Salamander News 03/14/2021
New information . . .
It's like family coming home . . .
Welcome back to all of our in-person fourth- and fifth-grade students. They will all be back at the same time tomorrow for the first time in a year! This is something to celebrate!
Family Intention Form for 2021-2022 (Please complete now if you have not done so already.)
The 2021-2022 school year is quickly approaching. Our hope is that Salem Elementary has met your family’s needs in what has been a very challenging time for everyone. Our focus continues to be committing ourselves to strong relationships with all members of the Salem community, engaging our students in meaningful learning, and providing rigor for all. We look forward to continuing to partner with families to meet all students’ needs.
By completing this form by the deadline, you can help us ensure that Salem continues to be a great place to teach and learn. Having an accurate count of our students for next year allows us to keep and hire the best teachers available, assign those teachers to the correct grade levels/tracks, and balance classes across grade levels. Having an accurate count of our students for next year also helps us assign students to tracks, plan classroom locations, and acquire any necessary furniture and learning materials.
Please complete this form for each of your children at Salem Elementary in kindergarten through fourth grade. Your response is requested by Friday, March 12th. We understand that changes can happen after the deadline, but we would appreciate it if you would let us know of such changes right away by calling our data manager, Mrs. Doherty, at 919-363-2865, extension 21723. (https://forms.gle/cxanc42XkND4JkLC7)
Cameras On=Greater Learning!
Please support us in encouraging all students to keep their cameras on during remote learning unless the teacher says otherwise. We wouldn't think of hiding students' faces in the physical classroom. Seeing a student's face helps the teacher know if he/she needs to regain the student's attention or clarify information. We have found that students are much more likely to be off task, or out of the room altogether, if their cameras are off. We also know that it is not always possible for families to closely supervise children during remote learning throughout the day. We need to make every learning moment count! Please help encourage your child to focus in the Virtual Academy classroom the same way that he/she would focus in the physical classroom.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cameras
Q: What if I don't want other students and families to see into my house?
A: Most students know how to change their backgrounds in Google Meet already. This allows the student to be visible while everything behind him/her is hidden. Please communicate with the teacher if you need help with this feature.
Q: How will I know if my child has his/her camera off in class?
A: Principal Evans is encouraging teachers to communicate with the families of children who consistently have their cameras off. Teachers will be checking with families to confirm that they do not mind if the teachers encourage their child to keep his/her camera on.
Q: What if we are worried about confidentiality and don't want our child to have his/her camera on?
A: We will not force any student to have his/her camera on against his/her parents' wishes.
Dreambox Math Update
Research shows that completing five or more lessons per week in Dreambox leads to higher growth in math over a year. We will be recognizing students, classes, and grades in different ways over the course of the year with a focus on growth for every student.
Top 5 List (Average Lessons Per Week in March)
Mrs. Williams: 19.0
Ms. Valdez: 16.3
Ms. Berk: 15.8
Ms. Devenish: 14.5
Mrs. Damore: 12.0
Previously shared information . . .
Revision to March 29th and March 30th Remote Learning Days
Earlier in the year, our understanding was that March 29th and 30th were designated as remote learning days with live instruction. Recent communication from the school district, including an updated year-round calendar, now identifies these two days as asynchronous remote learning days. This means that there will be no live instruction. Teachers will spend the day collaboratively planning rigorous instruction and discussing how to best meet the needs of all students. Here's what you can expect:
- The teacher will host a brief morning meeting to take attendance and give directions for the day.
- Students with individualized education plans (IEPs) will meet online with a special education teacher.
- Students who are served in ESL will meet online with an ESL teacher.
- Students who receive intervention from one of our instructional assistants will still receive this support.
Please communicate with your child's teacher if you have any questions.
The Single Subject Acceleration (SSA) nomination window will be open from February 22-March 22 for students currently enrolled in grades K-5. To nominate your student, please complete this form.
SSA Testing will take place online between April 19-May 7, 2021.
There will be a virtual Parent Information Meeting on Thursday, March 4th at 5:00pm. Parents are highly encouraged to attend before nominating their child for SSA.
For more information on the SSA program, contact Mrs. Taranto at ataranto@wcpss.net.
Salamander Shoutouts!
Families, if nobody has told you lately, you are doing a great job during this challenging school year! The staff at Salem Elementary appreciates the way that you have partnered with us to make this a great year for students.
In the first semester, many family members generously shared positive comments about staff members using our Salamander Shoutouts link. This feedback has been very appreciated by our staff in these challenging times. We would like to provide this opportunity again. Please click here if you would like to share any kind words with our staff (e.g... teachers, instructional assistants, custodian, office staff, support professionals . . . ). We often include these comments in our weekly memo for staff.
Upcoming Dates
- Link to revised WCPSS second semester calendar
03/15: All in-person fourth- and fifth-grade students begin attending school in person daily.
03/15: Track-change request window closes.
03/17: Asynchronous remote learning day.
03/29-03/30: Asynchronous remote learning days
03/31-04/13: Trackout (no school for students)