Black Cat Bulletin
Keeping it R.E.A.L! Respect + Effort + Attitude= Leadership
Message from the principal....
Pride and Gratitude
It is with gratitude and pride in our accomplishments that I right this last full newsletter of the year. Our movement from a C letter grade to an A letter grade was a wonderful accomplishment due to the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and community. I am so thankful to our staff for their leadership, collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving to bring the best experience possible to each of your students. I know you are aware of the hours and dedication these staff members give to their job, but it is truly in service to your children that every minute is spent.
Our teachers have
- embraced and modeled grace as they learned a new evaluation system
- created and recreated a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) system
- modeled and taught the 7 habits
- became proficient in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
- tackled classroom level data related to student success
- welcomed several new staff members to their teams
- began learning the skill of developing and using common formative assessments
- implemented a K-5 intervention program in reading and/or math
We have accomplished many things within these walls this year, and have much of which to be proud, including our "A"! Did you know that our third graders take the IREAD test? Last year, 100% of our students passed IREAD. In March, our third graders did their personal best this year, and 96% of our students passed IREAD! The students who did not pass have another chance to test this summer and we are confident that our percentage will increase in July. Our teachers in grades K-3 work very hard to prepare students for this important assessment, and each day these teachers make strides towards proficient readers.
Our school has implemented two processes to improve the culture and climate at WT. PBIS (Positive Behavior Support & Interventions) targets behaviors we WANT to see students implementing. It rewards those who are doing the right things, and reteaches those who are not. The Leader in Me is a process that teaches the 7 habits of highly effective people to adults and students in our building. Both processes really focus on changing adult interactions with students, and help us monitor our own thinking, as well as teaching students to do the same. We want our school to be a safe, fun place to work and learn!
As mentioned in past newsletters, our teachers continue to strengthen their performance as a team in PLCs (Professional Learning Communities). Our focus will continue to be learning Proficiency Planning for the standards and developing assessments that support that planning.
We welcomed many new staff members to our building this year, and will continue to do so next year. As mentioned in the last newsletter, our staffing includes the addition of 5 teachers to replace those who are retiring or changed positions.
Mr. Robert White has moved into a new position in the office. He is now Principal Intern and will continue in that position next year. We are so lucky to have his perspective and skills/talents in the office as he is developing the skill to be a principal in the future.
Mrs. Nadine Risley will be moving into the role of teacher in rotations. She will be the Technology Class teacher and the students in K-5 will see her during their specials period.
A huge thanks to the three teachers who are retiring from West Terrace after many years of dedicated service. We wish them well in their future, and look forward to seeing them back for visits. Please help us honor Betsy Bunting, Angela Duncan, and Cora Hall for their gifts to our community.
I look forward to continuing our work together next year as we grow and improve by being reflective learners and listeners, collaborative partners, and dedicated to the improvement of our teaching and learning for our students.
One more bulletin will be sent that lists the information you'll need for next year, including supply lists, final teacher assignments including room numbers, and plans for our Open House for the fall.
In service to our community's children,
Katie White, principal
Leading with comPASSION, teaching mindfulness, nurturing potential, and reaching tomorrow’s leaders TODAY
Tips for Preventing the Summer Slide
From Counselor Monica Weber…
Studies show that children who do not read or have access to books during the summer lose up to 2 months of reading performance. Those losses accumulate during the elementary school years so that by the time a child enters middle school he/she may be 2 ½ years behind! All children, whether from low, middle or upper income families, may fall victim to the “summer slide” if not provided with summer reading opportunities. So how do we prevent the summer slide – or even reading growth? Here are a few ideas:
1) Visit your local library! Help your child “right6 fit” books. Right fit books are books that are of high interest to your child and are not beyond their reading level. You can use the five finger test to determine if the book is too difficult for your child. Open the book to a page with many words. Have your child begin reading the text. Hold up a finger for each word he/she does not know. If you have 4 or 5 fingers up, the text may be too difficult for your child to read independently. Feel free to still check out the book! It just may be a book you want to read with your child.
2) Be sure your child reads at least 20 minutes a day. According to research, a child who reads only 1 minute a day outside of school will learn 8,000 words by the end of sixth grade where a student who reads 20 minutes outside of school will learn 1,800,000 more! That’s huge! If reading isn’t one of your child’s top priorities, you may need to set up an incentive program.
3) Set a good example. When your child sees you reading and enjoying a book or a newspaper article, you are sending a message that reading is important and valuable.
4) Read to your child – explore different types of reading such as poetry. For our little ones, poetry is a great way to improve phonemic awareness skills as poetry often incorporates rhyme. For our older children, poetry is a means of improving fluency.
5) Read with your child – explore different types of reading such as poetry. For our little ones, poetry is a great way to improve phonemic awareness skills as poetry often incorporates rhyme. For our children, poetry is a means of improving fluency.
6) Read for different purposes. Reading directions for a recipe or directions for assembling a toy are fun ways of incorporating reading into everyday activities.
7) Play games with words. Commercial games such as Apples to Apples improves vocabulary. You can easily turn a game of hopscotch or 4 square into a game that incorporates learning letters or sight words. Be sure to check out the “8 Super Sight Word Activities” on the Make, Take and Teach blog.
8) If you have access to an iPad, there are tons of interactive books and apps that address phonics and early reading skills. There are also many websites that offer free reading related games.
Have a happy and healthy summer! Be sure to read, read and read some more! Not only can we prevent the summer slide, we can accelerate reading growth.
For more teaching ideas and activities be sure to visit www.blogmaketaketeach.com
Monica Weber, Counselor
PTA Board and Team Members
Yearbooks Available!
There are a few extra yearbooks available, if you missed ordering one earlier this year. Please contact the Office to get a yearbook.
Cost: $19
New Playground Equipment & Carts
April EVSC Cause for Applause – West Terrace Media Specialist
Peggy Jewell, media specialist at West Terrace, is the EVSC’s April Cause for Applause recipient. Cause for Applause recognizes employees who go above and beyond normal job duties.
In addition to creating a beautiful and inviting library space at West Terrace, nominator Shelly DeWeese says Jewel continually does everything she can to support students and staff at West Terrace. According to DeWeese, Jewell developed “Reader Leaders,” a group of students who love books and help her create book displays to entice other students to read. Jewell sponsors an after-school Book Club for fifth grade students where they can read and discuss books.
How she can help the school is always at the forefront of Jewell’s mind, DeWeese indicated. Examples of this include new ways to organize playground equipment, assisting in the school’s daily dismissal lines, and participating in the planning of the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) plan.
“Peggy Jewell is the most sought after volunteer at West Terrace,” DeWeese wrote in her nomination letter. “She is always willing to do things that need to be done, regardless of whether it falls within her job description or not. Her love for children and West Terrace School is evident in her daily work in our building.”
Reitz District Art Show
Last month West Terrace participated in the annual Reitz District Art Show sponsored by Mead Johnson. West Terrace submitted 200 pieces of artwork that was displayed at Mead Johnson for two weeks. The winners who were selected from West Terrace were: Madeline Cline with Van Gogh Portrait; Kendra Hauke with Faith Ringgold, Tar Beach; Leslie Hyde with Van Gogh Sunflowers; Kayla Kemper with Van Gogh Sunflowers; Ethan Worman with Van Gogh Starry Night. I was very proud of our display. We have lots of very talented artists at West Terrace!
If you would like to stay up to date with the work the students are doing in art class, check us out at https://www.facebook.com/westterraceart . Mrs. Kemper
Field Day is quickly approaching on Friday, May 15th. We are making big plans and lots of changes for Field Day this year. The more volunteers we have, the smoother the day will go. If you have not returned your volunteer form and would like to help that day, please turn it in to your child’s teacher ASAP. If you have not returned payment for your child’s t-shirt and snack donation, please send in $7 also.
There will be an informational meeting for volunteers on Monday, May 11 at 6:30 in the media center and volunteers who ordered shirts may pick them up at this time. Please contact Becky Massie at rmassie222@yahoo.com or Lori Johnson at clj@att.net if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
Field Day volunteer informational meeting
Monday, May 11, 2015, 06:30 PM
West Terrace Elementary School, West Terrace Drive, Evansville, IN, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
School Vision and Mission Statement Help
Good afternoon! West Terrace staff is working to define a vision and mission statement that captures a community perspective and we're hoping you can help by either completing the survey at the link, above, and/or attending a listening/guided planning session after the PTA meeting on Tuesday. You are invited to do both if you can! The meeting Tuesday will be in the Media Center from 4:30-5:30. The link to the survey is here: http://goo.gl/forms/e0TgMNTwMq We value your opinion, and that of our community. If you have interested grandparents, business partners, or others who may like their voice to be heard, please share this link with them! Thank you in advance for your insight and support!
July 9-12 EVSC Summer Musical
The Summer Musical this year is Mary Poppins. It will be held July 9-12 at Old National Events Plaza. The Summer Musical is always a wonderful event! We hope you can attend.
Daycare balances
The end of the year is right around the corner and final payments will be due soon. All daycare accounts needed to be settled by May 8. If you have any questions about your balance, please contact tiffany.britton@evsc.k12.in.us. Thank you!
Tiffany Britton, Daycare Coordinator
PTA Meeting
Listening Session: Vision and Mission Statement Creation
Tuesday, May 12, 2015, 04:30 PM
West Terrace Elementary School, West Terrace Drive, Evansville, IN, United States
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
WT Recycling Program
Thank you to everyone for your efforts to help West Terrace recycle this year. We have collected enough caps to receive our 2nd picnic table for the playground! It is on order now and should be here before the school year ends! Also, we were able to turn in our first load of aluminum cans to recycle and received $285!! We appreciate all of your support to help our students learn to be good stewards of Mother Earth.
Over the summer, we will continue to recycle here at West Terrace. All recycle containers on the east side of the building will be available for drop off.
Profitable items to save for West Terrace:
Plastic caps
Aluminum cans
Please remember to save the above items for us when you attend sporting events, family reunions, picnics, tournaments, and any other large event this summer!
Thank you, Nadine Risley, Recycling Coordinator
West Terrace Elementary School
8000 West Terrace Drive
Evansville, IN 47712
FAX (812) 435-8869
Email: katie.white@evsc.k12.in.us
Website: evscschools.com/westterrace
Location: West Terrace Elementary School, West Terrace Drive, Evansville, IN, United States
Phone: (812) 435-8733
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Terrace-Elementary-School/333852756647518