News from the 'View
Skyview Upper Elementary School
Welcome December!
It is said that "it takes a village" to support children - and that is true! Thank you for the support you give to your student(s) every day.
Mrs. Gorla
How can I check that my child is turning work in?
Google Classroom generates an email summary for families. These can be received on a daily or weekly basis (parent preference). These summaries include missing work, upcoming work and class activity (such as announcements posted by teachers.) Parent/guardian emails were bulk uploaded from the SIS in PowerSchool. Families received an invitation to receive guardian email summaries. If you need a different email added to this to be able to receive these summaries, please contact the classroom teacher.
Another suggestion is to sit with your student and look at the google classroom. Have your student log in and show you the work they are doing. You will be able to see their actual work and/or be able to scan if work has been turned in. So often when we ask our students what they did in school, their response is, “nothing” - sitting with them and looking at the google classroom can be a great conversation starter.
Coming Soon...
How often are grades in PowerSchool updated?
Teachers are expected to update their gradebooks in PowerSchool in a timely manner. This does not mean that assignments are graded and put in the gradebook immediately. Checking PowerSchool on a weekly basis allows students and families to monitor their progress in the marking period. At this age, one good thing to start doing is to have your student ask their teacher any questions they have about grades or assignments. While we expect to communicate with parents/guardians about grades and progress, working to teach students to self-advocate is also important.
Counseling Corner - on-going supports for students
What's Up Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, all students are asked to complete the "what's up" form (located in their homeroom google classroom). These submissions are reviewed by the counseling department. This is a way for the counselors to "check in" with students and then reach out to meet with students based on results.
How can my child ask to see the counselor?
Email, counselor’s google classroom, telling their teacher
Lunch Bunches and Small Group Meetings
Making lunch plans is periodically posted as an assignment on counselor google classroom
Mrs. Beth VanBuren, Grade 5 Counselor, bvanburen@methacton.org
Mrs. Duperly Hadrick, Grade 6 Counselor, dhadrick@methacton.org
Need a book?
Mr. Greenover’s website and google classroom contains information to help you find a book!
Here is a link to on-line reading options: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KWmbIwgl6gD4bpbWjibNozFkvyL0maVd/view
There is also a link on “how-to” use and access Skyview E-Books: https://www.methacton.org/Page/432
Would you like to borrow a book from the Skyview Library? Use the Skyview Book Takeout Request Form: https://benjamingreenover.typeform.com/to/YAmDZySb
Why is FLEX time important?
During FLEX time students participate in Reading and Math Club as assigned. Mrs. Eraydin (Reading Specialist) and Mr. Blake (Math Specialist) each work with small groups of students on skills during this time.
FLEX time and 8th period are good times for students to meet with teachers to ask questions and complete work.
Special education teachers and instructional assistants are available to support students with IEPS during FLEX. Students are encouraged to check in with their special education teacher for academic and organizational support during this time.
The importance of taking a break!
https://www.edutopia.org/article/diy-ways-meet-childs-sensory-needs-home - Sensory coping corners at home
https://www.air.org/sites/default/files/Prt1-EMOTIONAL-SUPPORT_Rev06052020.pdf - How to create an emotional supportive home space for students
SCHEDULE a break - play a game, listen to music, take a walk, exercise. You will be amazed at how a break can help you recharge and refresh!
Managing homework
"I can't do this," and "this is too hard" are common homework comments. Help students to build their growth mindset - check out this article: https://bealearninghero.org/growth-mindset/
Cultivating a growth mindset helps students to learn to believe that they can develop their abilities. A growth mindset allows us to see challenges as opportunities and "mistakes" as room to grow.
IRP (Independent Reading Program) is a part of all Skyview student responsibilities. Consider quiet reading time as a family or setting up a comfortable reading spot. (Mrs. Gorla works with her own son on independent reading and sometimes also sets parameters for balancing reading and video games - for example, "you can play Fortnite after you read for twenty minutes with me," is frequently heard.)
Skyview Upper Elementary School
Website: https://www.methacton.org/Domain/10
Phone: (610)489-5000
Twitter: @skyview_msd