All Means All
February 2024
The Importance of Oral Language
Enhancing Literacy Through Oral Language: A Success Story in NPSD
Over the past few months, our elementary educators have been actively engaged in professional development centered around the Science of Reading, with a specific emphasis on the crucial role of oral language in this process. During the December In-Service, staff from grades 4K-3 delved into the importance of oracy and its impact on the reading brain. Through this training, our educators gained valuable insights into research-based strategies aimed at fostering oral language skills within our classrooms. Additionally, teachers participated in instructional coaching sessions to support the development of these new practices.
To gauge our district's current standing in supporting oral language development, the Leadership in Literacy Team, composed of administrators and instructional coaches, conducted walkthroughs prior to and following the February In-Service. The purpose was to assess the efficacy of our existing practices and interventions. The results were nothing short of inspiring.
Thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff, coupled with their willingness to embrace and implement new strategies, the walkthrough data revealed a significant improvement in oral language development across various content areas. In fact, scores doubled in many instances, reinforcing the effectiveness of our efforts. This progress reflects our collective dedication to meeting the needs of our learners and aligning our practices with evidence-based approaches.
Elevating Literacy: The Power of Oral Language in Upper Elementary Education
During the February In-Service, Grades 3-6 ELA teachers participated in the Power of Oral Language professional development, investigating the significance of oral language in upper elementary education. Staff focused on integrating oracy routines within the Wonders curriculum, recognizing oral language as a potent tool for learning. In addition to student talk, staff explored the importance of teacher talk quality. Research indicates that an increase in complex vocabulary usage correlates with improved student vocabulary and reading scores. Exploring findings from Harvard Graduate School of Education's Nonie Lesaux (2014), staff learned that a mere 20 more complex words per hour spoken by teachers could yield over a year's worth of growth in a single year. To deepen their understanding, staff engaged with oral language practices embedded within the reading curriculum, ensuring a systematic approach to fostering language development. For further insights, view this video, "A Matter of Talk: Nonie Lesaux '8 for 8'".
School Linked Mental Health Counseling Update
We are excited to share an update on the progress of our School-Linked Mental Health Program, which aims to support the mental health needs of our students in a proactive and accessible manner. Here are the latest developments:
Mental Health Navigator's Contribution:
Madeline Conrad, our School Linked Mental Health Navigator, has played a crucial role in establishing processes and procedural documents for the referral, intake, and therapy procedures. Her dedication and expertise have been instrumental in laying the groundwork for the smooth functioning of our program.
Partnerships:
We have established partnerships with four outpatient mental health providers through Memorandums of Understanding:
Aspirus: Providing in-person therapy to students on the Eagle River campus once a week. Brandy Craig has initiated the intake process and is actively serving students, including those who have Badger Care.
Majestic Counseling: Recently approved to bill Badger Care, Lisa Ludwig will provide in-person services to students across multiple campuses, including Land O Lakes, St. Germain, and Eagle River. She is in the process of scheduling intake meetings with families who have completed the referral process.
Enlightened Ways: Offering virtual therapy services to students in grades 5-8 district-wide and actively servicing students across the district.
Schneider Counseling and Consultation: Offering a hybrid therapy option, with services split between telehealth and in-person sessions. Natalie is beginning services this week on the St. Germain Campus and will also serve students in Land O Lakes.
Students in every building across the district are currently being serviced.
Acknowledgments:
The technology department should be recognized for their support in getting our therapists up and running as well as overcoming unforeseen obstacles. Additionally, our Pupil Service Secretary, Barb Klouser, and Student Services Secretary, Heidi Tameling have provided ongoing support to the therapist and students, and have done so with cheerful demeanors. Our school counselors, Virginia Charles, Michelle Paape, Kristen Yeager, Nicole Olejniczak, Sade Seeger and Amanda Tibble and our social worker, Katie Stuckemeyer have been critical in making referrals, supporting the completion of the referral paperwork, supporting the intake process, collaborating with families, and overall, serving as strong advocates for the students they support. This program is another example of our staff working together collaboratively to best support our students and families.