Avoca West News
Week of January 29, 2021
Report Card Updates & Timelines
As shared in the last Avoca West News, parents can expect a greater number of "NAs" (Not Assessed) on this year's report cards. Why?
- Priorities of standards have been adjusted to meet the unique schedule and learning structure in this 2020-2021 school year.
- Some standards will not be addressed until the second half of the year, but others may not be addressed at all. Rather than rewrite the report card, only to rewrite it again next year, our staff has been spending energy adjusting instruction.
- Creative Arts & Science (CA&S) classes have adjusted this year both in how they are blocked as well as what classes are offered. Rather than seeing 8 different "specials" teachers each week, our students have far fewer transitions this school year.
- Encore Tech is no longer a stand-alone class, but rather Mr. Werner pushes into the classroom to support use to technology as supports classroom instruction. Spanish is not a CA&S class this school year, but Humanities has taken its space in the schedule. Our CA&S team will not be providing feedback on content specific standards, but rather on foundational habits (listening, participation, and cooperation with others).
- Art is being taught by a long term substitute currently, so there isn't an ability to even comment on those foundational habits for our students. Families will find the Art section of the report card intentionally left blank vs. "NA"s.
- Finally, it may also be difficult for our CA&S teachers to provide feedback for those students who don't regularly attend the fully remote Zoom instructional sessions -- sometimes as a student decision, parent choice, or a result of needing to get other support for learning during that time of day.
Please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's classroom teacher or any of our Creative Arts & Sciences teachers with questions you have after viewing your child's report card.
LEARNING PREFERENCE SELECTION -- NEXT WEEK!
Several families have asked for teacher input on what choice to make. Please know that your decision must be based on whether or not you believe you child will be most successful learning at home in a fully remote setting or in person.
Spring Break Survey for Families
Mask Up for a Great Cause!
Avoca West alum (and current 6th grader at Marie Murphy) Alice Katrich designed the mask which was voted on by her peers and staff members. The competition was fierce, with over 30 designs to choose from. Congratulations to second place winner Harrison Skoglund as well!
Each mask comes with two filters and can be purchased for $8 either ONLINE HERE or by cash of check. Cash/Check can be dropped off at the MM front office, sent to school with your student, or mailed to 2921 Illinois Road, Wilmette IL 60091 ATTN: Susan Lovell. Please make checks payable to Avoca School District 37 (Memo: Mask Competition). Upon receipt of payment, you will receive an email detailing how you can go about picking up your mask(s) from the MM Front Office. For our AW families, I'm happy to work with Susan Lovell to get purchased masks here to school and home with your student if you'd like!
Thanks for supporting a great cause, and congratulations again to our student designer!
Questions? Comments?
Website: http://avoca37.org/avocawest/
Location: 235 Beech Drive, Glenview, IL, United States
Phone: 847-724-6800
Twitter: @AvocaWest37