Weber Elementary School
April 2018 Newsletter
Principal's Corner
Dear Weber Families,
Happy Month of April! I know we are all looking for nice Spring weather and it looks like we may finally get it. With two more months of school left, we need to make each moment count. For this month, I wanted to give you a general overview of where we are with our Comprehensive School Improvement Plan and current data, teacher request procedures, summer program opportunities, and upcoming events. Please know that you can call, email or schedule a time to meet with me should you have any questions.
Let’s start with our current reading goal as written in our school improvement plans. CSIP Reading Goals: During the 2017-2018 school year, the percent of elementary students proficient in reading at Weber Elementary will increase from 74% proficient to 77% proficient, as measured by the FAST earlyReading and CBMReading Assessment by focusing on core instruction and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). School-wide, our current proficiency is 76% so with a strong finish we should attain our goal. For our minority students, we set a rigorous goal of 6% increase in proficiency. As of April, our African American students have only seen a 3% increase but Hispanic students have already grown by 8%. Again, with a strong push by our teachers and students in these last two months I have no doubts we will succeed.
Here is our CSIP Math Goals: During the 2017-2018 school year, the percent of elementary students proficient in mathematics at Weber Elementary will increase from 67% to 70% proficient (at least 3%) as measured by the FAST aMath Assessment by focusing on core instruction and a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). School-wide, our current proficiency is still 67% and we have yet to meet our goal of a 6% increase for our minority students.
As you know at Weber we use data meetings to ensure we are intentional when we are implementing our CSIP. During our data meetings, teams talk about the growth made by individual students which is sometimes not always evident when looking at overall proficiency. After reviewing student data, each grade level team develops action plans to implement so that we finish out our year strong. We also looked at additional supports being provided by other members of our staff to ensure that we are not missing any holes.
In reference to teacher request, it is difficult to place students with specific teachers as we have a process we use to balance class size based on student needs, academics, behaviors, and special educational plans. If you are a parent interested in requesting a teacher for your child, a formal letter of request should be sent to Mrs. Appiah-McNulty’s email . In that letter, please state the specific reasons why instruction can only be provided by that specific teacher and any other concerns. This letter does not automatically place your child in that teacher’s classroom, it is simple a letter of request. There are no guarantees. Responses to acknowledge the received letter will come swiftly ,but class-lists will be created towards the end of the school year. If you have not heard back by the end of the year, please call our secretary to schedule a phone-conference or a face to face meeting to discuss the placement further.
This summer, we are creating a intensive reading program for students in need of reading support. Chosen students will be based on classroom data and teacher recommendations. We only have room for 24 students total and will do our best to identify students that qualify for the program. Transportation will not be offered, so parents will need to bring students to Weber for tutoring. Program will be a total of 20 days with students receiving 20 hours each.
Last, but not least, we have several activities this month. Please pay attention to other flyers shown below. Events include, Weber Spring Carnival, Dine Out for Education, Earth Week, Kindergarten Round Up and Music Concerts.
Enjoy the Month of April!
PE News
Over last the few weeks, our students had fun learning about their heart with the Scare Squad while raising money to help fund lifesaving research. Weber students with the support of the Weber community raised $ 11,229.70 to help the American Heart Association fight heart disease. Students earned their own Scare Squad Monsters and Thank You Gifts are on the way. Weber School will also receive certificates to purchase equipment to support Physical Education classes. Thanks to all who generously supported this year’s JRFH!
Mr. Conrad
Concert Dates
Wednesday, April 11th
5th & 6th Grade Concert
Wednesday, April 18th
3rd & 4th Grade Concert
Wednesday, April 25th
1st & 2nd Grade Concert
March Madness
This month, we held our March Madness Reading Contest. Our school-wide reading total reading minutes is 18.1K! We had great participation from grade levels and the last two grades standing was 2nd grade and 5th grade.
This week, 2nd graders read 1, 031.2 minutes. and 5th graders read 3, 689.4 minutes. We are so proud of both teams and their efforts!
Congratulations to 5th grade team on winning the Myon March Madness Contest!
Student Family Advocate Corner
A Message from Ms. Krystal Jossell, SFA
Weber Student and Family Advocate (SFA)
319-688-1173
Spring Carnival
Spring Carnival is coming up on April 7th. If you and your child would like to attend but have a financial hardship that would prevent you from attending, please contact Ms. Jossell.
Community Events & Resources
Community Event-”Schools, Racial Segregation, and Social Justice”
A community discussion with New York Times reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones. Monday, April 2nd from 7 pm to 8:30 pm at the Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A.
Panelist will include: Leslie Locke, Assistant Professor, University of Iowa College of Education, Kingsley Botchway, Director of Equity and Engagement, Iowa City Community School District, Student representatives from City and West High Schools
This event is sponsored by the University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Summership-Summership scholarships are available for a summer camp or activity for any student (K-12) in Johnson or Washington County that is eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch. The scholarships are up to $250 and there are 84 slots available. Summerships provide access to summer-time, high quality camps and activities for children who otherwise might not have the opportunity.
Please direct questions to United Way of Johnson & Washington Counties, info@unitedwayjwc.org or 319-338-7823.
Did You Know…
The Housing Fellowship is a community based housing organization. It is the largest non-profit provider of affordable homes in the communities of Johnson County Their mission is to provide quality homes that are affordable to people with limited incomes.
For more information, visit their website at www.housingfellowship.com or call at 319-358-9212.
Dine Out For Education
Thursday, April 5th is Dine Out for Education!!!
Visit one of our Dine Out restaurant partners listed HERE! You can dine in or carry out all day long...breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Each of the restaurant partners listed will donate 10% of their daily sales back to benefit our schools and students!
Get more information at https://iccsdfoundation.org/dine-out-for-education/
#gethungryforeducation