
Community Fitness Opportunities
As the weather quickly shifts from fall to winter, the school district is happy to pilot free fitness opportunities for the P-H-M community. This will take place four (4) days per week at the sites listed below.
Who is eligible to participate: The P-H-M Adult Community and Staff (no students). This includes residents of the school district and non-resident parents/guardians of attending students.
What: Access to walking/jogging tracks, open gym/basketball courts, and weight room
When: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at the sites listed below. Note: The fitness centers will be closed during designated school recess dates.
Lunchtime Visitors
The Lunchtime Visitor Sign up genius has been updated for the second semester. It can be accessed via this link.
PHM Social Media Guidelines
Knowing that social media is a quickly changing landscape, PHM put together some suggestions for teachers related to best practices when it comes to posting information. We are sharing these with you in case you may find them helpful for your family/children.
Outstanding Academic News
- As reported by the IDOE similar schools summary, Walt Disney is in the top 6.7% of schools that are similar in size and demographics, as measured by ILEARN. Of 127 similar schools, we outperform 118 of them. Our focus is of course on outperforming everyone, and being the best!
- Walt Disney continues to beat state averages on the IREAD-3 assessment, and we have returned to pre-Covid performance for our students in third grade. Walt Disney is the only school in the state where minority subpopulations and ENL subpopulations have outperformed the overall school performance on IREAD-3 (as well as beating the state overall passing percentage!) Our free/reduced subpopulation always outperforms the state for that category by nearly 10%.
- PHM is in the top 3.67% of school corporations in the State of Indiana!
Free Covid Tests - While Supplies Lasts
Skyward Family Access
If you have questions about Skyward Family Access, please email them to familyaccess@phm.k12.in.us and we will be glad to assist you!
Pictures from Around the Pod
Free/Reduced Meals and Textbook Assistance
We want to remind all parents that free/reduced meals and textbook assistance is available for eligible families. An application can be completed for this program online, by following the link below. As well, we are happy to provide a paper copy upon request.
School Fees are Due March 31st
For information on school fees, or to proceed with paying your child's school fees, please follow the button below.
Food Services
To access accounts digitally, go to https://www.phmschools.org/pay-meals-online to access our School Cafe program online.