Totem Middle School
December 2020
Message From Principal Watkins
Thunderbird Parents and Guardians,
We are quickly approaching the end of our first Semester of school. Next week, you will have the opportunity to engage in Student Led Conferences with your scholar and their SEL/CCR teacher. During the conference, your scholar will be sharing one artifact (an assignment, a writing sample, an assessment, etc.) from each class they are proud of. Your scholar will share how this artifact represents their learning and why they are proud of it. This is a great opportunity for you to engage with your scholar to ask them questions about their learning, their zoom class attendance, and their level of engagement in class discussions. Their SEL/CCR teacher will be sharing their attendance rates with you, along with their fall iReady diagnostic scores in both Math and Reading.
As we are approaching the end of the Semester, now is the time for your scholar to be making up any missing assignments or assessments to ensure their grade on the report card is an accurate reflection of their current level of progress. Remember, this year we have switched to the A,B,C, F reporting scale, so your scholar will be receiving letter grades. If your scholar is still struggling to complete their assignments and assessments during asynchronous work time, below are some suggestions for helping them fine-tune their study routine. A good study routine helps your middle schooler manage their workload and make the best use of their time. You can use these ideas to help them develop one that works best for them.
Set the Scene:
For one week, challenge your scholar to do “quality checks” of their asynchronous work sessions. They can write down distractions (TV, social media, phone), note how they feel when they lose focus, and pinpoint time wasters (searching for supplies, searching on Canvas for their assignment). Together, brainstorm solutions. Maybe they can silence electronics or put them in another room, set a timer to take breaks, and gather supplies before starting their work.
Always Have A Plan:
Your scholar could find a regular time to study each day that fits with mealtimes and other activities. It might be at 5pm most days and 7pm on Wednesdays when your family eats dinner early. Maybe the schedule is created based on when your scholar has to share their computer device with siblings. Start each session by listing specific tasks and how long they think it will take them to complete. For example, their plan might be, “Do 12 math practice problems (30 minutes), then finish CER in Social Studies (15 minutes)” instead of “finish asynchronous work”.
Personalize the Approach:
The “right” way to study is different for every scholar. Suggest to your scholar to experiment with methods to find what they like best. They might notice whether they stay on task better when they study alone or if they learn more when they study with their sibling. Or maybe they can try reading their notes silently vs. aloud to you. They may realize that silent reading is faster but they remember more when they share their materials aloud to you. There is no “right” or “wrong” way to study and engage in asynchronous work time. Encourage your scholar to find what works best for them and then stick with it!
Scholar Led Conferences
It is that time of the year again…. time for our Scholar
Led Conferences (SLC)!!! This year will look a little different
as we are in a 100% remote setting.
During the conference, your student(s) will showcase what they have accomplished during this year. We here at Totem are excited to watch as your students’ showcase their amazing accomplishments!
For this year, the conferences will be done with your students’ SEL/CCR teacher. Date and times are: Wed, Dec. 9th, 3pm-5:30pm; Thur, Dec. 10th, 10am-7:30pm and Fri, Dec. 11th, 7am-10am. Teachers will be sending out emails this week to sign up.
Thank you all so much and see you at the
conference!
Winter Break
Farm to Families Food Boxes Continues Dec. 7th & 14th
We are excited to announce Pacific Coast Harvest and the Washington State Department of Agriculture are partnering to provide farm boxes for FWPS families! Starting December 7, the free farm boxes are available while supplies last.
Boxes are limited to one box per family.
Pickup schedule:
Monday, December 7 and December 14 between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. (or as long as supplies last).
What’s included?
Content in boxes will vary based on availability.
Important location information:
· The distribution will operate as a drive-thru pick-up.
· Do not arrive before 9:55 a.m. to prevent traffic extending out into the public street.
· All families must remain in their vehicle.
Location:
· Federal Way High School, 30611 16th Ave. S. Federal Way 98003
For more information will be available at www.fwps.org/FarmBoxes.
Asynchronous vs Synchronous Attendance
Attendance is very important for your Scholar's Learning
Please consider that Totem takes attendance with 2 different log-ins and 2 different methods.
1. Asynchronous Attendance is taken when the student logs into Launchpad for Learning and is computer generated.
2. Synchronous Attendance is taken when the student logs directly into the Zoom classes and the teacher takes manual attendance.
Often, we have students that will log into Launchpad for Learning but do not log into the Zoom classroom with teachers, thereby, lowering their synchronous attendance.
As a reminder, you can monitor both your scholars very important synchronous and asynchronous attendance on ParentVue, provided by the school district.
Please contact the Totem office, Ms. Otero or Mr. Simmons if you would like more information on ParentVue and the monitoring of attendance.
FWPS Highly Capable Program
Highly Capable Program referral window open Dec. 1, 2020 – Jan. 8, 2021
The FWPS Highly Capable program provides services for K-12 scholars identified as Highly Capable Learners in English Language Arts (ELA) and/or Math. These services may be delivered in a general education classroom or a cluster-grouped classroom. Services may be provided through…
· Elementary schools - differentiation, enrichment, and/or acceleration.
· Secondary schools - advanced programs, extra-curricular clubs, academic competitions, and/or partnerships with outside agencies.
FWPS teachers, staff, families, community members and scholars may refer a K-11 scholar for consideration during the Dec. 1, 2020 - Jan. 8, 2021 window for the 2021–22 school year.
For more information, and to download the referral form visit: www.fwps.org/Page/386
Contact Us
Email: mnelsen@fwps.org
Website: https://www.fwps.org/totem
Location: 26630 40th Avenue South, Kent, WA, USA
Phone: 253.945.5100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TotemFWPS/