We were able to get a picture of our progress after the so much time away from full-time school. There are some data points that we can celebrate as we take stock of where we are at the end of 2021 and continue to meet the academic and social-emotional learning needs of all of our students.

One grade level had some academic data come in last week that indicated increases of 18% points and 19% points in the reading and math proficiency rate, respectively, across the entire grade level. The number students far below grade level dropped significantly as well. This shows us that we are accelerating learning!

Our Student Panorama Survey Data also came back. This survey asks 3rd-5th graders how the feel loved, challenged, and prepared at school. Our overall Loved-Challenge-Prepared Index increased 8% points to the highest level it's ever been. Our students sense of being loved and prepared are also at an all-time high. These are great improvements and there is still work to do to ensure all students feel loved, challenged, and prepared. Our team will look closer at this data and make adjustments to strengthen our approach to student achievement and wellness even more.

• Dec. 11- Virtual EdFest: 10am- 1pm (more info below)
• Dec 14 - Stuart Hobson Open House (more info below)
• Dec 22 - Last school day of 2021! Pajama Day.

New Asymptomatic Student Testing Schedule!

Every Friday: Asymptomatic COVID testing for students.

9:15 for Watkins

9:15 for Peabody

The holidays are here! We will celebrate the end of 2021 on our last day, Dec 22, in a variety of ways. Homeroom teachers and grade level teams are planning a variety of culturally inclusive events to take place on our last day. Until then, the joyful and rigorous learning will continue!

Peabody families can look forward to a "zoom concert" during their music time in the last days of the month. Please see below for a copy of the scheduled performances. Teachers will also provide the viewing link to parents.

Thank you Ms. Swan for preparing your first Peabody show!

Thursday, December 16, 2021

9:30 am-Ms. Allen-Thompson Pre-K 4

10:30 am-Ms. Syquia Pre-K 3

2:30 pm-Ms. Paige Kindergarten

Monday, December 20, 2021

9:30 am-Ms. Brooks Pre-K 4

10:30 am-Ms. Barker Pre-K 3

2:30 pm-Ms. S. Williams Kindergarten

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

9:30 am-Ms. Doolin Pre-K 4

10:30 am-Ms. Pavlik Pre-K 3

2:30 pm-Mrs. Mcgrath Kindergarten

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

9:30 am-Ms. Friedman Pre-K 4

10:30 am-Ms. Slattery Pre-K 3

2:30 pm-Mrs. C. Williams Kindergarten

Please click here to view the concert. Teachers will also be providing their classroom families with the link.

Music Kids offers:

• Weekly 30 min lessons on site
• Lessons on guitar, piano and violin
• Small group lessons (2-3 students)
• Students can participate in Spring Recitals
• Rental instruments included

If you are interested and would like more information please visit their website at www.musickidsprogram.com or contact their office at office@musickidsprogram.com

Accepting applications now until January 2022

All can join! Please read more here. Most important is that we have a diverse and representative set of voices making key decisions for our schools' future apart of this work.

Are you interested in advancing equity at Peabody and Watkins? New Kindred dialogue groups launching soon!

The Cluster’s Partnership With Kindred: Kindred supports communities in collaborating toward the creation of an anti-racist and liberated society. The Cluster began partnering with Kindred last year to bring caregivers, staff, and leaders together to advance educational equity and racial justice in our community. This work took the form of two diverse dialogue groups and the ongoing development of an equity team. This year, our partnership will include three new dialogue groups to grow the community of caregivers and staff working together to cultivate a Cluster culture in which everyone experiences a sense of belonging and can thrive.

More About This Year’s Dialogue Groups: Recruitment has begun for two new caregiver dialogue groups and one new staff dialogue group. Over the course of ten sessions, participants will come together to build trusting relationships, examine their own and learn about each other's multifaceted identities and histories, and explore how racial inequity shows up in our society and our school community. After the dialogue experience, group members will join the Kindred Equity Team. This team was formed by members of last year’s dialogue group and represents a space for equity-driven collective action, as well as for continued community building and identity processing.

How To Get Involved: If you are interested in joining one of the dialogue groups, please reach out to Ryan Jones (ryan@kindredcommunities.org) or Meredith Morelle (meredith@kindredcommunities.org) from the Kindred team to schedule a one-on-one conversation and learn more about the dialogue process.

The Fall Basketball season is now slated to begin in January, not December as previously communicated. See updated schedule below.

New this year: due to social distancing requirements, we will be distributing and collecting tickets in order to manage occupancy in the gym. Be on the lookout for more information to come about this process.

Home Basketball Games:

Wednesday January 12, 2022

Thursday January 13, 2022

Thursday January 20, 2022

Friday January 21, 2022

Friday January 28, 2022

Friday February 4, 2022

Monday February 7, 2022

Tuesday February 8, 2022

Away Basketball Games

Monday January 24, 2022

Thursday January 27, 2022

Monday January 31, 2022

Flex has fully staffed each grade level's aftercare. PK3 will start Dec 14. There are a few spots left. Sign up here. (click the orange "enroll now.")