Edgewood's Tiger Talk

We're lucky to have a group of dedicated professionals at Edgewood who are committed to ongoing professional learning and growth. Our leadership team has a fancy name--School Leadership and Innovation Team--or in short, SLAIT.

Every year, SLAIT is responsible for guiding the process of identifying an area for us to focus our learning and growth as a staff. Currently, our focus is on refining our reading instruction to ensure that every student gets all the instruction they need to think critically as they read. Last year, we focused on phonics and word study. This year, we're zooming in on background knowledge. Because, no matter how well students can read the words, if they don't have the right background knowledge and vocabulary, they'll have a hard time understanding it.

In reading, one of the ways we're addressing this is by focusing on developing knowledge about what to expect in each kind of book. For example, in a fiction book, you're focused on the problem. And if you know the problem that you're paying attention to, it's a lot easier to know what details are important, and which are not. We're incorporating a few days before each new reading unit begins to build some background knowledge on concepts and vocabulary students will need to succeed in the unit. Students and staff alike are having fun with what we call "Bend Zero."

How might you help at home? Encourage your child to preview the book before reading it. Look at the front cover, and if applicable, read the blurb on the back. Ask them to predict what the problem will be. If you're reading a non-fiction book, spend some time looking at the headings, and talk with your child about what they think they'll learn in that part. (Kids often skip headings--these can REALLY help you understand because they give your brain a guidepost).

If you're curious about this work--teachers and I are excited to talk about it!

It was wonderful to see so many people at conferences this week. We have one more night of conferences next Thursday from 4-8pm. If you haven't signed up yet, you still have time!

SIGN-UP HERE

Three reminders:

• There is one conference time slot for each student. For students who live in two different households, we ask that you work together to sign up for and attend the same conference. This not only assures a spot for each student, but it allows for the continuity of information shared.
• Aim to arrive 3-5 minutes before your conference so you can park and get to where you need to be on time. Conferences are scheduled back to back, and we want to make sure we have enough time to talk with everyone.
• During conferences, drop by the gym and the music room to talk with Coach K and Mrs. McClanahan about how your children are doing in PE and music!

This month we bought dinner for the teachers when they worked a long day for conferences this week. Word has it, it was a hit!

After a busy fall, we have a bit of quiet through December. But in the winter and spring months, your EHSA would love to plan events that are of interest to you and your families! Please fill out this form to let us know what community fun events you would be interested in attending and/or volunteering for in the coming months.

Please fill out THIS QUICK SURVEY to let us know what events you think would be great to do this winter and spring!

Together,

Your EHSA Team

"Conduit for Community"

Many of you shop on Amazon. Did you know that you can earn money for Edgewood's Home and School Association while doing it? You can give more $ to your child's school by doing what you'd do anyway!

1) Go to smile.amazon.com

2) Search for your charity: Edgewood Home and School Association, Inc."

3) This only works from the desktop site, not from the app.

11/8: Voting Day. Model citizenship for your child. There is a question related to funding our Greenfield Schools on the Ballot. You can find more information here.

11/10: Evening Conferences

11/23-11/25: Thanksgiving--No School

11/29: Zupa's Fundraiser (eat at Zupas and raise money for school!)

12/8: Panda Express Restaurant Fundraiser

12/23-1/2: Winter Break

1/3: EHSA Meeting, 6-7pm. Hear some of the inner-workings of 3rd grade from Mrs. Paulus and Ms. Snyder, and meet our reading specialist, Mrs. Hannis! We'll also have a school report card discussion with Mrs. Boyd and plan fun events for the winter and spring.

1/13: Early Release (Report Card time for teachers)

1/16: No School--Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

Email: mboyd@greenfield.k12.wi.us
Website: https://www.greenfield.k12.wi.us/schools/edgewood/
Location: 4711 South 47th Street, Greenfield, WI, United States
Phone: 414-281-5750