Listwood Exchange
November 2022 Newsletter
FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Dear Families,
It has been an exciting Fall! Students have become more accustomed to following the routines of school, are enjoying recess and lunch with their whole grade level again and becoming more active in their classrooms. It’s awesome to observe this much growth in academics and social-emotional well-being so early in the year. As I mentioned in last month’s newsletter, our district continues its focus on the implementation of its five-year Strategic Plan, of which Curriculum & Instruction is one of the ‘big rocks.’
One of our core beliefs is that each student, regardless of school, grade level and background, has equitable, high-quality and comprehensive learning opportunities to promote academic achievement.
Working with a group of K-12 teachers and staff, we created a district K-12 Instructional Model. It reflects our core values in that learning should provide work that is accessible by all students, be culturally responsive, integrate timely feedback to students and include varied assessments so students have opportunities to show what they know. The instructional model (see graphic below) prepares students for new learning in various ways, which might include activating background knowledge. Next, teachers provide student-centered learning experiences to deliver new knowledge that might include modeling a concept or skill. The process then involves students making meaning of the learning through group work or independent application. This means students have a chance to show that they can independently demonstrate whatever learning was achieved. Lastly, teachers provide a time for students to reflect on new learning through a lesson closure.
Together, these instructional elements create a consistent framework by which students access learning and ensure that students across grade levels and schools have equitable experiences. I hope that the conversations you have with your child about school connect to this instructional model as well.
As always, please reach out to me with any questions or feedback. I feel fortunate to be on this journey with you and your child.
In partnership,
Gayle Pavone
Principal
SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
Principal: Gayle Pavone | gayle_pavone@westiron.monroe.edu
Twitter: @gpavone28
Secretary: Pamela Iannone pamela_iannone@westiron.monroe.edu
Website: https://www.westirondequoit.org/listwood_schoolLocation: 325 List Avenue, Irondequoit, NY, USA
Main office: 585-336-1640 | Fax: 585-336-1666
Health Office: 585-336-1648
- Nurse: Maria McCulloch maria_mcculloch@westiron.monroe.edu
- Clerk: Kelly Matteson kelly_matteson@westiron.monroe.edu
Transportation: 585-336-2992
District Office: 585-342-5500 | District website: westirondequoit.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
NOVEMBER
- November 2, 3 , 4 Scholastic Book Fair
- November 4 Parent/Principal Coffee
- November 7 Picture Make-Up Day
- November 10 NO SCHOOL - Grades K-3 Parent Teacher Conferences
- November 11 NO SCHOOL – Veterans Day
- November 18 Report Card Day Grades 1-3
- November 23 - 25 NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Recess
DECEMBER
- December 19 Holiday Singalong
- December 26 - 30 NO SCHOOL – Holiday Recess
JANUARY
- January 2 NO SCHOOL – Holiday Recess
- January 3 School Resumes
- January 16 NO SCHOOL – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
CLICK HERE to see the Listwood calendar on our website.
REPORT CARDS OUT ON NOV. 18
Report cards for 1st– 3rd Grade will be available on Parent Portal on Friday, November 18th. Kindergarten will get their first report card in January. Click here to go to the portal.
READING INSTRUCTION IS SYSTEMATIC, COMPREHENSIVE
To foster strong foundational literacy skills is critical in the West Irondequoit K-6 instructional program. Our goal continues to be equitable access for all students to instruction that is rooted in the science of reading.
Our program is designed to engage students systematically and comprehensively in instruction that adheres to the Simple View of Reading. That formula articulates that, in order to truly be a reader, it is essential to be able to recognize words and understand language; if a student is missing either component, they will not be able to read effectively.
At the K-2 level, our approach is to provide systematic literacy instruction to develop word recognition skills. That is implemented alongside our locally developed standards-aligned humanities curriculum, which supports language comprehension. At the K-2 level, mastering foundational literacy skills is so essential and requires specific and exact instruction, so we adopted a new literacy resource called CKLA Skills Strand (version 2.0). Delivered during a 40-minute block, teachers provide students with the science-based literacy instruction they need. The humanities curriculum complements this learning by engaging all students in grade-level and beyond learning around comprehension, social studies, vocabulary, speaking, listening, and writing projects.
At third and fourth grade, as we slowly shift the focus from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” we continue to apply the Simple View of Reading to our humanities curriculum. Alongside the language development and social studies content learning supported by the humanities curriculum, teachers use a variety of tools to support phonics instruction, including a newly adopted program, Amplify Reading and Skills Boost. Students read rich texts that will build language and vocabulary, as well as reinforce foundational literacy skills.
In fifth and sixth grade, the humanities curriculum focuses on deepening students reading comprehension skills, writing skills, speaking and listening skills, and social studies conceptual understanding. Foundational literacy skills are reinforced through vocabulary and other reading instruction, as well as through intervention. Our goal is to solidify foundational skills at the early elementary level, so that in later elementary grades, students can focus on critical thinking and extension.
** Farmer's Market in Mrs. Shaughnessy's Kindergarten **
** Mrs. Traub's Kindergarten Math Experts! **
Mrs. McVaugh and Mrs. Wixson's 1st grades at recess!
* Fun at Helmer Nature Center for Mrs. Todd's 2nd Grade! *
** And in the Classroom !! **
** Mrs. Harley's 2nd grade class **
** Miss Lisak's Third Grade at Work! **
Miss Jablonski's 3rd Grade!
Congratulations to Golden Apple Recipient, Karen Jablonski!!
HAUDENOSAUNEE HISTORY COMES TO LIFE
Native American storyteller, Mr. Perry Ground, spoke at Listwood and Brookview Friday and will speak at other K-3 schools in November. An RIT professor, he taught our students about the history of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy in an age-appropriate way to keep them engaged.
** Listwood "Kids Who Care" with Their Certificates **
Congratulations to CARLy Artmitage- Listwood and IHS Alumni!
Carly was recently acknowledged in the Newsletter from Empire Tennis Academy
Carly joined Empire Tennis Academy in 2016 and quickly became a fixture within our program both as a player and junior coach. Competing for Irondequoit High School, she was a Section V singles champion in 2021 and a two-time ('20 & '21) All Greater Rochester selection for tennis, and at Empire she played in our top-level Tournament Training Program through the end of her junior career. Alongside her success as a competitor, many kids of all ages from our program know her better as Coach Carly. For the last three years, Carly has been able to give back to the Empire community by spreading her own love of tennis to the sport's next generation. Carly's touch has inspired many kids to go down the same pathway she followed with us at Empire. Now, Carly is off to Daemen University where she's studying Physical Therapy and playing NCAA DII tennis. She is a starter in both the singles and doubles lineups and has already notched a few wins for the team this fall. Carly embodies all the most important values we teach on the tennis court and we are so proud of her for who she has grown up to be. Thank you so much, Carly!
Don't Forget to Set Your Clocks Back!
LISTWOOD SCHOOL REMINDER
Please remember children need to be dressed appropriately for the changing weather. At recess, our children go outdoors when the temperature and/or wind chill is 20 degrees or above and it is not raining. Please label all belongings with your child’s name.
** Warm Coats ** Hats and Gloves ** Boots **
Your child’s participation and enjoyment during outdoor activities may be limited if he/she is not dressed appropriately. The school does not have extra outdoor gear to borrow. Thank you.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Parents/Guardians,
Do you:
- Have a new cell phone number or email address?
- Have a new work phone number?
- Need to update your emergency contacts?
Be sure to keep your child's school informed of any changes to your phone numbers or emergency contact information. Update info directly on the Parent Portal, or send in a note with your child. Thank you!