News You Can Use
Teaching and Learning Update
Spotlight on Learning
Loving Literacy with Mrs. Erickson
One of the highlights of RCS Summer Institute was Robin Erickson's "Wild About Reading" class at our Summer Institute! She shared how she strives to turn all of her students into book lovers!
Community Partnerships with Mrs. Sherman
Maureen Sherman welcomed Soojin Lee from the University of Minnesota School of Music to the 5th grade music classes at St. John the Evangelist/St. Pius X School. Maureen and Soonji cooperated in a Community Engagement Project. The students worked with Soojin for 6 weeks to create a performance for their families.
Trying New Things with Mrs. Sobotka
Joanie Sobotka attended a Daily Five and Math Daily Three workshop in July. She is embracing new ways of teaching and learning and encouraging students to think outside of the box.
Teaching and Learning Updates
Think big. Start small. Move fast.
If you attended the ACE Science or ACE Math worksheets this fall, then you know the motto "Think big. Start small. Move fast." We can apply that ideal when designing authentic learning experiences for our students in our classrooms, as well as for designing new programs across the system.
Several new programs and pilot programs have started small in one school or grade level this year. Starting small is essential for determining if the program will be successful.
- Eagle Readers: Gretchen Sitzer has organized a program for pairs LHS students with Holy Spirit students who need a boost in reading. So far, 11 LHS students have been paired with 11 Holy Spirit students to read 30 minutes together each week.
- i.t.a. Reading Intervention Program: Patty Ward-Montoya has been hired to start a reading intervention program at St. Pius using the i.t.a (initial teaching alphabet) intervention protocol. This is being paid for through a grant through the i.t.a. Foundation this year.
- Junior Great Books: Lisa Ellman is piloting Junior Great Books with a group of advanced 3rd grade students this year at Holy Spirit.
Extended Care Options Expand for Preschool
One notable addition to our programing for next year is our new Extended Care option for preschool students. Preschool students at Holy Spirit and St. Pius will have the opportunity for Extended Care before and after school, morning and afternoon child care, and a lunch program. This change stems from the strategic planning efforts in light of the ideas and insights that were gleaned from last spring's visioning sessions. The goal is to make our preschool programs more accessible to families.
Required Prayers
The Diocese of Winona has created a Treasury of Prayers that they recommend be taught at each grade. Click here to see more.