In reading, 91% of our children are 1 or more grade levels behind, 53% of them are 2 or more grade levels behind, and 19% (almost 100) of our children are 3 or more grade levels behind. Let me be clear: THIS IS A STATE OF EMERGENCY. (Our data is below.)

This past Tuesday, our staff talked about our data and what it meant for teaching and learning at Key Elementary. Our school-wide focus is on Literacy Essential #4 (Phonological Awareness) in Grades K-2. This means making sure that students understand the sounds that letters make. In Grades 3-5, we are focused on Literacy Essential #5 (Phonics-Letter/Sound Relationships). This means making sure that students understand BOTH the sound AND letter/print form of the sound (ex. "a", "ou", or "ch").

On Friday, I went over our student data and action steps during our Parent Coffee. Thank you to the handful of parents who joined the meeting. We need more of you to engage with us. Provided below are the things we are asking parents to do at home to make sure that our children can read.

Click here to get directions on how to access your Parent Portal where your child's report card will go live by end of day on Tuesday.

Please call the main office or email zanetta.mccatty@opsk12.org (Ms. Z in our office) for support.

• It's getting colder outside. Make sure students are dressed warmly. Doors do not open until 8:05am.
• Students are accumulating too many absences and tardies. This is not helping our children. We can only do our job if children are at school, on time, every day.