Horace Mann Principal - Update
October 22nd, 2023
Social Emotional Learning Update
Panorama Education - The Newton Public Schools has partnered with Panorama Education, a student survey and social emotional platform, to support us in gathering information and providing school based supports.
Twice a year, in October and February, classroom teachers will fill out a short (7 question) survey that asks about teachers' impressions of student well being and engagement in the classroom. The survey will serve as a screening tool that will provide us with big picture information about how our students present in school. The data will provide invaluable insights into our students’ experiences and how we can improve and adapt our district to better meet their needs. In practice, this could include conducting whole class SEL lessons, refining Hawk Family placements, creating lunch and snack groups, or organizing peer leadership groups. Panorama Education also has a wealth of additional ideas for supporting students and helping them stay connected and engaged in school.
Panorama aligns with the same framework our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program is designed around - the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework. The CASEL framework identifies five core competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Our surveys were created to measure these same competencies.
Please reach out to me at nardellimv@newton.k12.ma.us if you have any questions or concerns.
Below is a sample of some of the questions that we ask classroom teachers to consider...
State Mandated Literacy Progress Reporting
I'm writing to inform you of the NPS district response to Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 28.03(1)(f), which mandates early literacy universal screening for all students in grades K-3. The Newton Public Schools has a robust battery of assessments of early literacy skills. Teachers use a variety of methods, including screeners, to monitor reading development, in order to provide targeted support that helps all students thrive as successful readers and develop strong literacy skills. We take this responsibility very seriously.
Current Literacy Screening Tools
In Newton, we use the following early literacy universal screeners: EarlyBird for Kindergarten and the i-Ready Diagnostic accompanied by 1-1 DIBELS tasks for grades 1-3. These screeners are endorsed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
They provide information about skills related to successful reading and help teachers understand a student's risk of facing challenges. They do not diagnose dyslexia or other reading disabilities.
Reporting to Families
Following the screening assessments, grade-level teams review results with literacy specialists and principals. As a result of the new MA regulations, families will receive a report detailing children’s outcomes within 30 school days. If your child scores significantly below benchmark levels, we will also share an intervention plan. Also, your child’s teacher will talk about this topic at your fall conferences.
This is not a new process for us at Horace Mann. We’ve been conducting assessments like the above, identifying students in need of intervention, and communicating with families in a variety of ways. Our aim is to collaborate with you in creating the best possible outcomes for your child's academic journey. We firmly believe that screening is one crucial step in fostering proficient readers. We are grateful for your continuous support and ongoing partnership in this journey. If you have any questions about the early literacy universal screening process, please contact Deana Lew, Elementary Literacy Coordinator, at lewd@newton.k12.ma.us.