December 15, 2008
RTI, NWEA, DSTP, QRI, DiBELS, and the list goes on. I wanted to reassure you that school has not become just a flurry of acronyms. MOT Charter continues to make school a place of learning, on-going assessment, and student driven activities.These acronyms represent just a few of the assessments our teachers use to help gather information about what your child knows and what they need to know. But, the most useful "assessments" are the daily observations and classwork a teacher sees a child participate in. Being self-directed, asking for help when needed, being an active listener, being inquisitive and driven to learn new things. These are perhaps the best ways to know what a child has learned and what they are ready to learn next. If we think about it in our own lives, our daily assessments are our ability to schedule our own time, balance the check book, shop within our budget, time the distance between school and dance lessons leaving time for dinner, knowing when to send the bills, and deciding who is next in line for clothes after a growth spurt, just to name a few. We are able to do these things (hopefully) because of repeated practice and a sense of necessity. Unfortunately, if we "fail" at these tasks, the consequences are more than a poor grade or a missed recess to help make it up. Giving your child the same type of inspiration in their school work helps them understand the big picture and the big reasons as to what it means to be a learner. Our job is to continually provide opportunities for children to practice, have success and understand a wealth of new knowledge, even when it includes failing a few times. I once read that confusion is a great sign of learning. It means that the brain is engaged and thinking, enough so that things don't make sense. Continue to help your child, through the confusion, through the repeated tries, and celebrate with them in their final successes. The lasting learning comes from the process. Have a joyous and safe holiday and we’ll see you next year!
October 20, 2008
Happy Fall! Each day as I drive to school, I enjoy watching the foliage change from the summer green to the burst of autumn colors. I find it a great time to reflect on the day ahead and on the changes I am already seeing at school in just these first few months. For me personally, it has been so nice to get to know even better the students and the teachers in the lower grades. The students have been so helpful in reminding me of all their names, their families, and what they love about their classrooms. They are also quite patient when I forget. In these early months of school, I’m pleased to report that our students are already rising to the classroom expectations of their teachers. Whether they call them “centers”, “workshops”, or “learning jobs” it is a pleasure to watch students become increasingly independent and self-motivated in their school work. While our middle schoolers seem more familiar to me, I have seen great changes in them as well. This year has been the best by far concerning student engagement in the learning process. Anyone would be hard pressed to walk down our middle school wing and not hear about the latest debates, the Constitution, catastrophic science events, the student -run school store, their jazz performance, or the latest ACE question. Students have been working hard, thinking and sharing about what they are learning. It’s amazing to watch unfold. An added benefit is the great reduction in thought and energy surrounding dress code and behavior issues from years past. Go Mighty Mustangs!
Next week is our DSTP testing in Science and Social Studies for grades 4 & 6. Please make an extra effort to be well fed and well rested for testing days.
Our first Middle School Dance (grades 6-8) has been moved from Halloween night to the following Friday, November 7th. Tickets will go on sale shortly.
Congratulations to all of new Student Government Officers. The campaigning was well executed and made for some very close races. Thank you to Mrs. Angelus for her direction and help in making it all happen. Thank you also to last year’s officers and homeroom reps, you’ve laid some great groundwork for our new leaders.
November will also bring our 7th & 8th grade Musical Theater Production of “We Haz Jazz”, the end of our first trimester of learning, and parent/teacher conferences.
Some logistics reminders--- The schoolnotes.com website has recently undergone an upgrade. Their timing was unfortunate for us, as we are still having some technical difficulties getting all of our links to match. Thank you for your patience. In the meantime, you can always go directly to www.schoolnotes.com or to www.newschoolnotes.com to access the teacher pages. All classrooms grades 3-8 have access to online grades at www.teacherease.com. If you have lost, or never received a password, please send your e-mail address and child(ren)’s names to Tera Harrigan in our office at tera.harrigan@mot.k12.de.us and she’ll get you set up.
Please continue to call, e-mail or stop in to share your concerns, questions and celebrations. It all helps MOT continue to be the best place possible for all of us.
Thanks—Elaine Elston - Principal
August 22, 2008
WELCOME BACK!
Our first few days of school made me feel as though our students had never left. Their ease in meeting new teachers, getting used to new schedules, starting their new curricula...it all went off without a hitch. Lots of smiling faces and everybody looking sharp in dress code.
Thank you to our custodial staff for their great job in preparing our building and the classrooms, and to the teachers for making their rooms so welcoming.
Some new people you will see this year are Mrs. Little, our math specialist, Miss Kenney, our 6th grade Special Education teacher, Mrs. Foulk, our Business Education teacher and Mr. Willey our new Chief Custodian. We welcome them to MOT Charter School and hope you will do the same when you see them in the halls.
Adding to our joyfilled faces in our first wing is Mrs. Gemmato who will be teaching 2nd grade this year. Mrs. Forey has taken a job much closer to her home and her new baby.
This year we will be working hard across the grade levels to make our writing scores even stronger and to give students many opportunities to write across the curriculum. In this day of electronic communications, encourage your children to write extended letters and thank you notes at home. Keeping personal journals and writing about family events are great ways to keep the ideas flowing. Every little bit helps!
New this year is our introduction of Math Trailblazers in grades K-4. While 5th grade has been using it for 2 years, and 6-8 uses a similarly based program (Connected Math), we are looking forward to great continuity from K-8 by adding to our program. Our teachers have enjoyed and learned much from their training and are eager to set the environment for increased mathematical thinking in their classrooms. Although our students may just view it as more fun!
Enjoy the rest of this beautiful August weather (when was the last time we could say that---and not be sarcastic!)
And be sure to call or e-mail any time with questions, concerns or compliments. Mrs. Jennings and I appreciate any and all feedback as it helps keep our programs and our school headed in the best direction.
Thank you for sharing your children with us!
Go Mighty Mustangs!
Mrs. Elston
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