The Feeser Focus

Dear Staff,

I hope you enjoyed a little bit of Dolly today!

• Coat of Many Colors → “We may all wear different colors, but together we make one amazing school.”
• From 9–5, if you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours. → “Be the reason someone has a recess-worthy smile!”
• Pour yourself a cup of ambition. → “Keep calm and teach on—sometimes we all need a refill!”
• You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try. → “Be brave enough to try…even when the lesson plan says otherwise!”
• The magic is inside you—there ain’t no crystal ball. → “You don’t need a crystal ball—you’re already the magic in your classroom!”
• We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails. → “When the school day gets a little stormy, adjust your sails and keep teaching!”

“It takes a lot of heart to teach, a little bit of Dolly, and a whole lot of coffee!”

Take care of yourselves this weekend, enjoy some time to recharge, and I’ll see you Monday!

Have a great weekend, Hurricanes!
—Principal Stanley

This week, we will be holding an Emergency Preparedness Meeting for Grades 3-4 on Monday, September 28, after school.

Please see the schedule below:

• 3rd Grade, Mrs. Regan, Mrs. Garver, and Mrs. Mohler:
  2:15–2:25 p.m. — 3rd Grade Hallway

• 4th Grade, Mr. Brewer, Mrs. Garner, Mrs. Clifford, Ms. Leddin-Edmiston:
  2:30–2:40 p.m. — Door 2

• 5th Grade, Jamie Balyeat, and Mr. Miller :
  2:45–2:55 p.m. — 5th Grade Pod

Thank you for your continued commitment to working together to ensure a safe and supportive environment for all of our students.

~Christy

As you look at your Acadience data, think about what it is telling you about your students and your instruction. Our strong Tier 1 CKLA instruction is where it all begins! For students who need a little more, Tier 2 gives us the opportunity to provide extra practice targeted to the specific skills they need. Tier 2 is in addition to—not instead of—Tier 1 instruction. Small, focused practice can make a big difference!

Great conversations are happening as we look at this data. Remember to focus your conversation on what students CAN do and how WE are going to get them there.

~Lisa

16 Elements of Explicit Instruction

16 Elements of Explicit Instruction (Archer & Hughes, 2011)

Why Explicit Instruction?

16 Elements of Explicit Instruction

The 4 Buckets of Explicit Instruction

1. PLAN IT — Elements 1–6
Be intentional about what students need to learn and prepare them for success. Identify the most important learning, sequence it logically, break complex skills into manageable pieces, communicate the goal, and activate the knowledge students need before new learning begins.

2. TEACH IT — Elements 7–9
Show students exactly what to do and what success looks like. Model the skill step-by-step, explain it clearly, and provide examples and non-examples so students have a clear picture of the expected learning.

3. ENGAGE THEM — Elements 10–14
Get students doing the thinking and practicing—not just watching. Provide guided practice, require frequent responses, monitor student understanding, give immediate feedback, and maintain a pace that keeps students actively engaged.

4. MAKE IT STICK — Elements 15–16
Help students organize, practice, and retain what they have learned. Connect new learning to what students already know and provide repeated, cumulative practice so skills and knowledge become lasting learning.

Monday, September 28: 3-5 Emergency Preparedness PD (see Christy's schedule)

Tuesday, September 29: Team Planning

Wednesday, September 30: Work on Vector Training - no staff meeting

Thursday, October 1: PLC grade level areas - Use of AOD begins today!

Friday, October 2: Team Planning

You should have received your email links to complete Vector trainings. Please let me know if you did not receive yours. Please work on these when you have time and be sure to complete them prior to the deadline 10-30-2026.

Looking ahead:

Emergency Preparedness PD (3-5) 9/28

Grandparent's Day 10/2

Hispanic Heritage Night - Literacy Themed w/Special Guest Mr. Pierri 10/8

Parent Teacher/Conferences October 20 and 21st in the PM

Track or Treat October 29 at Rice Field 5:30-7:30

• Video Tutorials
• AOD Overview: https://youtu.be/DdLyE8KYF8E
• Time-off/Leave Requests: https://youtu.be/fkSX5DYlmww
• Approving Timecards: https://youtu.be/i4EF6DshB5Y
• Manual for reference link
• VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER: ECS is a hands off school district. Call for support from the Crisis Team when needed. All Crisis Team members must be CPI Trained Try this instead: Talking Points Physical Engagement w/Student
• ECS Seclusion and Restraint Plan
• Please see the updated procedures for acquiring CPR certification CPR Certification 2026-2027
• 2026/2027 Calendar for Grade
• Please remember to have your students take their iPads to STEM with Ms. Ledden.

• Field Trips: When planning your field trips this year, It is very important to board buses at the appropriate times. The bus routes are extremely tight this year and there is no room for late departures back to the building. Also, please DO NOT request specific drivers. Field Trip meals should be requested at least 2 weeks in advance please as food needs to be ordered and allergies need to be checked. Please see the Meals on the go SOP. (No permission slips needed)
• Please notify the cafeteria or Food Service of any special events or planned testing days where mealtimes and/or counts may vary.
• Breakfast and Lunch Menu

The full Board policy on employee use of social media is linked here. Please take time to review it carefully and consider how these expectations apply to your use of social media.

• Post Announcements and Newsletters: All school and classroom newsletters should be sent through ParentSquare.
• Send Alerts and Reminders: Quickly alert families about urgent or time‑sensitive information. BEST PRACTICES
• Create Group Messages: Target messages to specific classes, teams, or parent groups.
• Direct Messages: Send direct messages to parents. Best Practices
• Schedule Posts: Draft now, send later.
• Share Photos and Videos:Highlight student learning and special moments.
• Post Signups and Forms: Collect information from families seamlessly.
• Schedule Conferences: Coordinate parent‑teacher meetings within the platform.
• Using Savvas w/Canvas

• Get Started and Learn More:

• PSQ Academy: eCourses for Admin, Staff & Teachers

• ParentSquare Knowledge Base

• Video Library

DIstrict Assessment Calendar

Acadience Testing: BOY window 9/8 - 9/25

iReady Math: BOY window 9/8 - 9/25

ECS iRead Practice: window 10/5 - 10/9

ILEARN Checkpoint 1: window 11/3 - 11/13

CogAT:

WIDA:

IREAD3 Testing:

ILEARN summative Testing:

I AM Testing:

IREAD May Retest:

State Assessments Resources: Be sure to check out the newly added ILEARN Resources

• The ILEARN English/Language Arts (ELA) Stimulus Specifications provide guidelines for the creation and/or selection of appropriate stimuli (including passages, audio excerpts, and media) for ILEARN Through-Year assessments. The guidance addresses appropriate kinds of texts, grade-level appropriate topics, complexity, and other features pertinent to the ELA content area.

• ILEARN Summary Writing Rubrics ILEARN Rubric: Research Writing

• This folder houses released ILEARN ELA Performance Task Passages and Items for instructional use.

• Reminder of using ILEARN Math Pacing Guide from Alex.

• Please refer to the IREAD 3 test blueprint as you prepare students for this test. Please read the IREAD item specifications as you prepare students. The IDOE IREAD released item repository is beneficial as you prepare students for the test to use items as bell ringers and/or exit tickets.

• Test Blueprints for ILEARN (Math). Test Blueprints for ILEARN (ELA).

Coming soon...