Washington Elementary
April 19, 2021
Principal Message
April 19, 2021
Dear Washington Families:
As we continue to seek ways to affect positive change related to the challenges of social injustice, and racism in our community, state and across the country, it is important that we stay true to our core beliefs as the Washington Elementary Community. At the core of our beliefs is a commitment to each other; Wildcat 2 Wildcat. We will continue to work hard to create a safe and supportive environment focused on developing leadership capacity in all students and staff. Morning meetings, PRIDE Time, Leadership roles, and Restorative Problem Solving are just a few of the ways we have supported student growth as learners and leaders. We continue to envision a student centered culture with a laser like focus on our primary purpose of learning through the development of the whole person; a place where differences are embraced and healthy relationships feed a culture of collaboration, creative thinking and high expectations. There are six belief statements (paradigms) about leadership that guide our actions:
Everyone can be a leader.
Change starts with me.
Everyone has genius.
Educators empower students to lead their own learning.
Develop the whole person.
Now more than ever, it is important to have conversations with your child about the world around them. Let us model for our children the importance of leaning into solutions and engaging in the world around us as a means to developing our children's understanding regarding the social movement occurring across the country around racial equity and social justice. Staying silent is not equipping our children to be independent thinkers who are empowered to change the world. I have included a few resources to support your journey. As a school community, our teachers have been working hard throughout the year developing their strategies to create classroom communities that foster cultural awareness in the classroom: Teachers have been utilizing classroom systems and strategies to achieve the following:
Express interest in the racial and ethnic background of your students
Redirect your role from instructor to facilitator
Maintain high expectations for student performance
Incorporate various methods for assessment
Maintain an inclusive curriculum that remains respectful of differences
Our teachers will continue to be present and active in our pursuit to establish a safe and supportive environment focused on developing leadership capacity in all students where their voice matters. I hope you have a great day.
12 tips to talking about racism and social justice
What to say to kids when the news is scary
Talking to your kids about racism
Have a great day,
Shane Baier
Washington Elementary Principal
Requests for Specific Learning Environment
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Parents may wonder how students are placed in classrooms or teams. As a staff we fully understand the importance of assigning students to homeroom teachers and that endeavor is taken very seriously. Grade level teachers, special education staff, counselors and specialists work diligently to develop the schedule. The goal of the placement process is to create heterogeneous class units. This requires balancing the unique needs of each child with the overall school need for cohesive homeroom and classroom sections. There are several items taken into account when creating class lists, such as ratio of boys to girls, students’ educational and behavioral needs to name only a few. We believe that if we are successful in creating balanced homeroom situations, all students in each class will have the best chance for learning and success. In early spring, staff begins to develop the school’s schedule for the 2021-22 school year.
If you feel your child has an educational need which should be considered when we place students, you will need to complete this form and submit it by May 7, 2021. Due to various reasons including retirements and change in staff assignments, completing this form does not guarantee a specific placement. Only requests focused on educational need will be considered. Click Here to complete the form. Only complete this form if you have information to share regarding next year's student placement. Deadline for completing this form is May 7 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Baier, Principal at 345-3059 or sbaier1@isd77.org. Thank you.
Safe Driving, Keeping our Children Safe and Respecting Neighbors
We all have to do our part to keep our children safe and our community thriving. First, adults driving motor vehicles have to remember they are not the only people on the road. Please follow speed limits, stay out of the bus zone and refrain from performing U-turns in the middle of the street.
Second, please talk with your child(ren) about the importance of practicing good citizenship by respecting the property of others. Staying on the sidewalk, and off of yards, flower beds and other areas that belong to area residents is an important part of being a good neighbor and responsible citizen.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to have this important conversation.
Season for wearing layers
MCA Testing is scheduled to begin in April
The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are reading, mathematics, and science standards-based assessments used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. These assessments measure the achievement of the Minnesota Academic Standards. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet the MTAS eligibility requirements may take the MTAS instead. Most students take the MCA online, but some eligible students take the test in a paper test book instead. For the MTAS, teachers work with each student individually using paper test materials. MCAs/MTAS are administered for reading to students in grade 3-8 and grade 10; MCAs/MTAS for mathematics in grades 3-8 and grade 11; and MCAs/MTAS for science in grades 5, 8, and grade 10.
MCA and MTAS results provide information about how well students have mastered concepts and skills from the academic standards. Educators and schools can use the results to plan instruction and evaluate their curriculum. School- and district-level test results are used in federal and state accountability measurements.
Washington Elementary Schedule: (tentative)
Online Academy,
Grades 3-5: April 12, 13, 15 & 16- 8 am to 10 am each day & Science for 5th gr. only on May 14th
In-person Learning,
Grades 3-5: April 20-May 4 for reading and math. Science for 5th gr. only on May 11th
Stay informed about Mankato Area Public Schools' closings:
- Subscribe to Mankato Area Public Schools' news and receive email or text message alerts.
- Call 507-386-4777 (24-hours) for Mankato Area Public Schools' help and information line, which includes school closings due to weather, holidays or breaks.
- Visit www.isd77.org.
- Follow Mankato Area Public Schools on Twitter and Facebook.
For more information contact staff at 507-387-1868