Stone Bank School
Reaching Out ~ May 8, 2020
Balance the Budget - Building the Future!
While the 2019-20 school year was disrupted from its regular course, the team at Stone Bank is gearing up for the 2020-21 school year. At a time where so much is unknown, what we do know is that we are committed to building world class programs, learning experiences, and relationships that prepare all students for their future!
We are still not clear on a number of items for summer, or the start of the next year, yet we will provide updates as soon as possible. Some of the things that are still up in the air include distancing guidelines, state/federal funding, summer school guidelines, state testing, and building access. As we determine next steps, we will continue to build our plans based on updates from the state/county as well as direction from the Department of Public Instruction.
Grading:
Over the next few weeks, we will continue to provide instruction and support to all students. A major focus these last few weeks of school will be to provide support and feedback in terms of grading and communication. The ‘adjusted grading framework’ is intended to provide clarity around determining 4th Quarter grades, and even more importantly how to provide ongoing support to students. Grading Update
Summer School:
We are looking at providing options for summer school based on Stone Bank Parent Feedback. We are starting to plan varied delivery options that may include virtual, small group, or potentially full group instruction later this summer. What we will offer will be dependent upon state/local guidelines. The following survey is intended to help us plan for what to offer as well as how classes will be offered. Thank you for taking time to provide feedback. Take SURVEY HERE!!!: Summer School Survey
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A look ahead:
As we plan for next year we are focused on building programs for an amazing 2020-21 school year. Each year schools are tasked with ‘balancing the budget and building the future’, and our team at Stone Bank is excited about how we are continuing to be focused on creating amazing learning experiences for students. Below are updates:
Integrated Arts. Makerspace. Math Labs. and Project Based Learning: We are excited to continue to push forward with interactive instructional practices that place students in control of how they are learning and how they are creating products to demonstrate what they learned. In addition to the regular classes:
The Stone Bank Art and Music programs will have an additional focus starting in 2020-21; integrated arts. The focus will be to link classroom learning to art/music to engage students in creative ways to learn.
The primary wing Math Lab is built to allow an increase in hands on, collaborative learning.
The use of the STEM lab and ‘makerspace’ concepts promote the construction of projects to deepen learning and demonstrate understanding.
The incorporation of more project based learning will allow for greater connections to our community, deeper learning, and provide students to gain a depth of understanding in areas of interest.
All of these instructional designs promote helping students meet the learning targets as well as develop powerful ‘learner skills’.
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Social Emotional Learning:
As we continue with our whole-child approach to learning, we seek to shift our programming to increase intentionality of student outcomes and access to social emotional support.
Next year, we will be working towards aligning our School Counseling program to the ASCA National Model, through a curriculum that is focused on mindsets and behaviors that promote student success in academics, social/emotional development and college/career readiness.
We will look to increase ‘just in time’ School Counselor support to our students and families by creating more avenues for individual/small group instruction and counseling. This adjustment in structure will also provide increased consultation and collaboration for the School Counselor with parents, teachers and community providers/partners.
Classroom SEL lessons will continue to be provided by the School Counselor on a bimonthly basis, while the classroom teachers will support the SEL competencies through daily integration.
The Academic and Career Planning (ACP) model will continue to grow as we connect our middle school students to the process of building a career identity through our Stone Bank Portrait of a Graduate and world of work experiences.
SEL Program Components - 2020-21 School Year
SEL Program Leadership, Development, and Alignment - Alissa Darin
SEL Key Performance Indicator Leadership - Alissa Darin
Classroom SEL Instruction - Kerry Zdrojewski
Bully Prevention & Empathy
Skills for Learning
Positive Relationships
Problem Solving & Emotions
SEL competency implementation and Integration - Classroom Teachers
Individual and Small Group Support - Kerry Zdrojewski
Increased access to “Just in Time” Support - Kerry Zdrojewski
Leadership Opportunities for Building-wide/Community Prevention - Kerry Zdrojewski and Alissa Darin
Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Prevention
Unity Day and Kindness
Be A PAL Allergy Program
Parent Partnership Workshops
Addition of “Playworks Program” for student leadership and character training/building
Join the conversation: Stone Bank SEL - Chats:
Monday (5/11) @ 12:00 PM - Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98230053296?pwd=SUJvUm1Vb0pkT25YK2VlYkxQampGUT09
Meeting ID: 982 3005 3296
Password: 071213
Tuesday (5/12) @ 8 AM - Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/94868827354?pwd=MC9KSG9WZWpuZ3NGc3B1aG1kNXMwQT09
Meeting ID: 948 6882 7354
Password: 091511
Our Commitment: As we build the future of our SEL program, one thing that will remain a top priority is individualized support. It is our goal to ensure any and all Stone Bank students get the type of support they need. Please don’t hesitate to connect with our Counseling/SEL team to let us know how we can support your student/family. Email Kerry Zdrojewski and/or Alissa Darin.
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Athletics. Clubs. Activities: The 2020-21 school year will see an increase in student activities/clubs/sport options. The athletic program will continue to expand as we are set to offer another great year of sports and intramurals. In addition, the program will include a specific increase in opportunities for our younger students. We are responding to feedback from parents/students as we increase offerings for more programs and clubs for students to engage in after school. We are also looking to expand weekend options with a ‘Stone Bank Community Recreation’ format designed to provide options that range from arts, to sports, to hobbies.
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Blended Platform: While the 2019-20 school year was altered, we learned a lot from the blended (school/virtual/home) learning platform, including a few areas we are planning to include as a part of our school moving forward. While we are still unsure of what the 2020-21 school year will look like, we will be prepared to support learning wherever it may occur! Key items we continue to refine include the use of tools for improved communication, access to course materials and assignments, classroom community support, alignment of calendars, virtual resources to support students with homework/learning, and flexibility for missed school. In addition, we continue to monitor all safety requirements for COVID and plan to be prepared to support learning at school and home.
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Gifted and Talented Program Additions: Our goal is to meet the unique and individual needs of each and every learner. The Stone Bank GT program plays an important role in matching learning targets and instruction to the needs of our students. The ‘customized learning pathway’ approach seeks to personalize and enhance classroom connections, and provide student access to ‘just right and beyond’ learning opportunities. In addition, we will focus on all classes providing increased options for student choice and voice, project based learning, and passion projects. Finally, our focus will be to continue our GT leadership opportunities via clubs, formal programs, competitions, extension activities, and Student Council. Our tiered GT model focuses on three stages:
Tier 1: In-class academic programming with modifications of learning targets, instructional delivery, assignments, and assessment opportunities. (Classroom teachers, GT learning coaches, and GT coordinator support)
Tier 2: In-school program alignment, beyond the classroom. (Teachers, GT coordinator, Instructional coach)
Tier 3: Extended learning options to include clubs, projects, and experiences beyond the classroom/school day/building. Examples include STEM experiences and extended writing opportunities like the Southern Lakes Anthology Project and more advanced and in depth collaborative reading groups focused on higher level reading material. (GT coordinators, advisors/coaches, teachers, community members).
Additional Middle School Updates:
A new block format is being introduced in 2020-21. This concept allows for greater teaming by the teachers, and intentional subject integration.
Humanities Block - 120 minutes for English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies. This block allows for stand alone classes as well as a blended approach to integrate ELA skills (reading, writing, thinking, speaking, listening, research and analysis) into social studies topics and themes. The integration of ELA skills into Social Studies classes provides powerful learning experiences for students to apply their skills across content areas.
STEM Block - The STEM block provides for an increase in Math minutes (60+) as well as a Science connection that will include Engineering units of study (Project Lead the Way). The STEM block will allow for a greater connection to data, applied math, and integration. In addition, the flexibility will allow time for extended science labs. The math class extension will allow us to provide direct instruction, small group support, and independence time, allowing learners to ensure understanding prior to the end of class.
Specials Block - A 40/40/40 ‘specials’ block will allow for an increased amount of choice in our specials offerings. Students will design their customized pathway not only with courses, but also with specific projects. This block will allow for some special features such as the annual Stone Bank musical, Chief’s Arcade, Community Art events, Library, Spanish immersion events, and other community events.
We are excited about these updates and the type of learning experiences that these programs will offer.
Educating and Empowering Learners for Their Future!
Go Stone Bank!
School Supplies 2020-2021
The EPI school supplies website is up and running! Save yourself some time and money! Log on to order your school supplies today. The sale closes June 16th. Once again, we will be doing online sales only. All supplies will be shipped to the school and can be picked up during open house. We are sticking with name brand products again this year. Also, again this year, some items are optional to add to your order, such as locks, calculators, earbuds, headphones, and supply boxes, so check your list from your teacher and make sure you have everything you need for the start of the year.
Box Tops for Education
NEW DIGITAL PROCEDURE for Box Tops Credits-
In the past, Box Tops for Education has given the school money for sending in the BTE certificates from participating products. For now, we can continue to earn money that way, but the BTE company is switching over to a digital format. On newer product packaging and wrappers you will begin to see a picture like the one on the right.
If you buy any eligible BTE products, your receipt can be scanned into the BTE app to automatically earn credit. The app is free and can be downloaded quickly. Be sure to choose Stone Bank School as your beneficiary of funds. For a limited time, we are able to earn double credit (digital and certificate turn in) on some products. The day you first download the app and sign up, you may submit receipts from the last 6 months. Normally participants are allowed two weeks to upload receipts. Here is a video to help you get started.
Reminder: PTO collects Piggly Wiggly, Sentry and Pick n Save receipts for other PTO incentive programs.
PTO Information
But before you bring in your receipts, don’t forget to scan them on your box Tops for Education app, so you earn money for our school through student council!
Counselor Corner
Hello Stone Bank Families!
Hope you are all doing well and staying safe and healthy. Here are some new community resources for you during this time.
Resources for Kids and Families During COVID 19
Waukesha County Resources During COVID 19
8th Grade Families, friendly reminder that if you are open enrolled into Stone Bank School, you have to reapply for open enrollment at Arrowhead H.S. We are not considered the same district.
Please reach out if you need anything!
Kerry Zdrojewski
Athletic Uniforms Return
If you still have a basketball or volleyball uniform in your possession, please be sure to return it to the Stone Bank front entrance vestibule as soon as possible. We have a box labeled "Athletic Uniforms" for your convenience.
Summer Arrowhead Athletic Camps
About the 2020 Summer Camps:
We would like to offer our annual summer camps to your athletes. With the current situation, we will not know if what we are posting at this time will be allowed or in what format the camp would need to be. We DO need you to give us an accurate email, printing clearly, so our coaches can update you should we need to cancel or adjust the camps to meet CDC guidelines. We also ask you NOT to send any payment with your registration and to be ready to pay the 1st day of the camp.
For the ACC Camp for High School athletes, should the start dates move to July, we will adjust the cost.
Additional camps may be added so check back.
Coaching contacts are in the first document on the page.
There are no swim lessons scheduled at this point (May 1) but the link to their website is below for you to watch for changes there.
Again-due to Covid-19 uncertainties, register now and bring a check the first day of camp no matter what you may see on a form. You will be notified of changes or cancellations via email.
Here is the link to our camps: https://www.arrowheadschools.org/activities/sports/camps/