WATERFORD WEEKLY
August 11, 2017
Mission
Vision
Curriculum Night
Our fall Open House/Curriculum Night will be held on Thursday, August 17th. As always, we want to provide the opportunity for our parents, with multiple children, to attend each of their child’s presentations. In order to do this, we are asking each grade level to give three 15 minute presentations from 6:30 – 7:30. During the 15 minutes, I would like each grade level to present important information to your parents that you feel they should know in order for their child to have a successful year. Since 15 minutes may not give you all of the time you need to go over everything, it would be a good idea to have something typed up for the parents to take with them at the end of your presentation.
The evening’s schedule will look like this:
Session 1 6:30 – 6:45
Session 2 6:50 – 7:05
Session 3 7:10 – 7:25
Since the sessions only have 5 minutes of time in between, it will be important for you to let you parents know that you will not have time to have conversations after each presentation (unless you chose to have them after the last one is over at 7:25). If anyone wants to discuss a concern with you, please encourage them to e-mail or call you to set up a time to meet.
We will also hold our annual Title One meeting before our curriculum night. This meeting will be from 6:00 – 6:15 in the Library.
NWEA and IReady Diagnostic Testing Begins
Dual Language Assurances
Assurance #1: Instructional Model
Instructional model for both English and the target language is implemented with a minimum of 50% of the students’ instructional day being taught in the target language.
Assurance #2: Separation of Language
Target language teachers communicate in the target language in the classroom at all times and in front of his/her students in all school environments.
Assurance #3: Student Target Language Use
There are clear, enforced, and reinforced expectations that students communicate in the target language in the target language classroom.
Assurance #4: Collaboration
English teachers and immersion teachers frequently and routinely collaborate as a DLI Partnership
Assurance #5: General Education Program
Enrollment in Dual Language Immersion is open to all students of varying backgrounds and all ability levels.
Note: We have 14 assurances outlined from the district. The above five are some of the most important. We will review all of the assurances, along with an overview of Dual Language, and a snippet of what a program looks like on Monday, August 21st at 7:20 a.m. the library. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to ask myself, the DLI teachers, Julea, or Joy if you have any questions or need further clarification.
Dual Language Spanish Classroom
CIA Fridays
In PE/Music, a short video of Hispanic culture will be shown, and then followed up with a few games and examples of music that were discussed in the video.
In Art, the students will do a variety of cultural activities including Huichol yarn painting, Mexican folk art mirrors, decorating pictures of Mexican costumes, and using play dough to create pottery.
In library, the students will listen to a story about Pura Belpre, the first Hispanic Librarian at the New York City Public Library, and complete activities based on the story.
In Computer, the students will watch videos, played games, and worked on apps that teach about the Hispanic culture.
Special Education Teacher
As you may have heard, Deb Flickinger, has resigned her 1/2 time position at Waterford and will only continue in her 1/2 time position at Chandler. Deb felt that this would be best option for her personally. We wish her well as she makes this adjustment in her schedule.
Currently, Parkside has a 1/2 time Special Education position open and we are looking to pair with them for a fulltime position. Until a replacement has been hired, Leah Kissinger will be subbing for us beginning on Monday for Waterford in the a.m. and Parkside in the p.m.
Additionally, Dr. Woodworth has approved two additional paras for our building in order to support student needs. These should be posted by the end of the week.
Solar Eclipse
On Monday, August 21, 2017 there will be a solar eclipse. The solar event is being called "The Great American Solar Eclipse," because it is the first solar eclipse that will be visible on a path across the United States of America since the early 1900’s. Goshen will not experience a total eclipse but rather a partial eclipse at 2:23 p.m. Waterford is planning a viewing opportunity to allow students to experience this once-in-a-lifetime event. The school district has purchased eclipse-safe viewing glasses for students, faculty and staff using fundraising funds. (Homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.)
Since safety is a top priority, we will take all precautionary measures to make this experience both safe and enjoyable. Students will not be permitted to look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through unfiltered cameras, telescopes, binoculars, or other optical devices, with or without glasses. (For more information on viewing the eclipse safely to prevent eye damage, please visit https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/safe-viewing.)Because of these safety concerns, a parent signature will be required by August 21, 2017 in order for students to participate using the eclipse glasses. Students whose parents do not complete the form or choose to opt out, will participate in an alternative activity inside the school during the eclipse.
Parent letters will be distributed to teachers on the morning of August 14th in order for them to be sent home in Monday folders that day. Additionally, your grade level will need to have an alternative activity for students who will not be viewing the eclipse. I am also asking that each grade level give me a list of students who will not be viewing the eclipse for your grade level, along with the planned alternative activity. I will need to have this by Friday, August 18th.
Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions or need further clarification.
Lesson Plan Reminder
Next Week and Beyond
Monday 8/14: Delay Day - Data/90 Day Plan/Long Range Plan/Evaluation Schedule - All teachers meets in the Library from 7:20-8:05 a.m.
EL/Grade Level Planning Meetings with Katrina to determine Instructional Delivery Model/Services
School Board Meeting 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8/15:
First Fire Drill at 8:05 a.m.
IDEA Meeting in Conference Room 12:00-12:30 p.m.
K/1 Cluster 2:15-3:15
Wed. 8/16:
2/3 Cluster 2:15-3:15
Thurs. 8/17:
Curriculum Night 6:30-7:30 (Title I Meeting from 6-6:15 in the Library)
4/5 Cluster 2:15-3:15
ILT 3:30-4:45
Fri. 8/18:
Elementary Counselor's Meeting 7:30-8
Elementary Principal's Meeting 8:45 - 11
Upcoming Dates:
Tues. 8/22:
School Pictures
IDEA Room Meeting 12:30-1:30 p.m.
Mon. 8/28:
School Board Meeting 6:00 p.m. - Board Room
News from Central Office
About Us
Email: koverton@goshenschools.org
Website: http://waterford.goshenschools.org/
Location: 65560 S.R. 15 Goshen, IN 46526
Phone: 574-533-6811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waterford.elementary
Twitter: @WaterfordElem