Hoot Off The Press
WEEK OF OCT 20th
Dear Families,
As we move further into the school year, I want to take a moment to share a few key academic priorities that are shaping teaching and learning at our school.
One of our main goals this year is ensuring that our curriculum is fully aligned with state standards. This means that every lesson your child receives is carefully connected to what they’re expected to know and be able to do at each grade level. Our teachers are working together to make sure instruction builds consistently from year to year, giving students a clear path to success.
We’re also focusing on writing strong, performance-based objectives—clear learning goals that help students understand not just what they’re learning, but why. These objectives guide daily instruction and help students take more ownership of their progress.
Finally, we are committed to building students’ academic vocabulary. Learning and using the right words—whether in math, science, reading, or any subject—helps students think more deeply, speak more clearly, and write with confidence. You may hear your child using more “big” or subject-specific words at home, and that’s something to celebrate!
These schoolwide efforts reflect our commitment to high expectations, clear learning goals, and strong communication—both in the classroom and with families. As always, thank you for being our partners in learning. When we work together, our students thrive.
Thanks for all you do to help our students be successful.
Charity Ballard
Principal
Winchester Avenue Elementary School
