Newsletter

May 3, 2013

Spring is in the air! It is that time of the year. After several beautiful days, anticipation of new growth and rejuvenation is everywhere. We have endured another winter and are eager to welcome spring.

Respectful Behavior- Our Hound Dog Students respected each other as they quietly passed through our hallways while those in grades 3-5 worked diligently on their MCAS tests. We trusted that they would give their personal best and we (as you should be) are proud of their efforts. Respect is a wonderful characteristic that requires daily effort and recognition.

Many of you are aware that testing season has begun and on Monday we will begin our Math and Science assessments. The specific dates have been added to the online school calendar. Some have asked “Why are these tests important?”

The MCAS assessments are very important. MCAS tests measure how well students have learned the academic standards set by the state. The results help us measure how much your children are learning and identify areas where extra help is needed. In Massachusetts, students must pass both the grade 10 ELA and Mathematics sections in order to earn a high school diploma. 

How can I help my child do well?

This was previously addressed in a prior newsletter however; I feel that it is important to reiterate these useful strategies. It is important to support your children throughout the year. Some ways that you can help your children:

• Make sure your children get enough sleep, eat properly, and get to school on time. Regular attendance is one predictor of academic success. During test time, make attendance a special effort.
• Encourage your children to read. Parents, guardians, and siblings can share good books and discuss events to reinforce positive reading habits. Read with your child for a fun activity.
• Set times each day for study and homework.
• Provide your children with a quiet, well-lit comfortable space to study which includes important supplies like paper, pens, pencils, calculators, rulers, a dictionary and a thesaurus.
• Encourage your children to record assignments and due dates in their agenda book.
• Check your children’s homework to make sure it is done completely and to the best of their ability.
• It is important to reduce test anxiety for your children. Remember to talk about the test in a positive way and let your children know that you have confidence in their ability by focusing on their strengths.

As a school learning community we have done a significant amount of research on performance character, the growth mindsets that foster success and effective effort. Effective effort is defined as “the hard work and learning strategies a person can use to deliberately get smarter at important knowledge or skills” (Saphier, Haley-Speca & Gower 2008). We, as a school community, respectfully request that you encourage your children to do their best, to show effort, to use their strategies and to have a positive attitude.  These skills are important everyday however, a friendly reminder on the scheduled testing days is warranted.  While we know that these tests will be challenging, we must encourage all students to do their very best. 

I would like to thank the Parent’s Association for all their efforts at our recent Trivia Night. This event demonstrated what wonderful things can be accomplished when groups of people work together to achieve a common goal. The proceeds from this auction will directly benefit our students.  To our families and staff that participated in this wonderful event, thank you. A special thank you to all of the volunteers who worked so diligently to make the J. Turner Hood School Trivia Night a huge success.

The J. Turner Hood School community cordially invites you to attend our annual Open House & Art Show. This event will be held on Thursday May 30^th. From 6:00-7:00 PM. This is a wonderful opportunity for your family to visit the school and experience activities in different classrooms and see student created art.

As we progress toward the conclusion of the school year, we begin to hear from some parents who want to request a specific teacher for their child for next year. A letter will be issued on May 7, 2013 in regards to our schools class placement procedures. Please note that class placements will not be finalized nor will they be shared until Move-On Day, which will be held in June (more information to come!). 

Lastly, in regards to morning drop offs in our live line. Please be reminded that we have children that walk to school. I am respectfully requesting that all parents exercise an extra level of attention to their speed and driving habits. I am specifically requesting that we remain in one lane during the morning drop off in the live line. Student safety is of the utmost importance and we need your help. 

My Favorite Topic! SEL

Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning instruction is an extremely important area of focus for elementary education. As an Elementary School Principal, it is my belief that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) instruction will have a significant impact on students’ feelings of well being and these feelings will have a direct impact on student learning/achievement in the elementary school setting. In fact, 20 years of research has shown that children need a strong foundation of social-emotional competence to succeed in school. Successful schools ensure that all students develop their student’s academic skills. Furthermore, successful schools need to focus on developing students that have the skills necessary to function socially in our complex society. SEL goes beyond the classroom to promote the emotional skills that are needed to be successful in life. 

Social Emotional Learning is a conceptual framework for school and academic improvement that addresses social and emotional skills essential for all students. The SEL skills are designed to create attitudes, and behaviors that promote healthy social relationships, personal well being, and academic achievement. Interest in SEL sparked in the mid-1990s with the publication of Goleman’s Emotional Intelligence (1995). Goleman proposed the idea that individuals are born with general emotional intelligence that determines their potential for learning emotional competencies. Goleman describes emotional competence as a learned capability based on emotional intelligence that results in outstanding performance at work or school. He believes our emotional intelligences determine our potential for learning the practical skills that are based on its five elements of competency: self- awareness, motivation, self-regulation, empathy, and adeptness in relationships. It is important to note that Daniel Goleman is a co-founder of Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) that was established in 1994.

            The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) The Collaborative Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization whose mission is to establish social and emotional learning (SEL) as an essential part of education. In an effort to promote children’s success in school and life and to support the healthy development of all children, CASEL has designed and implemented a social and learning program with five teachable principles to help students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to be successful team members and problem solvers.  CASEL defines Social Emotional Learning as follows,

SEL is the process of acquiring and effectively applying the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to recognize and manage emotions; developing caring and concern for others; making responsible decisions; establishing positive relationships; and handling challenging situations capably. Similar to the way students learn academic skills, they learn, practice, and apply SEL skills by engaging in positive activities in and out of the classroom.

Furthermore, social and emotional learning is the capacity to recognize and manage emotions, solve problems and establish positive relationships with others, competencies that clearly are essential for all students. As social and emotional factors play such an important role in student mental health, behavior, and academic performance, schools must attend to this aspect of the educational process for the benefit of all students. The five teachable principles help students acquire the skills and the knowledge necessary to be successful in learning environments. The five teachable principles are: self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, relationship building skills, and responsible decision-making.

            As, I have written about previously, Open Circle is the adopted Social Emotional Learning curriculum of the North Reading Elementary Schools. Open Circle is a curriculum that is utilized to teach these the skills described within the CASEL framework. Open Circle is a classroom-based primary prevention program for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. The multiyear, comprehensive program has two goals:

1.     Strengthen students’ social and emotional skills related to self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and interpersonal relationships and problem-solving.

2.      Foster safe, caring, and cooperative classroom and school climates.

            These skills are linked to creating good friendships, higher level thinking, and academic achievement. 

            Social Emotional Learning instruction benefits our school community significantly through the implementation of this wonderful program. As Open Circle celebrates it twenty-fifth anniversary it is exciting to note that Open Circle was named a "CASEL Select Program," one of only 22 in the country. 

Autism Awareness Day

Tuesday, April 2nd is World Autism Awareness Day.  

The sixth annual World Autism Awareness Day is April 2, 2013. Every year, autism organizations around the world celebrate the day with unique fundraising and awareness-raising events. North Reading Public Schools is celebrating World Autism Awareness Day by encouraging staff and students to wear blue.

Did you know ...

Autism now affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys, Autism prevalence figures are growing. Autism is the fastest-growing serious developmental disability in the U.S. Autism receives less than 5% of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases, Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism.                                 

Feb. News

Dear Members of the J. Turner Hood School Community,

I hope that everyone is managing to keep warm in this cold weather. The students will be happy when they are once again consistently able to go outside for recess.  I would like to remind you to send your children to school dressed appropriately for outside recess. Coats, hats and gloves are very important. We will always go outside for recess unless it is dangerously cold. If recess is canceled, please understand that it was canceled due to rain, snow or health recommendations only. It is our belief that students need physical activity and fresh air and therefore we send the children outside for recess in the winter.

MCAS- As part of the 1993 Massachusetts Educational Reform Act, a statewide assessment system was instituted. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) was designed to ensure that the Curriculum Frameworks were being implemented in all schools across the state.  MCAS testing begins in the third grade and students are continually assessed until they meet the high school graduation requirement. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires all children in grades three to eight to be evaluated annually in ELA and Math. 

We, as a school, will continue to review all aspects of our instruction. This test is an important indicator  of our school’s ongoing assessment of student learning and achievement. At the elementary level the MCAS is designed to provide students, parents, teachers, and the community with information about the curriculum and student achievement.

The testing windows for this school year are as follows;

• March 18, 2013 through April 5, 2013 - ELA Testing Block (Grades 3-5)
• May 6, 2013 through May 21, 2013 - Math Testing Block (Grades 3-5), Science Testing Block (Grade 5)
  
  

This is an important assessment. Please avoid vacation days and appointments during school hours for these dates. Please feel free to call and speak to me if you have any questions regarding the MCAS tests.

Sir Ken Robinson- On January 28, 2013 I was invited to attend a lecture by Sir Ken Robinson as part of a professional affiliation with Merrimack College. I have been a longtime fan of Sir Ken! Sir Ken Robinson, PhD is an internationally recognized leader in the development of education, creativity and innovation. He is also one of the world’s leading speakers with a profound impact on audiences everywhere. The videos of his famous 2006 and 2010 talks to the prestigious TED Conference have been seen by an estimated 200 million people in over 150 countries.

Please check out my blog to read more;

http://jthoodschool.blogspot.com/

School Security- The J. Turner Hood Elementary School has always been and continues to be a positive, proactive, and friendly place of learning for our neighborhood students and families. A large component of this special setting is the safety and security that we maintain for our students during school hours. All doors will be locked for the entire school day. This includes the front door. While this practice ensures safety for all it does require us to change a few additional practices.

Please be aware that we will be reinforcing the following safety practices:

1.     Going forward please be cognizant of drop off times for before school programming as the front doors are locked and the office is not fully staffed until 8 AM. If your child does not arrive as scheduled, staff are unavailable to admit them into their classroom.

2.     After School programming- Please be advised that as we tighten security, we respectfully request that parents remain outside of the building during pick up times. This includes afterschool enrichment.

Just some friendly reminders:

1.     All visitors must sign into the office and obtain a visitors badge. 

2.     When you visit the school, no matter how brief your visit is, you must wear a visitor badge. I have instructed my staff to stop any visitor, whether well-known or unknown, if they are not wearing a badge.

3.     Please do not visit your child’s classroom unless you have a scheduled appointment with the classroom teacher. Unscheduled visits are very disruptive to the classroom teacher and to student learning.

4.     Dismissal – All of our current dismissal practices will remain in place.