The Clayville Chronicle
December 2017 Newsletter
From The Desk Of Mrs. Francis
The school community looks forward to a continued partnership with our supportive parent group!
Warm Regards,
Courtney Francis
Parent-Teacher Conference Tips:
Before the Conference:
- Listen. If you hear your child talking about something he or she is doing well in
or is struggling with, make a note of it. When it’s time for the conference, you’ll
have a list of topics to discuss.
- Ask. Sit down with your child and ask him or her about school. Ask what’s
happening in class, at lunchtime, or in special classes such as art or physical
education. Does your child enjoy classroom activities? Does your child feel like
he or she is falling behind academically? Is he or she bored? Are there any
troubling issues with classmates? Try asking your child what he or she thinks
their teacher is going to tell you about them.
- Assemble notes and papers. Write down questions you want to address with
the teacher. Bring copies of any assignments you have questions about. Think
ahead of time how to bring up concerns.
During the Conference
- Be on time. Schools tightly schedule parent-teacher conferences because
there’s only so much time available and dozens of families to see. Show up at
least a few minutes early.
- Take notes. Make note of what the teacher tells you about your child. Bring up
your concerns, making sure to explore strengths, weaknesses, and social skills.
- Keep emotions out of it. It is always difficult to hear that your child may not be
the person you thought he or she was in the classroom. Keep your cool and
bear in mind that the teacher is offering constructive criticism.
After the Conference
- Talk to your child. Tell your child what you and the teacher discussed.
Emphasize the positive things the teacher said. Remember that it’s important
for your child to feel positive about learning, the teacher, and the school.
- Follow up. If there were important issues that need to be dealt with, make sure
to follow up in writing with the teacher soon after the conference. Specify what
steps will be taken, what your responsibilities and the school’s responsibilities
will be, and what the timetable is for action.
- Meet with your principal. If, after conferring with your child’s teacher, you still
feel that serious issues weren’t adequately addressed, set up a time to talk to
the principal.
- Follow through. Once you know what you can do at home to help your child
succeed in school, make sure you follow the necessary steps.
Source: Report to Parents, written to serve elementary and middle-level
principals, may be reproduced by National Association of Elementary School
Principals members without permission.
Announcements & Reminders
- Students should come dressed and prepared for outside recess for as long as 30 minutes.
- Students must return an email authorization form in order to be issued a Scituate email address. Please note, at the elementary level, these accounts give students access to G Suite for Google and Microsoft 365, but does not allow them to email.
- Parent-teacher conference reminders will be sent home on Monday, December 4th. Conferences are scheduled for December 12th and 14th. Please call Mrs. Reynolds (647-4115) if you have not scheduled a time.
- District Policy requires all parents and school volunteers to maintain a current BCI check and to RENEW all BCI checks yearly prior to volunteering in classrooms/school or field trip activities. Please contact the school office if you are in need of a form.
PBIS: Core Value of the Month: Responsibility
Clayville School's 26th Annual Harvest Festival
Clayville School’s 26th Annual Harvest Festival was a huge success! Thank you to the entire school community for your unwavering support! I am beyond impressed by our fourth and fifth grade students and their wealth of knowledge about the Native American and Pilgrim people. A special shout out to the parents, staff, and community members who dedicated their time to ensure the villages and feast were ready for the big day!
We would also like to acknowledge our generous donors:
• Cucumber Hill Farm
• Salisbury Farm
• Andrew and Carina Dittson
• Town of Scituate
• Pottersville Fire Department
• The General Society of Mayflower Descendants
• The Society of Colonial Wars in the State of RI
We look forward to continuing this special tradition with you all for years to come.
Start With Hello
Clayville staff and students had a great kickoff to Start With Hello! Students signed a pledge banner to show their commitment to ending social isolation. They also wore name tags and were encouraged to say hello to all of their peers at some point throughout the day! Special thanks to Erika McCormick, Scituate High's SADD adviser from Scituate Prevention Partnership, for an awesome presentation. Thank you to our own Mrs. Amaral, Mrs. Casali, and Mrs. Linde for helping to organize the event. We look forward to continuing this important initiative throughout the rest of the school year. For more information about Start With Hello, please visit the link below.
Food Drive!
* All donations will benefit the Food Closet at Trinity Episcopal Church
Clayville Chorus
Our chorus sang at the Governer's Tree lighting Ceremony at the Rhode Island State House on November 30th! On Monday, December 4th, they will return to the RI State House to perform a holiday concert.
Grade 5 Field Trip to Trinity Repertory to see "A Christmas Carol"
Osmos!
The Clayville Technology Committee used fundraising profits to purchase Osmos for kindergarten, first, and second grade classrooms. Osmos attach to iPads and merge the power of physical play with the digital advantages of real-time feedback!
Escape The Classroom: Thanksgiving Edition!
Ms. Forgue's second grade students participated in The Escape Classroom, Thanksgiving Edition! They used their critical thinking and problem solving skills to solve clues and gather a key to escape the classroom!
High 5 Friday With Scituate High's Girls Tennis Team
Skype With Author, Sandra Markle
This unique event was purchased using "Scholastic Bucks," which were earned from the fall book fair. Thank you Mrs. Medici for making this event possible!
Scituate Community Event!
News From The Scituate School Committee
News from NorthWest Special Education
Accommodations and Modifications If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan, you’ll likely hear the terms “accommodation” and “modification” from the IEP or 504 team. Accommodations and modifications are types of adaptations that are made to the environment, curriculum, instruction, or assessment practices in order for students with disabilities to be successful learners and to actively participate with other students in the general education classroom and in school-wide activities. While they sound similar, they serve different purposes. Accommodations change how a student learns the material. A modification changes what a student is taught or expected to learn. Here are examples to help explain the differences between them.
Accommodations do not substantially change the instructional level, content, or performance criteria. The changes are made in order to provide a student with equal access to learning and an equal opportunity to show what he or she knows and can do.
Accommodations can include changes in the following:
• presentation of a lesson
• instructional strategies
• student response format and procedures
• time/scheduling
• environment
• equipment
• assignment structure-paper/pencil work
Modifications are made to provide a student with opportunities to participate meaningfully and productively along with other students in classroom and school learning experiences. Modifications include changes in the following:
• instructional level
• content/curriculum
• performance criteria
• assignment structure-paper/pencil work
Keep in mind that accommodations don’t always have to be formalized through an IEP or 504 plan. Sometimes teachers can provide informal accommodations. If your child doesn’t have an IEP or 504 plan, here are some examples of informal supports you can request.
· Seating where he learns best. This could be near the teacher’s desk or away from the distraction of doors and windows.
· Quick breaks after finishing tasks. He could take a walk to the water fountain.
· A quiet area for test taking and studying.
· A homework notebook that teacher and parents can sign off on daily.
· Key points from the day’s lessons listed on the board.
*Information obtained from www.peakparent.org and understood.org
PTO Update
The next PTO meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 7th @ 6:00 p.m. in the Clayville library. All members of the school community are invited to attend. Be sure to visit the PTO newsletter, which can be found on the Clayville Elementary School PTO Facebook page as well as the school's website!
Dates To Remember:
- 12/1: Start With Hello kickoff assembly
- 12/4-12/8: Give a Gift Drive & Computer Science Week!
- 12/4: Chorus Performs @ State House
- 12/5: School Committee Meeting @ North Scituate School (7:00 p.m.)
- 12/7: Skype with Author, Sandra Markle
- 12/7: PTO Meeting @ Clayville Library ( 6:00 p.m.)
- 12/7: PTO Restaurant Night Fundraiser @ Chipotle in Johnston
- 12/8: Parents' NIght Out - Technology Committee Fundraiser @ Clayville (5:30 - 8:30 p.m.)
- 12/12: Report Cards Sent Home
- 12/12 & 12/14: Parent Conferences
- 12/13: Scituate Community Event: Social Media, Cyber-Bullying & The Law 6-7 pm @ Scituate High
- 12/18: Picture Re-takes
- 12/18 & 12/19: Holiday Shop (PTO Sponsored)
- 12/25 – 1/2: Holiday Recess
Stay In Touch
Email: courtney.francis@scituateschoolsri.net
Website: http://www.scituateri3.net/Clayville/
Location: 3 George Washington Highway, RI, United States
Phone: 401-647-4115
Twitter: @Mrs_Francis7