Hello Howard Families,
Fall is in full swing, and we're excited to share some updates with you as we head into November. It's been a positive start to the school year, and we're grateful for your ongoing support.
Our students have been diving into lots of different learning adventures, and there's so much growth happening in our classrooms. Take a moment to chat with your child about what they're enjoying most!
Mark your calendars for our upcoming Fall Conferences on November 25 and 26. Keep an eye out for a message from your child’s teacher to sign up for a time. It's a chance to connect, get updates on your child's progress, and brainstorm ways to support their learning journey. Your partnership is invaluable.
Wishing you well,
Mrs. Pearson
Conferences are right around the corner! The Medford School district has set aside Monday, November 25 and Tuesday, November 26 for this important opportunity for students, parents, and teachers.
Appointments will be scheduled during the hours of 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM on Monday, and 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM on Tuesday. You will have the chance to set an appointment time that works best for you through an online format. Your student’s teacher will provide you with detailed instructions and the link to make your appointment on or before Monday, November 4. If you do not have access to the Internet, please call the school office at (541) 842-3760 to contact your teacher.
Our conference format will include the following components:
information about standards, assessments, and grade level performance expectations
examples of your student’s work that demonstrate his/her proficiency level toward meeting standards
an opportunity to discuss individual progress and needs with the teacher, and to set goals for academic and social growth
additional steps for home to increase and promote learning
Childcare will be provided in the music room for siblings during conference times.
Communication between home and school is extremely critical in providing an effective instructional environment for our children. As we prepare for conferences, we look forward to your insights about your child and your input about the school year. As a parent, you provide valuable information, enabling us to better address your child’s needs.
Dear Families,
At Howard, we believe that every day of learning counts! Regular attendance not only helps your child succeed academically, but it also fosters social skills and builds friendships. We understand that absences can be unexpected, especially when your student gets sick. If your child stays home, please call the office to let us know. We miss each and every student when they are not at school.
Beginning in the month of November, we will be tracking each class’ attendance. When a class meets the daily attendance goal, then they will earn a letter. As soon as that class earns all of the letters in the chosen word (hint: our first word is MUSTANGS), they will earn a pizza party! This school-wide incentive will run all year (with different prizes). All classes will earn a prize as they complete words. The class who spells the most words by the end of the year will have an extra special prize!
Thank you for your support!
Mrs. Elrod
Katie Warner, your SEA here wanting to update everyone on the Social and Emotional happenings here at Howard. Once a month at Howard we have Wellness Wednesday’s. This is dedicated social and emotional learning time in the morning, where two different grade levels come together as one. We call this our kindred classroom. For example we have 5th graders working with Kinders on Wellness Wednesday. They will listen to a lesson on a social and emotional topic such as respect, kindness, responsibility to name a few. Then they complete a craft together that goes with the topic of the lesson. In October we came together to create a unity tree with our kindred class focusing on bullying and how we can stop it.
If you like, try asking your child these questions: Who is your kindred classroom? What did you write or draw on your unity tree leaf?
Have a Marvelous Halloween!
Cary Nelson, Support Staff
My background is in art and writing. Portraits and sequential/animation-related are the things I have the most fun with. I have multiple collections ranging from old Hollywood, Disney, books/art, interesting objects, etc. Thrift stores are where you will probably run into me. Currently living with family. Including a dog and two cats. I'm looking forward to being around this environment more and helping with something that is lasting; education.
Emily Gee-Clark, ELD Teacher
I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and moved to Oregon five years ago. My husband Tom and I live in Grants Pass with our two spoiled cats, Bear and Buster. I love to knit, cook, garden, fly fish and curate my wardrobe (buy clothes). This year I'm looking forward to making new friends here at Howard. I'm so glad to be here!
