Happy Summer, Bulldogs! Summer is in full swing and it is such a wonderful time to be curious, explore, and try new things. We would love to see what you are up to! At the link below everyone can share their summer fun. I've gotten the Padlet started with a few pictures of the Schnoor family adventures so far this summer.

Churchill Summer Fun Padlet

https://padlet.com/saraschnoor/c2ag8jmef0ofbpce

We are gearing up for a year full of connection and joyful learning. Be on the look out for more details regarding the 21-22 school year including:

• School Theme
• Tutoring
• Family Engagement Opportunities
• Health and Safety Guidance

As the beginning of a new school year approaches, do not hesitate to contact the main office with questions or requests for assistance. We are here for you and look forward to serving your family.

At Churchill, we are prepared to offer multiple access points to enrichment so all students have the opportunity to experience enrichment based on their needs. Please read below for some more details on how our revised enrichment programming will promote more opportunity and student growth.

• Direct Instruction in an On-Grade Level Co-Teaching Classroom – Two teachers work together to consistently plan and deliver focused instruction that specifically addresses the needs of identified enrichment students. Our enrichment programming guide will be shared at the start of school with details about the multiple data points used and the qualification process. Notifications will be sent mid-July to all families of students who were recommended and/or considered for this enrichment service.

• Small Group Pullout Services – An enrichment teacher meets with small groups of students to provide extension based on demonstrated mastery and teacher recommendation. These services are provided in response to informal and formal assessments that indicate a need for further extension and can be offered to students as needed. All students who are not currently receiving direct enrichment services are eligible for small group pullout services.

• Consultation of Enrichment Teacher with Grade Level Teams – An enrichment teacher consults with all grade level teams to provide training and guidance to classroom teachers on enriching the grade level curriculum for a sub-group of students and/or for all students.

• Service Learning and Clubs – Students may have the opportunity to select and participate in a variety of additional activities aimed to enrich their educational experience at Churchill.

It is essential to our partnership that you are connected to Infinite Campus Parent Portal this upcoming school year. Once connected, you will have access to a lot of information including your child's progress in their classes. Parent notification will be sent via email and Remind regarding the availability of midterm and final Trimester grades. Paper copies may be requested to be printed/mailed by calling the main office.

The Churchill staff have been learning about grading using equity as our lens. We worked together to make needed adjustments to our practices. Below is a preview of our grading philosophy, system, and practices that will be put into place this upcoming school year.

Our Philosophy

At Churchill School, we believe grades should support student learning, measure student achievement and give feedback on specific areas of strength and weakness. Grades are an important piece of providing a balanced assessment of student learning. We are committed to creating a safe classroom community, engaging all learners, providing balanced assessments, offering meaningful feedback, and nurturing student agency.

Policies and Practices

Teachers/staff will:

• encourage students to complete and turn-in missing work without penalty (no zeros).
• provide students opportunities to retake an assessment to demonstrate a higher level of learning.
• assign ungraded homework that includes meaningful practice of desired skills.
• clearly define as a team criterion for success at each level of learning and provide student and families rubrics for assignments/assessments.
• separate out the reporting of academic and social emotional learning.

Grading Summary

Students will be informally and formally assessed and given feedback in a variety of ways as they learn at Churchill. The grading system will use a 4-point scale which reflects the varying levels of student learning (4-Exceeds, 3-Proficient, 2-Developing, 1-Beginning). In the Infinite Campus gradebook and on their Trimester report cards, students will receive traditional letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) based on formative and summative assessments that used the 4-point scale. Teacher feedback issued on report cards will be related to essential concepts and skills all students are expected to master at each grade level.

A grading handbook will be shared at the start of the new school year and continue to be developed as we engage in these new and more equitable grading practices.

To promote success for all of our students, we will be using the Second Step program throughout the school year to teach important life skills. The Second Step program teaches skills in the following four areas that align to CASEL's 5 core SEL competencies:

1. Skills for Learning: Students gain skills to help themselves learn, including how to focus their attention, listen carefully, and be assertive when asking for help with schoolwork.

2. Empathy: Students learn to identify and understand their own and others’ feelings. Students also learn how to take another’s perspective and how to show compassion.

3. Emotion Management: Students learn specific skills for calming down when experiencing strong feelings, such as anxiety or anger.

4. Problem Solving: Students learn a process for solving problems with others in a positive way.

We always value your support in reinforcing and encouraging the development of these important skills. Throughout the school year, your child will be bringing home Home Links that go along with the Second Step lessons. Home Links are simple, fun activities for you and your child to complete together. See an example below. At each trimester, you will also receive important feedback on the report card regarding your child's growth in social emotional learning skills and competencies.

In addition to our Second Step resource, your child will engage in restorative community building circles and activities from their Empowerment Journal.

Homewood PTA

Our Homewood PTA offers the option to order school supply kits for the new school year through School Toolbox. Please check out this link to see the 21-22 lists and for more details on how to order. The deadline is FRIDAY, AUGUST 6TH.

Homewood Science Center

Check out summer camp and PopUp Science opportunities offered by the Homewood Science Center.

Homewood Public Library

The library has a fairytale challenge for you this summer. Visit soon and join in the reading fun!