Hawk Happenings: Parent Newsletter

Dear SHELC Families,

As a reminder, during the months of November and December, our learners are scheduled to be in school five days a week. Consistent attendance plays a key role in academic success, and we appreciate your support in ensuring learners are present each day and ready to learn.

With cooler weather, please make sure your child comes to school with a jacket or coat. If your family needs assistance with winter clothing, please let us know — we are happy to see how we can help.

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to our learners’ success. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Smith

The mission of the St. Helena Early Learning Center is to foster a culture of literacy and numeracy through small group and multi-sensory learning experiences that support learner success and promote strong community engagement

• Prioritize phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.

• Use CKLA, DIBELS, and Amira to monitor and support reading growth.

• Build number sense and problem-solving using Zearn and hands-on strategies.

• Emphasize conceptual understanding with math talks and models.

3. HQIM Implementation

• Teach CKLA and Zearn with fidelity and consistent lesson internalization.
• Align instruction to standards and curriculum pacing guides.

4. Data-Driven Instruction

• Use assessment data to group learners and adjust instruction.
• Monitor progress through iReady, DIBELS, and classroom checks.

5. Developmentally Appropriate Practice

• Integrate academics with play, movement, and SEL.
• Support learner engagement through routines and interactive centers.

6. Differentiation

• Scaffold instruction to meet individual needs.
• Use flexible groups, visuals, and supports for all learners.

7. Vocabulary & Oral Language

• Teach key vocabulary daily.
• Provide frequent opportunities for structured conversation.

8. Clarity & Ownership

• Use child-friendly learning targets and success criteria.
• Encourage goal setting and self-reflection.

Our District Vision is to create an equitable, productive school culture that increases learner success, develops educator effectiveness and builds public confidence.

Here’s how it works: I’ll send home flyers like these throughout the year. If you decide to place an order, you can do that through our class ordering page. Your books will arrive at school about 10 days after I submit our order.

By teaming up with Scholastic, we’ll help your child become a more confident, independent reader—and we’ll build a classroom library.

Order due date: 12/01/25
Shop our class page: https://orders.scholastic.com/Z6KTH

Happy reading!

TEMPEST SMITH
Class code: Z6KTH

Learners who scored below benchmark on DIBELS are eligible for extra support through the Steve Carter Tutoring Program. This program provides free, high-quality tutoring to help strengthen reading skills.

If your child qualifies, we encourage you to apply using the link below:
👉 https://www.louisianatutoringinitiative.com/s/

Thank you for partnering with us to ensure every learner succeeds!

Our school is participating in the Community Coffee Cash for Schools Program! ☕️ Please collect Proofs of Purchase from Community Coffee products and send them to school with your child. Every label helps us earn money for resources that directly benefit our learners. Thank you for your support!