Dear Clay Academy Families,
Spring is officially here, bringing longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of opportunities for growth and renewal. As we move into this busy season, I want to take a moment to highlight a few important topics.
First, state testing is just around the corner. These assessments provide valuable insight into student progress and help guide instruction. We encourage students to give their best effort, get plenty of rest, and arrive at school on time each day. Students in grades 3 through 11 will participate in some type of state testing over the upcoming weeks.
With the change in seasons, it’s also a great time to focus on healthy habits. Regular physical activity and balanced nutrition play a big role in overall well-being and academic success. Encouraging your child to get outside, stay active, and make healthy food choices can make a big difference.
Lastly, communication is key to a successful school experience. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your partnership and support as we continue working together to help every student succeed.
Let’s make it a great spring!
Dr. Dan Palombit
Principal
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
In Elementary art we have been working on Groundhog Day drawings, we have been working on our self portrait bubble gum photos, and decorating masks. We also learned about Van Goh and did a Van Goh inspired landscape on canvases.
Elementary was excited to have visitors from the dentist a few weeks ago! They learned about dental health and how to keep their teeth clean. We had a great time at the Talent Show/Science Fair on March 14th!
We are working hard on our experiments for the science fair! Ms. Dolumba’s class is learning about rust, iron, and how metals become rusty. Ms. Krzeski’s class is learning all about germs and which soaps will get rid of the most germs. Students in room 6 will be learning all about volcanoes and how two substances react in a mixture.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WELLNESS
Mr. Arndt, Physical Education Teacher
We have been working on rolling and kicking. We are playing a game called Watch It where the kids try to roll the balls and knock down the other kids’ or other teams’ pins down. This game works on rolling. Students are also playing soccer, with a focus on practicing their kicking skills. Coming up in March we are starting our basketball unit.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER UPDATE
Mrs. Adams, School Social Worker
The State of Illinois has passed a law called "Erin's Law" mandating that all public schools educate children about sexual abuse prevention through age appropriate curriculum including role plays, discussions, activities, and books. The purpose of these activities is to give children the tools needed to speak up and tell an adult if anyone has ever touched them inappropriately.
The School Social Worker and School Counselors discussed Personal Body Safety during the Month of March.
This presentation included:
-Safe touch, unsafe touch, mixed-up touch
-The Boundary Zone (areas of private parts)
-The Safety Rule (No one should touch your private parts, except to keep you clean and healthy.)
-Secrets - Good vs. Bad
-Saying "No" and "Run Away"
-Identifying and learning to tell safe and trusted adults
-When someone breaks the safety rule, it is not the child's fault
Nationwide, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be the victim of some type of sexual abuse by the time they reach age 18. Through this program aimed at educating and empowering students, we want to provide your child with the knowledge and skills to use if ever affected by sexual violence.
MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
Students this month have worked on self portraits, painting and decorating jars with flowers or what looks like stained glass. They also have done a Wayne Thiebaud inspired heart and watercolor drawing which turned out amazing!
The students have been busy, busy since winter break! All of the students have been working hard the past few weeks on their science fair projects. Make sure to come see their projects on Friday, March 14th!
All middle school students are continuing to work in our reading program, Read180. Students are all working hard and doing well!
MIDDLE SCHOOL WELLNESS
Mr. Arndt and Mr. Mickey, Physical Education Teachers
Middle school physical education is in the hockey unit. We started with some drills on passing the puck and stick handling and now we are going into game play. In March we are starting our basketball unit as well. We are going to work on dribbling, then moving on to shooting, and then into some games.
MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELOR UPDATE
Ms. Sarich, School Counselor
The State of Illinois has passed a law called "Erin's Law" mandating that all public schools educate children about sexual abuse prevention through age appropriate curriculum including role plays, discussions, activities, and books. The purpose of these activities is to give children the tools needed to speak up and tell an adult if anyone has ever touched them inappropriately.
The School Social Worker and School Counselors discussed Personal Body Safety during the Month of March.
This presentation included:
-Safe touch, unsafe touch, mixed-up touch
-The Boundary Zone (areas of private parts)
-The Safety Rule (No one should touch your private parts, except to keep you clean and healthy.)
-Secrets - Good vs. Bad
-Saying "No" and "Run Away"
-Identifying and learning to tell safe and trusted adults
-When someone breaks the safety rule, it is not the child's fault
Nationwide, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be the victim of some type of sexual abuse by the time they reach age 18. Through this program aimed at educating and empowering students, we want to provide your child with the knowledge and skills to use if ever affected by sexual violence.
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM HAPPENINGS
Constitution
The students have learned about the structure of Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. They have also studied the process of how a bill becomes a law and the powers granted to Congress under Article I of the Constitution. Additionally, we have discussed the system of checks and balances that ensures no single branch has too much power.
As we move forward, students will engage in discussions about how Congress interacts with other branches of government and how legislative decisions impact our daily lives. We are also looking forward to an upcoming classroom debate on a recent piece of legislation!
Consumer Education
The students have been learning about the importance of creating and maintaining a budget, differentiating between needs and wants, and tracking income and expenses. We have also explored strategies for setting financial goals and making smart spending choices.
As we continue, students will continue with practical exercises, including developing their own personal budget and discussing real-world financial scenarios. We encourage you to talk with your children about what they are learning and even involve them in family budgeting discussions to reinforce these concepts at home.
Pre-Vocations
Students in Pre-vocation have completed their budgeting unit and have moved into a new unit about intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills. Students are learning more about themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, and jobs that align with their ideas for the future. Additionally, the students received a presentation from the office manager and dental hygienist at City Square Dental where they learned about what is needed to apply for a job, what to include on a resume, and interview dos and don’ts.
Biology
Students in biology have finally wrapped up their DNA unit. They have taken their final assessment, learned about protein synthesis, translation, transcription, DNA structure, and different genetic disorders and mutations. The students created a 3D visual of the DNA double helix as well as taking part in a lab to extract DNA from a strawberry. Lastly, students ended the unit by researching a genetic disorder of their choice and presenting their research to the class.
English
Students continue with their novels, The Naturals, Divergent and The Scorch Trials. I’ve never seen kids so interested when reading! Ask your child to tell you a little bit about the book they are reading!!!
Adult Living
In adult living, we are following the path of “Noah”. Noah has finished college, and is ready to move out on his own. He has to find an apartment, set up utilities, buy new furniture and so on. He also has begun a new job. He is trying to figure out how to navigate new projects given to him. He has also set up a new bank account and must navigate the use of a debit and credit card.
Art
In High school art we have worked on Surrealism drawings and learned about Salvador Dali and Rene Magritte. Students worked on Wayne Thiebaud inspired heart drawing with watercolors. They have just finished their beach themed acrylic paint canvas and did a tape abstract canvas painting. In 3D art students have worked on making clay cupcakes and cakes. They have been busy working on toilet paper roll sculptures. They have started learning the element of design and are currently working on making 3D bedrooms. Everyone had such amazing different ideas of designing their own rooms.
HIGH SCHOOL WELLNESS
Mr. Tschappat, Physical Education and Health Teacher
We are Looking forward to the start of Basketball. Students will learn skills and strategies and play several types of games. The unit will coincide with our annual March Madness Bracket Challenge. The winner of the Bracket challenge will receive a trophy and have their picture on our Challenge Wall of Fame.
High School Counselor
Mrs. Kraneman, School Counselor
The State of Illinois has passed a law called "Erin's Law" mandating that all public schools educate children about sexual abuse prevention through age appropriate curriculum including role plays, discussions, activities, and books. The purpose of these activities is to give children the tools needed to speak up and tell an adult if anyone has ever touched them inappropriately.
The School Social Worker and School Counselors discussed Personal Body Safety during the Month of March.
This presentation included:
-Safe touch, unsafe touch, mixed-up touch
-The Boundary Zone (areas of private parts)
-The Safety Rule (No one should touch your private parts, except to keep you clean and healthy.)
-Secrets - Good vs. Bad
-Saying "No" and "Run Away"
-Identifying and learning to tell safe and trusted adults
-When someone breaks the safety rule, it is not the child's fault
Nationwide, 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be the victim of some type of sexual abuse by the time they reach age 18. Through this program aimed at educating and empowering students, we want to provide your child with the knowledge and skills to use if ever affected by sexual violence.
Upcoming Important Dates
- February 13, 2025: Early Release @ 12:00pm
- February 13, 2025: Parent/Teacher Conferences 2:00pm-9:00pm
- February 14, 2025: No Student Attendance Day
- February 14, 2025: Parent/Teacher Conferences 8:00am-12:30pm
- February 17, 2025: No Student Attendance Day; School Closed
- March 6, 2025: Early Release @ 12:00pm
- March 24-28, 2025: Spring Break; No School
- March 31, 2025: Classes Resume
- April 9, 2025: 9th, 10th, & 11th Grade ACT testing
- April 18, 2025: No School; Schools Closed
About Clay Academy
Website: ca.woodstockschools.org
Location: 112 Grove Street, Woodstock, IL, USA
Phone: (815) 337-2529
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clayacademywoodstock