Smith Saber Family Connections
Sarah Simpson Principal January 8, 2024
Smith Elementary School
Parent Connections
Wow! The temperature is dropping and students need to make sure they have coats, boots, hats and gloves and are ready to go outside. We are outside unless it is below zero so plan accordingly. I reminded students to check lost and found but feel free to stop by and check it out if you have time.
A huge thank you to PSS for delivering drinks to our staff this past Friday. It was a great way to feel appreciation and begin 2024!
It's a great day to be a Saber.
Sarah Simpson
Winter Fun
Lots of fun ideas for the family to do while it is cold/snowy outside. The frozen bubbles are especially interesting! https://community.today.com/parentingteam/post/fun-outdoor-winter-activities-for-toddlers
Reminders
Just a reminder toys need to be kept at home. If your child is wearing a watch communication during the day needs to be through the office, watches should be on "school mode" during the day. These do create distractions and we would love your support.
Meal Time Pay
January Wellness Update
Winter Benchmarking
January 8, 2024
Dear Parents and Guardians,
This fall, your student took the iReady (grades 1-5 math and 2-5 reading) diagnostic and Acadience (grades k-1 reading) diagnostic, followed by short progress monitoring tests this fall. Starting January 8th and running through January 26th, your student will take a winter diagnostic benchmark in Reading and Math. This second diagnostic is an important benchmark for understanding student progress and areas of need, in addition to being a strong predictor for the state assessments, SBAC and ACT. Therefore, it is important that students try their best. Below, you will find information about the program and how teachers will use it in the classroom.
What is i-Ready?
i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, personalize their learning, and monitor their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides us with data to inform instruction.
The i-Ready Diagnostic Benchmark is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s needs. Each item a student receives is based on their answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier ones. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade but to determine how to best support their learning. Please watch this brief video for more information. (Please note that not all grades 6-8 engage with the instructional tools on iReady. Please visit with your student’s teacher or administrator for more information).
What is Acadience?
Acadience Reading provides reliable and valid universal screening to find students who may be at risk for reading difficulties. These measures also help identify the skills to target for instructional support. Acadience Reading also provides progress monitoring measures for at-risk students while they receive additional, targeted instruction to close achievement gaps. Finally, these measures assist educators in examining the effectiveness of school-wide literacy supports.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a partner in your child’s learning!
Sincerely,
Sarah Simpson
Kindergarten Registration
Kindergarten registration is in full swing. Please spread the word. If you know of anyone needing to register their child for fall Kindergarten now is the time to stop by the office and sign up.
Parents for Smith-PSS
https://www.facebook.com/people/Parents-4-Smith-School/100057657180710/
Helena Public Montessori Parents
Important Dates
School Hours:
Monday: 8:30-2:30
Tuesday-Friday: 8:30-3:15
Monday, January 15th No School
Monday, January 22nd No School
Week of January 29th Missoula Children's Theatre
Saturday, February 3rd MCT Performance @ HMS auditorium
Monday, January 29th Whole School Celebration Assembly (Students will receive awards for 1st Trimester Perfect Attendance and Teachers will send out parent invites for students receiving individual awards)
February One Book One School
February 6th and 8th Parent Teacher Conferences
Monday, February 19th No School
Week of March 4th Read Across America Spirit Week
Wednesday, March 6th Family Book Bingo in the gym 5:45-6:45
March 25th-March 29th No School Spring Break
Monday, April 8th Pancakes and Parents in the gym 8am
Friday, May 3rd Vigilante Day 11am dismissal
Monday, May 27th No School Memorial Day
Tuesday, June 4th Field Day
Thursday, June 6th Last Day of School Noon Dismissal