September News

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Goals: ELA 33%, Math 32%, Science 26% Making Progress 52%, Reclassify 16%

Dear Welty Family,

Welcome to September!

We are excited to begin this month filled with learning, growth, and fun. Our teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare engaging and enriching experiences for your children.

This year, we’re taking inspiration from the spirit of adventure and heart found in DreamWorks’ Shrek. Just like Shrek’s journey beyond his swamp, our students are stepping into new adventures—discovering their own “layers,” overcoming challenges, and finding the magic of friendship along the way.

Shrek shows us that even the biggest obstacles can be faced with courage and a little humor. Donkey reminds us of the power of positivity and laughter, while Fiona teaches us the value of resilience and embracing who we truly are. These lessons will guide us as we encourage our students to aim high, work hard, and support one another.

We’re excited to see the incredible things our students will accomplish this year. Together, we’ll make learning an adventure worth celebrating—because, as Shrek reminds us, sometimes the greatest journeys lead us right where we’re meant to be.

Warm regards,
Mariebeth Silva
Principal, Mary Welty

• 🎡 9/12 – Santa Cruz County Fair Field Trip

• 📃9/12- Progress Reports

• 🌍 9/16 – ELL Parent Meeting

• 📸 9/23 – Picture Day

• 🛍️ 9/29 – School Store Begins

🍎 Congratulations to Ms. Garcia! 🍎

Ms. Garcia is an outstanding teacher who goes above and beyond for her students every day. She creates a positive and welcoming classroom where all children feel valued and supported. Her dedication, patience, and passion for teaching shine through in everything she does. We are proud to recognize Ms. Garcia as our Teacher of the Month! 🎉📚✏️

📖 What is DIBELS?

DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of short, quick assessments that help schools see how students are progressing in their reading development. These assessments allow teachers to identify students who may need extra support and to adjust instruction to meet their needs.

📝 How It Works

• In August, your child took the DIBELS assessment to check their reading level.

• Based on the results, teachers create a plan to support your child’s growth.

• Students are monitored on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis, depending on their individual needs.

The goal of DIBELS is simple: to make sure every student receives the right help at the right time so they can become confident, successful readers.

📗 Beginning of Year Reading Goals (August–November)

Our goal is for students to build strong reading fluency skills by reaching the following benchmarks:

• Kindergarten – 37 letter names & 25 letter sounds

• 1st Grade – 21 words per minute

• 2nd Grade – 78 words per minute

• 3rd Grade – 105 words per minute

• 4th Grade – 121 words per minute

• 5th Grade – 122 words per minute

💡 Ways to Support Reading at Home

Here are some fun and effective strategies to help your child grow as a reader:

• Partner Reading – Take turns reading pages or sentences with your child.

• Choral Reading – Read a passage together at the same time to build confidence.

• Reader’s Theater – Act out short plays or stories to practice with expression.

• Daily Read-Alouds – Read to your child and let them follow along with the text.

• Word Hunts – Search for sight words or spelling patterns in books, magazines, or signs.

🎥 Check out the video below for more games and activities to make reading fun at home! 😁

📚 Why School Attendance is Important for Elementary Students

• ✅ Builds Strong Learning Habits – Attending school every day helps children develop responsibility, consistency, and routines.

• 📖 Supports Academic Success – Students who attend regularly keep up with lessons and perform better on tests and assignments.

• ⏳ Prevents Falling Behind – Each lesson builds on the last, and missing school makes it harder to catch up.

• 🤝 Encourages Social Growth – Regular attendance helps children build friendships and practice teamwork.

• 🌟 Strengthens Confidence – Being present helps students feel included, capable, and connected to their class..

• 🚀 Sets the Foundation for the Future – Good attendance now creates habits that lead to success in middle school, high school, and beyond.

The Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) initiative provides the only federally funded source dedicated exclusively to out-of-school-time programs.