AFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
NEWSLETTER
MID-SEPTEMBER 2017
COUNSELING NEWS (submitted by Mrs. Wurtz)
Welcome Back Everyone! (A note to students)
Summer is officially over and its time for another exciting year to begin. A new school year means a fresh start and a new routine for everyone! This year is full of new possibilities. It’s a time where you can put your best foot forward. That makes this the perfect time of year to set a few goals for yourself.
Why set goals?
This could be the year where you finally have the courage to participate in the talent show, or the year where you meet your best friend, or finally stand up to that bully. Perhaps this is the year when your sports team has an undefeated season, or the year where you finally earn the Student of the Month award! The possibilities are endless.
Who can help you reach your goals?
I am one of the many adults in the building who can help you reach your goals. I can help you set your goals too. I am here to help you build positive relationships with others and learn how best to manage your emotions. I can help you learn how to be a better communicator and teach you the best ways to stand up for yourself and solve conflicts. I am here to help you work towards your goals one step at a time by overcoming any obstacles that may be in your way. I am also here to listen and help guide you through the sometimes difficult process of decision-making.
This could be your best year yet!
Fun Facts for Back-to-School:
· 2.4% of children worldwide suffer from Didaskaleinophobia, which is the fear of going to school.
· The tradition of giving apples to teachers originates from 16thcentury Denmark. Parents would pay the teachers with food because teachers didn’t’ earn much money.
· It is believed that a single pencil can draw a line 35 miles long.
Upcoming Counseling Curriculum
· Introductory Lesson to PK/K Students
· PK-5 Safety Lessons
· Grades 2-5 Bullying Prevention Unit
· Lunch Bunch Groups
· Social Skills Groups will begin in October!
SUMMER READING/MATH REWARD (submitted by Mrs. Andrews & Ms. McGraw)
Wow, over forty students (a little over 14% of the elementary population) participated in the Summer Academic Challenge! These students earned tickets and then were able to choose prizes. The more activities they were engaged in, the more tickets they earned. Activity choices included: reading books, interactive computer activities, packets, and calendars of daily ideas prepared for each grade level.
What is i-READY (submitted by Mrs. Gridley)
i-Ready Instruction (grades K–8) provides each student with a personalized instruction plan based on the results from i-Ready Diagnostic. The plan includes a tailored combination of online instruction and downloadable lessons for teacher-led instruction (e.g. individual, small groups, or whole class). This allows teachers to meet each student’s unique needs.
Our school district participates in the i-Ready diagnostic and lessons, for a couple of reasons. Our K-2 teachers use i-Ready as part of the state mandated APPR process. Our K-6 teachers use the i-Ready Instruction as a part of RTI (Response to Intervention). So…what is it? Read on for a brief summary.
i-Ready Diagnostic (grades K–12) assesses students’ academic skills in math and reading, helping teachers design individualized instruction for them based on their unique needs.
i-Ready Diagnostic, which takes place 2 times a year, assesses skills across the math and reading domains aligned to college and career-readiness standards:
Math· Number and Operations
· Algebra and Algebraic Thinking
· Measurement and Data
· Geometry / Reading
· Phonological Awareness
· Phonics
· High-Frequency Words
· Vocabulary
· Comprehension: Literature
· Comprehension: Informational Text
For more information, visit http://i-readycentral.com/home-connections/?code=999