CHITTICK TEAM WEEKLY

ALL BPS schools have three priorities to support our 90 Day School Improvement Plan

Priority #1 Equitable Literacy Instructional Focus

• Teachers will unpack curriculum units and lessons in order to understand goals,UdL elements, anticipate barriers, monitor student responses, and plan discussions that develop students' understanding.

• Students will use discourse and appropriate academic vocabulary to develop conceptual understanding and build skills to meet grade level objectives.

Priority #2 Climate and Culture

Increasing student sense of belonging and/or safety

• 100 percent of K-6 days will start morning with a Welcoming Practice that establishes structure and predictability and allows students to connect with one another to create a sense of belonging and community.

• 100 percent of classroom communities will engage in weekly community building circles:

K-6 Second Step Lesson

Priority #3 Attendance

Chittick School will put attendance at the forefront of our work since we know it is a critical component to student success. We will strive to improve attendance for ALL students at Chittick at every tiered level of need. Specifically, we will aim to significantly increase the number of students with 90% or greater attendance.

• All identified chronically absent students will increase their attendance percentage.

• School staff will utilize available systems to identify students in need of attendance support, guide outreach and create intervention / support plans for a range of school and community based needs.

• Increase the daily attendance rate to 95%

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.”

— Alice Walker, novelist and social activist

Black History Month Lessons and Resources (NEA)

Resources for Teaching Black History Month (CT Dept of Ed)

Top Resources for Black History Month (EBSCO)

Black History Month Resources (Music Impact Network)

Smithsonian’s History Explorer: Black History Month

Black History Month (National Council for the Social Studies)

Black History Month Resources (MTA)

• Black History Month - February 2025

• February 17th - Presidents Day

• February 18th-21st - February Recess

I hope you are enjoyed the snow this weekend and did something that brings you JOY!!

We are all very busy, however I want to reiterate the importance and expectation of professionalism. Our ultimate goal is to maintain a positive and supportive work environment where all staff members feel valued and respected. By upholding standards of conduct and communication, we continue to set a positive example for our school community and contribute to a culture of mutual respect and continued collaboration.

Looking forward to a great week of learning and continued collaboration.

Best,

Ms. Burnett

As a constant reminder, please do not allow doors to be ajar or propped open at any time this includes recess, arrival and dismissal. All staff members should be actively supervising students during arrival, dismissal and out door recess. Please be vigilant, with directing ALL visitors to the main office. It takes the collective efforts of our entire TEAM to ensure safety for our community.

Our chronically absent rate was 30% at the end of last and we have reduced it to 23%. Our school is one of the top 20 improved Transformation Schools in the first 90 days. Thank you for all of your hard work following up with families.

A shout out to our Attendance TEAM that meets weekly with our Region's attendance officer to review chronically absent students.

Please ensure you post your daily attendance by 10:00 a.m.

The One Hundredth day of school will be celebrated this week.

Teachers are encouraged to have fun and plan activities for our classrooms for

Let's have fun celebrating this significant day of the school year!!

These will be the last Pathway Programs this year for individuals who need Moderate Disabilities or ESL licenses to maintain their positions or to apply for SY25-26 positions in March. The cycle two winter/spring programs begin on Monday, February 24th.

• See flyer and application here: Pathway Programs Flyer, Cycle 2 Winter-Spring 2025.pdf

• Contact Nick Balasalle, nbalasalle@bostonpublicschools.org

The BPS Office of Health & Wellness is promoting staff wellness in schools.

Healthy school staff are better able to manage stress, foster a joyful climate, and model healthy behaviors for students.

Did you know that acts of kindness are good mentally, emotionally, and physically? Participate in “Kindness Makes the Heart Grow Stronger” to promote kindness within our school and community. Visit website.

Location: 154 Ruskindale Road Hyde Park, MA 02136