CH Bird Family Newsletter

Turnaround Plan Update

Dear CH Bird Families and Caregivers,

As we move through the school year, our staff is working hard to make C.H. Bird a place where every student feels safe, supported, and excited to learn. Below are a few updates about how we are helping students grow in the areas of Collaboration, Student Learning, and Culture & Climate.

Collaboration: Working Together for Students

This fall, our staff has been learning a new Problem-Solving Process. This process helps teachers, specialists, and other staff work together when a student needs extra help. This could be support with schoolwork or social and emotional skills. By teaming up, we make sure every student gets what they need, when they need it.

Our goal is to give each child the right support at the right time so they can be successful.

Student Learning: Time to Grow

Each grade level now has a special 30-minute learning time, four days a week, called WIN Time—short for “What I Need.” During WIN Time, students work in small groups based on what they need most. Some students practice skills to fill learning gaps. Others work on enrichment activities that challenge them.

Across the school, we have:

• 36 small groups receiving extra academic help
  
  

• 17 groups for boosters or enrichment
  
  

• 22 social-emotional interventions helping students build confidence, manage feelings, and improve relationships
  
  

Teachers check student progress often so we can see what is working and make changes when needed. We will share updated reading and math growth with families after our next testing window this winter.

Culture & Climate: Celebrating Students

This summer, we improved how we communicate with families so information is clear and consistent. A big goal for this year is making sure every student is recognized for positive choices and actions.

We are proud to share that we are meeting our schoolwide goal: over 80% of students are receiving at least two positive acknowledgements each month. These may be notes, emails, or phone calls home. When students feel seen and appreciated, they are more confident and ready to learn.

We will continue to build a positive, caring school community for all students and staff.

Looking Ahead

Thank you for your support and partnership. When families and staff work together, students thrive. We look forward to continuing this work and helping every student grow and succeed at C.H. Bird.

Chess Club: We are hoping to offer the very popular Chess Club again this year, but we need your help. We are looking for someone to co-lead the club with a staff member. Ideally this person knows how to play chess, is comfortable working with elementary students and is available for an hour each week from 2:45-3:45 pm one day a week. There is a stipend available to compensate this person for their time. If you or anyone you know is interested in this opportunity, please reach out to Jenny Divney via email jadivne@sunprairieschools.org or by phone 608-834-7338

F.A.S.T. (Families and Schools Together) is a family engagement opportunity that CH Bird offers. The sessions are 8 weeks long and we meet every Thursday from 5-7:30 PM. Dinner is provided and the whole family is welcome to participate. The Bird families that have graduated from the program highly recommend it and wish they could sign up again. For more information, please contact Jenny Divney. To register your family, please click on the link included in this FAST flyer.

Veterans Day Breakfast Invitation- Please invite any veteran that you know to join us on Tuesday, Nov. 11th for a special breakfast in their honor. Veterans will also be invited to visit a classroom to talk about their experience.

January 13th - CH Best Meeting - 6-7:30pm

January 19th - No School

January 26th - No School- Staff PD