Parent and Family News
March 13th
Re-Enrollment
Parent Teacher Conferences
Teachers will speak to your child's third-quarter progress, iReady growth from Fall to Winter, status on possible retention, attendance, and any questions or concerns.
Important Dates to Remember
March 13th-14th - iReady Growth Monitoring
March 16th - 1/2 for students, teacher PD
March 17th - No School for Students - Parent-Teacher Conferences
March 22nd - Spring Pictures, Dress for Success Day, Students May Dress up for Pictures, Farm to Table Market 9-10 in Front Loop
March 22nd - 8th Grade Parent Meeting 5:30 pm, discussion of 8th grade activities for end of year
March 23rd - - Parent Meeting, Zoom Link https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84509925631?pwd=elJ3OU1WL2VJam9XbDBhRkJlMnlYdz09 , Sheas Beetle Juice Show
March 25th - Grade 1 Field Trip
March 29th- Farm to Table Market 9-10 in Front Loop, Open House for Potential Families
Academic Measures
100% Growth to Median is an end-of-year measure; these measures are where we are halfway through the year, with an additional five months for more growth. You should be very proud of your students.
Reading:
Academic Measures
95% Growth to Median - Higher than comparison Buffalo Schools
92% Growth to Median - Goal 110%
89% Growth to Median - Goal 100%
15% Met Stretch Goal - Goal is 10%
83% Growth to Median - Goal 100%
Math
Academic Measures
64% Growth to Median - Higher than comparison Buffalo Schools
67% Growth to Median - Goal 110%
62% Growth to Median - Goal 100%
7 % Met Stretch Goal - Goal is 10%
79% Growth to Median - Goal 100%
SEL Corner - Online Safety
One of our main focuses as educators is to keep our students safe inside and outside the classroom. This includes online safety. Technology has dramatically improved our lives in many ways, but the internet poses new challenges regarding keeping kids and teens safe. There are multiple ways to help ensure that children stay safe while still enjoying the apps and games they love.
Social Media (Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok)
Avoid using real names or any identifying information for usernames and passwords.
Make sure all accounts are private.
Only accept follower and friend requests from people you know in real life.
Stories should be set to friends only.
“Close friends stories”
Story viewers are selected by a child (instead of all followers viewing the story)
Often used inappropriately
Location Settings and Pinned Locations
Do not share your location with social media apps
Settings → Instagram (or any app) → Location → Never
Tagging live locations in posts and stories should be avoided.
Snapchat
Disable the “Snap Map”
Setting → Ghost Mode → Until You Turn it Off
Broadcasts live GPS location of the phone using the account.
How can I monitor and set limits on my child’s phone?
Bark
An app that allows you to monitor content, manage screen time, block websites and apps, and set location alerts.
Video Games/ Online Gaming
Age Appropriate Games
EC - Early Childhood
E - Everyone
E10+ - Everyone 10+
T - Teen
M - Mature 17+
A - Adult 18+
Avoid using real names or any identifying information for usernames and passwords.
Make sure all accounts are private.
Only accept friend requests from people you know in real life.
Game chat
Talking to strangers in the game via headset or text
High predatory risk
Party chat
A private way to chat amongst friends.
Random people can not hear.
A much safer way to talk to friends while gaming.
Roblox
Ongoing lawsuit for allowing adult men to solicit minors.
Predators contact kids through game chat and convince them to give out their other social media or personal information.
Conclusion
I hope this provided some information surrounding how to keep children safe online. The internet connects us to people all over the world; there are benefits but also additional risks. At Westminster Community Charter School, we strive to keep all students safe inside and outside of the school building. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Academic Corner - How to Support Student Learning at Home
Parents are a child’s first teachers, and the home is a child’s first classroom. As critical resources for learning and growth, parents help to shape a child’s social, emotional, and physical development so that they can thrive in school and beyond.
Supporting student success starts with a shared agreement among families, schools, and the community to work together, and it involves committed actions to make it happen.
10 Tips for Parents
As a parent, you can do your part at home to reinforce this important family-school partnership. To help prepare your children for school readiness to stay on track and expand their learning opportunities:
- Set up a daily family routine, including healthy eating and sleeping habits
- Provide a place and time at home for homework
- Check on assignments, homework, and projects
- Talk each day with your child about their activities
- Promote literacy by reading to your child and by reading yourself
- Limit and monitor TV watching, gaming, social media, and computer time
- Express high expectations and standards for your child’s learning
- Attend parent-teacher conferences - March 18th
- Participate in decisions that affect your child’s education
- Tap into community resources with visits to a library, museum, zoo, or theater and encourage participation in after-school clubs, sports, and art activities.
Engaged parents are a key factor in helping students and schools succeed. With families, schools, and communities working together as partners, student achievement is enhanced, and children are better prepared to do well in school.