The Marie Murphy Update
10 July 2020 Edition
Zoom Parent Focus Group
On Wednesday, July 15 from 6 to 7:15 p.m., Dr. Osburn is hosting a zoom focus group meeting for parents/guardians of incoming 6-8 students in the Fall. This purpose of this meeting is to update parents/guardians about where the District is in its learning, planning, and listening regarding opening school at the end of August.
Dr. Osburn will discuss results from the last parent survey and the primary guidance Avoca has received from the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Public Health, and the American Academy of Pediatrics, among others. We will offer some potential details of the different opening options - everyone onsite or a hybrid approach - and seek your feedback regarding those options. Finally, we will provide an updated timeline for making a final decision.
The link for the meeting is below; please consider participating the evening of July 15, from 6:00-7:15 p.m.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/91231864020?pwd=ekdEbGdTUmJON1Q4VktLSnFONVo2QT09
Marie Murphy Summer Work: Examining Social Studies & ELA
The Marie Murphy ELA and Social Studies teachers are working collaboratively, albeit remotely, this summer to examine different aspects of their curriculum and make improvements.
The Marie Murphy ELA teachers have begun the process of examining standards-based assessments. In identifying essential ELA standards and developing the tools to assess those standards at all three grade levels, teachers can gather data much more quickly and frequently that standardized testing (MAP and IAR) allows. In gathering this data, we can better identify what students need enrichment and extension opportunities as well as which students need intervention and reteaching. Working to align these standards-based assessments vertically across all three grade levels creates common ELA expectations for all students. Additionally, the ELA teachers are examining different pieces of literature in an effort to expand the diversity of literature and authors we utilize (see illustration below). Having a curriculum that exposes students to a diverse set of authors and characters is important, and the teachers are working this summer to make sure that happens.
In social studies, Marie Murphy is excited to welcome new 6th grade social studies teacher Rachel Hernandez to the team. She has been working with Mr. Ro and Mr. Malstrom, discussing new topics and units that will be included in all three grade level social studies classes this upcoming school year. Additionally, the social studies department has begun the process of brainstorming ideas and themes that define essential social studies education, and how those ideas and themes align with the College, Career and Civic Life (C3) Framework and our current curriculum. Ultimately, in defining the most essential and important components of social studies, we are setting the table for discussions about meaningful, lasting changes to our social studies curriculum this year and beyond.
In addition to these Marie Murphy specific groups, MM teachers have been involved in several other Avoca and New Trier Township summer work committees including the Remote Learning Team, the Multi Tier System of Support Team, and the CASEL Professional Learning Team.
Have You Started Your Summer Reading Yet?
Marie Murphy School
Email: palcerm@avoca37.org
Website: https://www.avoca37.org/
Location: 2921 Illinois Road, Wilmette, IL, USA
Phone: 847-251-3617
Twitter: @MarieMurphySch