From Principal Matt Goldstein

 9/28/2018      

Dear Families,

I hope everyone has been enjoying the warm, summer-like weather we have been having this week.  As September winds down, and October approaches, our work here continues.  At this point in the year, teachers are beginning to wrap up initial assessments on each student, especially in the areas of reading, writing, and math. This data helps teachers structure their lessons, scaffold and differentiate their instruction, and help each student work towards individual growth. 

Beginning this year, across PPS, 3rd - 5th grade teachers will be utilizing a new assessment tool in math called the MAP Growth. The assessment will be given during three “windows” throughout the year and will help give staff a better picture of student progress throughout the year.  As a part of this plan, our 3rd-5th grade teachers will also be participating in the piloting of the MAP assessment in literacy.  Please note that these assessments are replacing different tools(s) that have been used in previous years and are not being added on-top of other tests.

I wanted to pass on a couple updates to our staffing.  Diane Newton-Prior, our Library Assistant has accepted a new position at Glencoe Elementary.  Diane tells me that she will greatly miss the students, staff, and families at Duniway, but looks forward to returning to Glencoe and reconnecting with the community.  With Diane’s departure, Media Specialist Heather Boyd’s FTE has increased to near full-time.  She will be assuming the full responsibilities for our library.  All students will have two visits to the library during the week – one focusing on checking out books and the other focusing on media, research skills, and technology.  We have almost completed assembling a great group of Educational Assistants.  Sarah Lewis will be working with Kindergarten; a soon-to-be hired person will support 1^st and 2^nd grade; and Christy Suib and Karen Blecha will be supporting students in 3^rd – 5^th Grade.  Finally, Sangyoon Oh will be supporting two students with special medical needs.  In addition, she will be supporting students in 4^th and 5^th grade.

This past Tuesday, we had our first Lockdown drill of the year.  A Lockdown is triggered in the event that there is an immediate and serious threat in the building or very near the school.  As I have discussed before, our staff takes these drills, and the safety of all our students, incredibly seriously.  We also provide the appropriate developmental “balance” when we practice and talk about lockdowns.  We want our students and staff to be prepared, but we also want to ensure students that they are safe and cared for at school.  If you have any questions about safety at Duniway please feel to connect with me.  You should have received an email recently from PPS describing security upgrades (video/buzzer entry systems and PA speakers in hallways, gym, cafeteria for example) that will be occurring at all PPS Schools over the next year.  I will keep you posted when I have information about when we might see these changes at Duniway.

On October 9th, from 6:30 - 7:30 PM the Duniway PTA and the Duniway School Climate team will be welcoming Drew Laurence and Sidney Morgan.  Drew and Sidney both have extensive experience and knowledge in the areas of school climate, restorative practices, and social-emotional learning.  Drew is a Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) who serves a number of schools in the Cleveland Cluster, including Duniway.  Sidney provides Restorative Practices trainings throughout PPS and worked with the Duniway staff last spring.  They both are incredible teachers and great resources.  I hope you are able to attend and hear more about their work and the work going on at Duniway.

I wish you all a wonderful weekend.

Regards,

Matt