Munhall Bulletin
August 20, 2021
Munhall Elementary School
Email: heather.miller@d303.org
Website: http://munhall.d303.org/
Location: 1400 South 13th Avenue
Phone: 331-228-2600
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Munhall-Elementary-1459358344296891/
Twitter: @MunhallD303
Principal Note
It was a fantastic first full week of learning for our students. Students have done a great job adjusting to the longer day, all while dealing with a lot of heat. Students should continue bringing water bottles to school each day. With 40-minute Physical Education classes, a 20-minute recess, and other recess/mask breaks embedded throughout the day, our students need to stay hydrated. We have multiple water filling stations available to students throughout the day.
I have also seen a big emphasis this week on explicitly teaching our students The Mustang Way! This motto captures our three common expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be a Problem Solver. Our students are establishing routines in the classrooms, washrooms, hallways, lunchroom, and playground that are helping all of us stay safe. It is this common commitment that makes our community a wonderful place to learn and grow.
Fall iReady Diagnostic Assessment
The 2021-22 school year i-Ready diagnostic assessment schedule is below.
Kindergarten:
Fall Window : Sept 7 - 17
Winter Window: Dec 6 – Dec 17
Spring Window: May 2- 13
1st – 5th:
Fall Window: Aug 23 – Sept 2
Winter Window: Dec 6 – Dec 17
Spring Window: May 2- 13
What is i-Ready?
i-Ready is an online program that will help us determine your child’s strengths and areas for growth, provides for personalized learning, and monitors their progress throughout the school year. i-Ready allows us to meet your child where they are and provides staff with data to inform instruction.
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s needs. Item difficulty will vary, ranging from questions your child knows well to questions about things your child may have not yet learned. The purpose of assessment is not to give your child a grade, but to determine how to best support their learning. Based on your child’s responses, i-Ready will help teachers know what your child does well, what they may need to learn, and what they are ready for next.
i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual strengths and areas for growth. These lessons are interactive and provide strategic supports to keep your child engaged as they learn. Your child’s teacher will monitor progress and can assign lessons based on how your student is progressing.
To help prepare your child for the i-Ready Diagnostic, encourage them to:
Try their best on each question.
Try not to worry about questions they do not know—remind them when they see a question about things they do not know yet, this is a preview of things they will learn.
Be respectful of other students who take longer to finish.
Use your paper and pencil to work out the math questions and come up with your best answer.
Thank you for your continued support and for being a partner in your child’s learning. Your child’s report will be sent home approximately one week after the testing window closes. If you have any questions about i-Ready, please do not hesitate to contact me or your child’s teachers.
For more information about the iReady Diagnostic Assessment, please view the parent video below.
Curriculum Night
The beginning of the school year historically brings opportunities for families to see where their children spend their days, meet the teachers, and get to know other parents and guardians. As we began the 2021-2022 school year, we were hopeful that our schools would be full of happy and excited parents on Back to School and Curriculum Nights. On August 17, it quickly became apparent to our administrative team that, based on Kane and DuPage Counties moving into the “high community transmission” category for COVID-19 cases, the best option was to hold virtual events for all our schools.
Throughout the pandemic, we have seen changes in transmission rates in our community, including decreases. We look forward to the time when we can once again welcome families, our most important partners, into the schools. Your continued patience and understanding is greatly appreciated.
Please know, I understand that partnering with our parent community is essential. I want nothing more than to safely welcome our families into or school, as we have not been able to fully invite our community into our school since March of 2020.
For Curriculum Night, your child’s classroom teacher will submit a video and survey by Monday August 30th. However, we know the importance of finding safe ways to welcome our families in. This is something we are steadfast in trying to accomplish.
Safety Drills
Next Wednesday, all Mustangs will take part in our three required safety drills: evacuation, severe weather, and lockdown. The STC Fire and Police Department will observe our evacuation (fire) and lockdown drills, respectively. The drills, themselves, will look different from years’ past, as all participation will be mindful of social distancing guidelines. We always receive great feedback from our Fire and Police Departments, which ensure us that we are using the safest and most efficient protocols in emergency situations.
Changes to Your Child’s PM Dismissal Plans
Thank you to all families who have submitted the Google Form that indicates your child’s daily dismissal plans. We know things happen that may require a change in plans. Should there ever be a change to your child’s dismissal plan, please communicate with the school in one of two ways: Send your child to school with a note for their teacher, or call the main office at 331-228-2600. Please do not email your child’s teacher during the school day regarding a change in dismissal plans for that particular day. Many teachers are not able to check their emails during the day, and we wouldn’t want there to be a miscommunication. Any last minute changes to your child’s afternoon dismissal plans need to be made directly to the main office.
Water Bottles
Students are highly encouraged to come to school each day with a water bottle. All of our touchless water filling stations are open for use. Students are allowed to fill their water bottles throughout the day.
Have a great weekend!
Jarrod Buxton, Principal
https://munhallpto.membershiptoolkit.com/
Munhall Girl Scouts
Calling all Munhall and Lincoln Kindergarten Girls! If you are interested in joining Girl Scouts, girls and parents are invited on Thursday, August 26th from 6-7pm at the Munhall School Playground to find out more information.
If you have any questions or if you are unable to attend but are still interested in Girl Scouts, please let us know at gsnifoxvalley@gmail.com.