Sunday, October 20, 2019

This year I am working with kindergarten through fifth grade students. Half of my day is spent teaching in students' classrooms, either collaborating with teachers or teaching a small reading group, and the other half I am teaching small groups of students in my classroom. Last year I wrote and was awarded a grant to purchase the SIPPS curriculum (Systematic Instruction of Phonics, Phonological Awareness, and Sight Words) for Lawton to use as a reading intervention curriculum. This curriculum is written by the same organization who wrote our district's literacy curriculum, the Center for the Collaborative Classroom, so it has been beneficial to students to have the same connections to their classroom learning.

Another role I play at Lawton is helping facilitate district assessments. One of the requirements is an extensive reading assessment called the Fountas and Pinnell Benchmark Assessment that is administered twice a year. It is really incredible to be a part of listening to students of all ages reading! I also make sure all the materials are accounted for and the data is properly compiled.

Lastly, this year I took on the position of the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) Coordinator. MTSS is a team of teachers and staff that meets regularly to assure that all students are succeeding academically, behaviorally, and socially. I greatly enjoy the responsibility of helping students have all their needs met and learning more about the education system.

I live with my husband Nick, our neurotic Shiba Inu Mazie, and our daughter, Lyla, in Green Lake – but you’ve probably seen Lyla bouncing around the Lawton playground! We enjoyed some time at my Great Uncle’s cabin on Camano Island this summer.

• We will be starting our recorder studies in a few weeks.
• Recorders will be provided by the school.
• Some students have expressed an interest in getting their own recorder to use at home, which is not required but can be helpful for practice at home. Amazon has several recorders that will work. Mrs. Cooper’s recommendation is the Yamaha YRS-24B, which is a good sounding recorder for $5.99. 
• If you choose a different one, make sure the recorder has baroque fingering. 
• Students will be playing recorders at their March concert and for the Seattle Symphony field trip in May. 

• We are starting our recorder unit this week. 
• Please send your student to school with their recorder from last year.
• If you are unable to find the one from last year, please consider purchasing one on-line (see recommendation in 3rd grade section above).
• If your child is new to Lawton, Mrs. Cooper will provide a recorder for them to use at school.

We could see some dramatic changes in high school graduation requirements in Washington state, due to a law that would lessen the importance of standardized test results. Students would still take federally-mandated exams in school, but they would not be required to pass them. Why the change? Lawmakers say there is a need to adapt to various students’ learning styles and career paths. 

What do you think?

The state's Board of Education will hold a public hearing Oct. 24 in Olympia, where anyone interested can voice an opinion. People who can’t make the meeting have until Oct. 28 to email comments to rulescoordinatorSBE@k12.wa.us.

Welcome to the best, easiest passive fundraiser ever! Looking for cozy leggings? New pajamas? Fuzzy fleece? Or just basic shirts that will go with everything? 

Shop Primary’s premium, soft, colorful basics for kids (without logos, slogans or sequins), all while earning money for Lawton!

Use our school’s unique link every time you shop, and 10% of that sale goes directly back to our school. Cha-China! Plus, new customers get 25% off their first order with code: LAWTON.

If you have any questions, please reply to this newsletter, and we'll get you in touch with Carrie Bruno. A big thanks to Carrie for setting this up!

Fall Festival Dance Workshop

Students in grades K-8 are invited to join the Ballard High School Dancers for an afternoon of dancing. All participants will learn choreography (taught by the BHS Dance Team members) and receive a BHS Dance T-Shirt.  We'll have arts & crafts, face painting, and other fun activities. Costumes are encouraged! A small snack will be provided (gluten, dairy, and nut free). Join us on Sunday, October 27 from 2:00 - 4:00pm in the Ballard High School Gym. Click HERE to register or email us at bhsdanceteam@gmail.com for more information.

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