What do teachers do on professional development days? On Friday, the elementary staff participated in LETRS training. According to their website, The LETRS® (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) Suite is professional learning that provides educators and administrators with deep knowledge to be literacy and language experts in the science of reading. LETRS for educators is an investment in teachers' literacy knowledge and professional practice. Teachers gain essential skills to master the fundamentals of literacy instruction required to apply and transform student learning. Teachers completed the first half of LETRS training during the 2020-21 school year and are expected to complete the final half this school year. The training is paid for by the literacy grant written by principal, Tonya Schmidt, and school psychologist, Amy Ellis.
On Monday, October 4, elementary staff members reviewed Restorative Practices, part of our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The belief of restorative practices is that humans are "happier, more cooperative and productive, amd more likely to make positive changes in their behavior when those in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them." The use of restorative practices helps to reduce crime, violence, and bullying, improve student behavior, restore/build relationships, and repair harm. If your childtalks about "circling up" or using circles in the classroom, that is part of restorative practices. To learn more, click here.