Parent Newsletter #1

Dear Cornwell Families,

It is hard to believe we are already entering our third week of school! Our classrooms are beginning to settle into their routines, our hallways are filled with familiar faces, and most importantly, our Rams are getting down to the exciting work of learning.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Back-to-School Night! It was wonderful welcoming so many of you into Cornwell and beginning the partnerships that will support our children throughout the year.

I also loved seeing the thoughtful ways our students learned about September 11th and Patriot Day last week. Across the building, our teachers created age-appropriate opportunities for students to learn about kindness, service, community, and remembering others. 🇺🇸

As we move forward, we continue with one shared goal: getting to know every child—who they are, what they already know, and what they need from us to continue growing.

Thank you for being our partners!

With gratitude,
Patricia Scollo
Principal

Wednesday, September 16

📊 Fall NWEA Assessment Window Begins

Our fall NWEA window runs from September 16 through October 31.

Students will complete assessments during the school day. These assessments provide our teachers with another piece of information to help us understand students' strengths and areas for continued growth.

👀 Looking Ahead

Monday, September 21
🚫 No School

You may hear your child talking about NWEA over the next several weeks.

NWEA is one of the tools our teachers use to better understand what students already know and what they are ready to learn next.

We want our Rams to simply take their time and do their best. There is no need for families to study or prepare at home.

A good night's sleep, breakfast, and some words of encouragement are all they need! 💛

💡 Try This: “What Makes You Think That?”

When your child shares an idea about a book, try following up with:

“What makes you think that?”

There doesn't have to be one perfect answer.

Asking children to explain their thinking encourages them to return to the story, make connections, and think more deeply about what they are reading.

These simple conversations help build stronger readers—and they can happen anywhere!

Managing Impulsivity

Throughout September, our Rams are learning what it means to stop, think, and then act.

At Cornwell, we're practicing Managing Impulsivity during the everyday moments that help our school run safely and smoothly:

🚶 Walking safely and calmly in the hallways

👂 Listening and following directions

🎒 Following arrival and dismissal routines

✋ Stopping to think before acting

🐏 Ready Ram Challenge

Show safe, calm, ready-to-learn behavior throughout the school!

💬 Continue the Conversation at Home

Ask your child:

“What does being a Ready Ram look like at school?”

Read It. Talk About It. Recommend It!

This week's challenge is simple:

📚 Choose a book together.

❤️ Spend some time reading.

💬 Then ask your child:

“Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?”

There is no worksheet and nothing to turn in. The goal is simply to read and talk together.

As routines settle in, remember that some of the most powerful learning happens through the simplest conversations.

Read together. Ask questions. Listen to your child's thinking. Celebrate their effort.

Those small moments add up—and together, we are helping our Rams become confident, curious, lifelong learners.