Weekly Update – Jan. 18th

Principal Message

IRE Families,

This week, you will receive a message from your child’s teacher to sign up for conferences if you have not already. We are excited for these valuable connections and conversation that will be taking place in our school community. They are not just a time for discussion of academic progress; they are a celebration of partnership, growth and shared goals. Your insights play a crucial role in your child’s educational journey and in improving our practice.

As a reminder, conferences at IRE have the following qualities:

• Clear Agenda: Each conference will have a clear agenda, with evidence of gathered input from families and students.
• Student-Led Component: Conferences include a student-led component that encourages reflections and insights from your child.
• Grounded in Evidence: Conversations are grounded in evidence, such as student work, assessments, and other academic achievements.
• Supportive Resources: Families will leave with strategies and resources to support learning at home.
• Academic Overview: The conferences will share what has happened academically and provide insights into what will happen academically in the future.
• Follow-Up Plan: There will be a “follow-up” plan with shared accountability to ensure ongoing support for your child’s academic success.

Thank you for bringing your student to the conferences at your time only. We also ask that you plan for those early release times because we want to ensure that all students have supervision. Unfortunately, we cannot supervises students waiting for their conferences after school.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or the front office.

Best,
Tyler Dockins, Princpal

Instructional Spotlight – Technology We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on some of the work of our teachers, namely Heather Berkompas in 5th grade and her use of instructional technology in the classroom. While laptops are a valuable tool in our educational work, Ms. Berkompas showcases how instructional technology goes beyond our Google Chromebooks. Our school takes a holistic approach that is also mindful about how much time students are spending on screens. Community support through the technology levy makes it possible to have Ms. Berkompas’s 5th grade students engage in a daily oral language routine where she can model revision of sentences to uphold high expectations for conventions and grammar. This document camera allows for a quick “show call” where she can have students evaluate each other work by having a number of students show and explain their revisions. This is just not possible on a whiteboard. We extend a heartfelt appreciate for the support of our families and broader community for their unwavering support through the technology levy. The levy makes it possible for educators likes Ms. Berkompas to use more dynamic teaching methods.

Bingo night has been rescheduled: IRE Family Bingo Night Free Meridian High School Wednesday, January 31 6-8pm Concessions available

ACCESS for ELLS

Each year, students in English learner programs take an assessment to measure their English knowledge and skills. This assessment is called ACCESS for ELLS.  The test measures academic English language proficiency for students learning English in our school and throughout our state.

Teachers in our school use this information to help them make decisions about instruction for your child. Teachers also use these test scores to monitor the progress your child makes toward English proficiency.

LOST AND FOUND Our lost and found is consistently increasing.  Due to this issue, all lost and found items will be donated on the last school day of each month.  If your student is missing a jacket, gloves, hat. lunch box, etc. please ask them to stop by our lost and found prior to the last day of the month and see if it’s there.  Parents are also welcome to check the lost and found during school hours.  Make sure to check in at the office in building A before doing so.