A Piece From The Principal's Puzzle

We learned this past week that our very own Blossomwood Elementary School has been selected as a 2025 CLAS School of Distinction for the remarkable program that we call D.O.G.S. - Dads Of Great Students! This is a prestigious honor as Blossomwood was recognized as one of only four (4) schools in District 8 and one of 32 schools in the entire State of Alabama! As you are probably aware, this excellent program was designed to encourage more father figures to be visible and help at our school on Fridays. Thanks to the D.O.G.S. leadership of Mr. Zach Hall and our Blossomwood PTA, D.O.G.S. has become a wonderful part of our sustained success at Blossomwood. The school will be honored at a luncheon in May in Prattville, Alabama.

Thanks again to all of our D.O.G.S. volunteers, and we would also like to thank everyone for the positive message you continue to share in the community about not only our D.O.G.S. program but also about our students, our teachers, and our collective effort.

If we don't brag on our children, who will? Let's keep doing great things, Blossomwood!

March

7 - Last Day of the Grading Period & 1/2 Day Students

10-14 - Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)

24-28 - Bookfair

28 - Kite Day during P.E. Classes

We had an excellent Black History program last Friday with individual students and student groups sharing what they have learned about some of the famous Black Americans that we have been studying recently. Our program also included special performances by many students, including our sixth grade choir and band. Everyone had a fun time, and we hope you enjoy some of the pictures below from our celebration!

ACAP, which stands for the Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program, is an online assessment designed to provide students, parents, teachers, administrators, and Alabama residents with information regarding student progress toward mastery of the Alabama Course of Study Standards.

• Students in grades 2-6 take assessments covering English language arts and math.
• Students in grades 4 and 6 are also tested in science.
• Each April all 2nd - 6th grade students will take the assessment. Below are resources to help parents understand what will be tested and there is a link to an online practice website that will show you examples of what the online test will look like.
• Students may also use the practice test to learn how to use the online testing tools so they may become proficient in the testing format.
• We encourage families to spend a few minutes reviewing the ACAP Practice Testing Portal as it will not only ease the level of stress often associated with testing but it will positively impact the students' scores.

Online practice link

• ACAP Practice Testing Portal - Then, click on the ACAP Summative Online Training Tools box

Returning from Absence(s)

• Within two days of returning to school from an absence, students must bring in a signed and dated note to the attendance office from their parent, guardian, or doctor stating the reason for the absence.

Checking Out:

• Please arrange all appointments after school or during school holidays. Students will not be allowed to check out after 2:00 p.m. as the staff begins ‘end of the day’ procedures and preparation for dismissal.

Travel:

• Family trips and vacations should be planned around the school calendar. Absences due to family trips or vacations are unexcused and a student will not be allowed to make up daily class work, assignments, and homework upon the student’s return to school. The student will be allowed to make up all tests and exams.

ABSENCES:

• Additional information and Huntsville City Schools’ (HCS) Guidelines for student absences may be found online (www.huntsvillecityschools.org)
• A written excuse should be sent to the teacher within two (2) days of an excused absence or the absence will be coded as unexcused.
• HCS Student Services monitors absences through electronic records. After five (5) unexcused absences or ten (10) total absences - whether excused or unexcused - parents will be contacted by a social worker. Reports must be made to the Office of Pupil Services for an excessive number of tardies.
• Questions concerning the school system’s attendance policy may be directed to HCS Student Services (256.428.6890). Alabama’s rigid state laws regarding student attendance govern HCS attendance policy.
• Feel free to e-mail Mrs. Cottrell, our office manager, your child’s excuse (sherri.cottrell@hsv-k12.org).

Concerns about Student Learning, Teacher Procedures and Instruction

• If you have concerns, talk with your child’s teacher(s) FIRST as she/he best know your child’s work at school. If resolutions cannot be made in a meeting with the teacher(s) first, and you need to talk with an administrator, call the school to arrange a return call or to request group conference. During the school day the principal is often in classrooms.

Each year we encourage our students to continue learning during the extended breaks such as Spring Break. This Wednesday your child will bring home a sheet in his/her Blossomwood folder with the directions for participating in the voluntary Spring Break Learning Challenge which includes a reading, math, and family event challenge.

More specifically, one ticket can be earned for completing the reading challenge, one ticket can be earned for completing the math challenge, and/or one ticket can be earned for completing the family challenge. To be clear, a student can do one, two, OR all three challenges. We will be giving away several donated prizes including gift cards for ice cream, wireless headphones, etc.

Please see below for additional details.

The record sheet (on the back) for the Challenge is due on Monday, March 17, 2025 to Dr. Scott. An adult signature is required at the bottom of the completed sheet.

The main function of the house system is to develop a sense of identity or belonging and to celebrate achievements. Schools with a structure or system like this cite the positive impact it has on the educational experience and school culture. Students report how it helps them form friendships and closer bonds with peers, and teachers share that students seem to enjoy seeing a connection with students in other classrooms as well as other grade levels. As a school, we also believe our new House System supports our school mission statement and vision.

During the first week of school or upon enrollment, all of our students and staff have the opportunity to digitally "spin" the wheel to randomly sort each student into one of four groups or houses — Emerald, Garnet, Onyx, or Sapphire.

Our House System is designed to:

1. Create school-wide community by creating opportunities for students to connect to staff and students in other classes and grades that share their house. Older students become natural leaders by mentoring and supporting younger students. Mentoring also extends to teachers and school staff members who are also assigned to a house.
2. Create a culture of belonging as students are recognized for accomplishments both academically as well as their choices related to behavior.
3. Emphasize building character through a reward system that goes beyond earning a piece of candy for doing something good. Each individual achievement adds to the collective house/group, making the reward hopefully more meaningful and social.
   
4. Provide opportunities to praise and accentuate positives for both individual students and collective groups of students.