From Superintendent Andrew Melin, Ph.D. for the week of April 25, 2011:
Response to Instruction (RtI) helps VCS meet the needs of individual students
Response to Instruction (RtI) is a federal and state-level initiative all school systems are implementing in which educators adjust their instructional practice to meet individual student needs. This process has been in place in our school system and has helped many students, but we hope to continue to enhance our RtI program to reach even more students in future years.
A critical component of the RtI process is to establish specific criteria used to identify those students not only who need academic assistance, but also those students who need to be enriched at higher levels. Currently, RtI teams, composed of general education teachers, special education teachers, administrators, and counselors and/or social workers, have been established in each of our elementary schools and both middle schools. Identified students are referred to the schools RtI team where each students’ academic issues are discussed, and a plan is developed to meet each students’ academic needs. Once a plan is finalized, parents are contacted and the students’ plan is shared. The plan is monitored to assure satisfactory progress is made, and follow-up meetings are held as necessary.
Beginning next year, we hope to use our late-start Wednesdays to increase our level of professional collaboration as we discuss student progress on a weekly basis. Student academic issues will continue to be a primary focus of our RtI process, but we will also begin to focus on student behavioral issues. We also hope to use the RtI process to identify those students, particularly at the elementary level, who are identified as high ability students to better differentiate our instructional practice in order to meet their needs..
The RtI process is being implemented throughout the state and will help VCS accomplish its mission of maximizing the learning potential of each student.
VCS News
The multiple choice portion of the ISTEP+ assessment begins this week. It is important for parents to assure their children are getting plenty of sleep and eating properly this week.
The week of May 2 is Teacher Appreciation Week. VCS is fortunate to have such a strong group of talented and dedicated teachers.
VCS Standouts
This Saturday (April 30) the Cooks Corners’ PTA will host its annual Kid's Clothing Sale from 7 - 11 a.m. Interested families can purchase, at low cost, gently-used clothing and books that are appropriate for elementary aged students. All proceeds will be used to help support academic endeavors.
TJMS Assistant Principal Jim Polite was approved at last week’s school board meeting to succeed Paul Knauff as principal at TJMS beginning next school year. We have been fortunate to have Mr. Knauff’s leadership and look forward to Mr. Polite’s tenure.
Important Dates:
- April 25 Special School Board Meeting, ISTEP+ Testing Begins
- May 2 Teacher Appreciation Week
- May 11 Viking University
- May 13 Snow Make-Up Day