PALS love to LEARN!

 

At Summerside we use the DIBELS universal screener to assess and monitor student's reading skills in grades k-5. On Friday August 6,two of my principal PALS ( Clough Pike & Merwin) went with me to learn the new version of this universal screening test. Our school psychologist friends, Carrie Pugh and Nathan Dumford ( CCESC) were at this workshop too. It was hard work, but together we got the job done. We even had a terrific lunch at Frisch's in Fairfield. Administering DIBELS is time and labor intensive. We work as a team 3 times a year at school to give this assessment to all 560 SE students. This year, the DIBELS team will begin the Fall benchmark tests on September 20. I hope everyone has been reading a lot this summer. I know I have!

This past week Mrs. Bonkosky, Mrs. Jones and I went back to school to learn about how the best teachers teach math. There were a lot of other teachers and principals from West Clermont there for the week. too. We learned how to use math tools, problem solving and our love of math increase our skills. The teachers are excited to try some of the strategies with their students! It was a challenge to put on my learners hat and become a students again for 1 whole week. Teachers and principals are life long learners.

Ms. Stiles moves to Seattle

With sadness in our hearts but excitement in our prayers, we wished Ms. Stiles a fond farewell as she prepared to move back to Seattle, Washington state this month. Ms. Stiles will join Julia who has been in Seattle with her grandma and grandpa (as well as extended family) since late May. Ms. Stiles promised to send me pictures of her trip across our great nation as she makes this long journey. I look forward to sharing them with you!

The Early Childhood Learning Center

 

I visited the Early Childhood Learning Center on a field trip at the CAYL conference. Here are a few shots of the amazing resources the ECLC has for their students.

CAYL Conference Columbus

Over the last 4 days, I have been in Columbus focusing on best educational practices in Early Childhood Education (grades K-3). Mrs Laura Nazzarine, our director of Special Education went to the conference with me and learned about what makes Summerside a Ready School. Pictured are Mrs. Berta Velilla (Child Focus) and Mrs. Chris Humphrey (Success By Six, a United Way agency) who attended this exciting conference too. This year, Head Start will house two of it's preschool classrooms in West Clermont schools, Brantner and WT Elementary school, for the first time. One of our goals for this year at SE is to expand our community partnerships with our preschool and daycare partners.

Mackinaw City, Michigan

We just spent the July 4th weekend on Mullett Lake which is about 25 miles from Mackinaw City. The weather was terrific and so were the fireworks! Mr Crahan, principal of Clough Pike Elementary School, let us stay in his lake cottage. We took our old boat, our old dog,and our kids. Upper Michigan is a wonderful place to vacation. If you ever go to the "UP" be sure to cross the Mackinaw bridge into St. Ignace. There is a lot to see and do in this scenic area.

On Friday, July 2, Mrs. Beth Perry current PTO co-vice president spent the afternoon at GFS Eastgate helping visitors sign up for their GFS Care Card. This card allows a percentage of your GFS purchases to benefit the student activity fund at Summerside each time you shop. New enrolees got a chance to win a grill and received a $5.00 off coupon their 4th of July weekened party supplies. Thanks Beth! you look very festive ( I love the balloons !) and thanks to everyone who came out for this fun event! Over 100 people signed up to support our school! It's great to be loved and supported! Go Summerside, Go Eagles!