Spring Updates from Dr. Dewitt

Happy Friday, GW Families -

Spring is here and we are spending our day celebrating Earth Day and our March Book Bracket champion, Gaston! I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few reminders and a few important items:

* First, thank you very much to those who were able to attend their child's conference. I am proud to say that we had over 90% participation! We truly value your involvement in your child's education and we can't thank you enough!

* Next, a reminder that PSSAs will continue during the next two weeks. We were so proud of our students for taking such a positive approach to the ELA tests a few weeks ago! All 3rd, 4th and 5th graders will take math tests next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Our 4th graders will take science tests the following week. Thanks for ensuring that your child gets plenty of rest and a healthy breakfast each day.

* Yesterday, we kicked off our "2nd Annual Wolf Pack Challenge" at an all-school assembly. This fun run/fundraising event will take place on Friday, May 12th. Packets of information went home this week. Please visit our PTO blog for more information: http://grayswoodspto.wixsite.com/gwpto/wolf-pack-challenge.

* Its hard to believe that the end of the school year is quickly approaching. Our last day of school will be Wednesday, June 14th. Dismissal will be at 12:15pm.

* Once again, our generous PTO is supporting our Summer Library program. Students will receive information about this great opportunity next month and will receive a bookmark listing dates and times.

* Finally, in a month or so, grade level teams will meet with me to begin thoughtfully grouping students into classes for next year. The faculty at all SCASD elementary schools take this responsibility very seriously and commit to carefully considering each child’s needs as we carefully assign heterogeneous groups of students to each classrooms. Making decisions about placement is a complex process, which considers students’ social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. In addition, grouping decisions are based on the following criteria: instructional needs, teacher observations, level of achievement, learning characteristics, special needs (i.e. health concerns, instructional support/services) and programmatic considerations (i.e. class size, gender balance). Given the complex nature of assigning students, we are not able to accept parent requests for specific teachers. Rather than make a request, we are inviting you to provide input about your child’s learning that will be taken into consideration during grouping and will provide valuable information for your child’s assigned teacher. Providing this information is optional. If you wish to do so, please complete the Student Grouping Form (one for each of your children) and return to the office (emailed to me or hard copy) no later than Friday, May 12, 2017.

Please contact me anytime with questions or concerns.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend -

Kristen Dewitt

#WolfPackChallengeRun #SummerLibrary #PSSAs #conferences #studentgroupingform