This week most of our students completed their fall benchmark assessments. Our kindergarten through second grade students took their Fastbridge assessments in both the areas of reading and math, and our third through fifth grade students took their reading and math MAP assessments. The data we receive from these assessments help our staff plan for differentiating their instruction to meet the academic needs of each individual student. If you have questions about the assessments or how our staff uses the data, please contact your child's teacher for more information.
Our teachers are continuing to prioritize the social and emotional needs of our students. Each classroom teacher begins the day with a morning meeting and a circle activity. This is a wonderful way for our students and teachers to begin the day. In a circle, the teacher will pose a question, and each student will go around in a circle and answer the question. Classmates must actively listen when someone is speaking. This is a great way for students to find their voices and to build trust with their classmates and their teacher. It is also a great way for them to get to know one another better. Building a classroom community is extremely important, and I give a lot of kudos to my staff for making this a priority.
Today our first group of students were recognized for being safe, respectful, and responsible (see photo below). Throughout every week, students are issued Cardinal Cards by staff if they are noticed demonstrating these expected behaviors. Then, each Friday, teachers randomly pull a name out of a box where all the Cardinal Cards are kept, and those students come down to the office where they receive a little prize, have their name announced to the entire school, and have their picture taken for my weekly message. Students love this, and they get very excited when their name is called. Congratulations to our first recipients!
I hope you all have a wonderful long weekend. See you Tuesday!
HERE ARE A FEW OTHER UPDATES:
Terrace PTC Spirit Wear Store:
Thanks to our amazing PTC, we now have a spirit wear store that is open for business 24-7. If you click here, you can view the items for sale and can make a purchase any time you would like. All items will be shipped directly to you. If you have any questions, please reach out to our PTC.
Dismissal:
Pickup at dismissal time continues to improve. Please understand that unfortunately our supervisors are not out there to direct traffic. They are there to help your children get into your vehicles safely and quickly. It is up to you, our community members, to be safe and patient as you wait for your students. Please, I ask you to be patient with us but also with one another. There is no rush to get into the front circle. If you follow the directions below, we will get your children to you more quickly with each passing day. Here are some way you can help us do that:
- Display the laminated sign you all should have received from your teacher. If you did not receive a sign, please contact your teacher to let them know.
- DO NOT wait or stand in front of a community member's driveway. The Des Plaines Police Department has asked me to remind you of this.
- Please do not double park on Westgate, get out of your car, and walk up to the front. If you want to park and get your child, please park in our parking lot.
- Do not drive to the left of the cars in the circle drive in order to leave the circle. This is dangerous and can hurt someone. Please be patient if the person in front of you is still loading their car.
- If your child is not outside when you drive up, you should leave the circle and make another pass. Please do not wait and hold up the line behind you.
- Remember, if you want to park and get out of your car to pick up your child, please tell your child to leave out of door 3 (blacktop door) so you can meet them there. We do not want to have too many people congregating in the front of the school at dismissal time.
Bus Drivers Needed:
We invite those interested to apply with First Student and join their team as a school bus driver.
Those interested can apply in one of two ways:
- https://workatfirst.com/ and put in zip code 60007 when prompted
- text 60007 to Buses (28737)
- $21-22.50/HR Starting wage based on experience
- Paid training
- $2,500 - $3,000 sign-on Bonus/retention bonus (based on experience)
- Eight paid holidays
- Weekly pay
- Guaranteed 20 hours/week
- Free college opportunities
Right At School:
If you are looking for before or after school care, please click here for more information.
School Breakfast & Lunch:
School breakfast and lunch will be free again this year.