Literacy Lookout

Quarter 4: May 2023

Literacy LookoutQuarter 4: May 2023

State testing is done and the countdown to summer break is on!

It is hard to believe that the 2022-2023 school year is coming to a close. We are so proud of the things going on around the district! We know that many changes have been thrown your way and we appreciate all of your hard work! As we bring the year to an end, take time to reflect on your year and find the wins! You have put forth so much effort and it doesn't go unnoticed! Thank you for being dedicated to our students and continuing to grow and learn as educators! We hope that you will take the summer to rejuvenate and relax! Here's a quick update on the world of literacy at Mapleton!

- What's Been Going On -

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MES Summer Reading Program

Mapleton Elementary Kicked off the Summer Reading Program on May 9th! Students and families came and decorated a tote bag and filled it with free books. ALL students in grades K-5 can participate over the summer even if they didn't attend the event. Students need to read at least 10 stories and fill out the Google form for each title. Students will receive a prize when they return this Fall! Happy Reading!!
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IMSE Orton Gillingham Morphology Training

Last week, MS & HS intervention specialists were trained in Orton Gillingham Morphology. Teachers completed the 30-hour training and now have a better understanding of morphology, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension and how to apply it in the classroom. We are excited to utilize this next school year! Thank you to Tri-County ESC for providing vouchers for our teachers!
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Visits from Keystone and Ashland City

Over the past few weeks, we have had visitors from Keystone Elementary and Ashland City Schools. They loved seeing all the wonderful things our teachers and students are doing with regard to curriculum and assessment! Thank you to the teachers that met with them and allowed them to visit your classrooms! They were very appreciative of the opportunity!

- End of Year Benchmarking -

We have finished our benchmarking for the year and wanted to share the percentage of students on track at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. It is important to note that the benchmark does get harder each time and that students are given the same type of assessments, but not the exact same assessment. We are happy to see growth in many of our students! We have to continue to remind ourselves that closing students' gaps cannot be done overnight, but with slow and steady progress. We plan to continue to focus on our district goals and continue to implement Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, Structured Literacy K-12, and literacy approaches across every grade level and content. Everyone is responsible for the growth of our students and we appreciate you for finding ways to embed literacy into what you do! It takes all hands on deck!

- Upcoming Learning Opportunities -

We want you to use your summer to rest and relax, however, some people have asked about summer professional learning opportunities. Here are a few that are coming up in regards to literacy, teacher leadership, gifted learners, and dyslexia! These are great opportunities to enhance your knowledge and professional learning! Please let us know if you have any questions!
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Supporting Students Who Are Gifted: Aligned with the Science of Reading

When: May 24, 2023

Where: Virtual 4:00 pm- 4:45 pm


Participants will gain information on the highly effective literacy approaches that support students who are gifted. We will explore the characteristics of gifted readers, gain insights on literacy instruction that lifts their learning, and provide an overview of the needs of students who are Twice Exceptional.


To register click here.

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K-3 Dyslexia Modules Training Series

When: June 5, 12, 20, 26, 30

Where: Virtual 10:00 am-11:00 am


Participants will independently complete the K-3 Dyslexia Modules through ODE's LMS. This training series is being provided by State Support Team 7.


Click on the flyer to learn how to register.

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Ohio Literacy Academy

When: June 8, 2023

Where: Columbus, OH


The sixth annual Literacy Academy will provide professional learning to support the use of evidence-based language and literacy practices. This event is intended for Ohio districts, schools, and early childhood education programs working toward raising literacy achievement. There are no registration fees to attend this event.


To see the session agenda and to register click here.

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Teacher Leadership Summit

When: June 14, 2023

Where: Columbus, OH


The purpose of the Summit is to bring together educators from schools, districts and organizations doing innovative work to develop teacher leaders and to share their successes, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming challenges around teacher leadership implementation. The Summit offers an opportunity to become engaged with a statewide network of teacher leaders and administrators to promote and strengthen teacher leadership in Ohio.


To see the agenda and register click here.

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The Writing Rope Self- Paced Book Study

When: June 5- July 19

Where: Virtual


The Writing Rope is a framework for explicit writing instruction in all subjects. Joan Sedita's innovative Writing Rope weaves multiple skills and strategies into five fundamentals of a comprehensive writing curriculum: critical thinking, syntax (sentences), text structure, writing craft, and transcription (spelling and handwriting).


To register for the FREE book study use the link below: https://bit.ly/Writing-Rope

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TCCSA: Breakfast Bytes

When: Tuesdays in June, July, August

Where: Virtual from 9:00 am- 10:00 am


Topics include:

Autocrat, Canva, Blooket, Google Earth, Online Safety, Financial Literacy, Chat GPT, Gradebook, SameGoal Refresher, etc.


To get more information and register click here.

- Local Grant Opportunity -

Teachers are always looking for ways to add resources to their classrooms, but taking the time to write a grant during the school year is hard to fit in. Don't forget that you could apply for the Ashland County Community Foundation Teacher Mini-Grant during the summer! The deadline is September 15, 2023. Joe Ortiz and Katie Hennessy are both involved with selecting recipients for the ACCF grants and would be great resources to answer any questions!

- What's Coming Next Year -

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Amplify CKLA coming to Grades 3-5

Next school year, we will implement Amplify CKLA in grades 3-5. We will then have a Structured Literacy Curriculum in place for grades K-8. Our 3-5 teachers will be trained in early August and then a follow-up training will be provided for K-2 teachers on Small-Group Instruction during our November professional development day.
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Writing Revolution District Book Study

Writing will become a focus across the district next school year per our district literacy goals. We plan to use the Writing Revolution as a guide to advancing thinking through writing in all subjects and grades! More information will be coming, but in the meantime, if you're interested in what the book entails, visit The Writing Revolution. Thank you to State Support Team 7 for helping to provide some of the books for our district!
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Dyslexia Screening in Grades K-3

We will administer and screen all students in K-3 for dyslexia. Our district has created a framework on how and when that will take place, it will be shared at the beginning of next school year. We will be using DIBELS 8th edition (mCLASS) as it is an approved screener.


If you want to know more please refer to Ohio's Dyslexia Guidebook.

- District Literacy Team -

Please note that our email addresses are changing as of June 30, 2023!

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Shelby Ortiz

Literacy Coordinator

sortiz@imountie.org

419-945-2188 (8180)

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Cassie Newcomer

PreK-6 Literacy Coach

cnewcomer@imountie.org

419-945-2188 (4123)

@lit_coach_cass

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Cassie Swanson

5-12 Literacy Coach

cswanson@imountie.org

419-945-2188 (6163)

@swanson_cassie