Alternative Learning Experiences
LRA and TEAM staff have been faithfully communicating with students about remaining on target with their school work and informing students and families about student progress. Families have reported positively that they very much appreciate this communication and the efforts we take to keep them informed!
At TEAM, we anticipate 2021 being the largest graduating class in school history with nearly 60 graduates! We have been able to keep up with this large group of potential graduates because of the amazing additions to our staff this year, Joni Meize as a paraprofessional and Preston Brooks as a teacher. TEAM had another early graduation ceremony on April 17 for eight students who have finished all of their graduation requirements. We look forward to June 9, 2021, to celebrate the rest of our amazing graduates!
Family and Community Resource Center
We applied for and were awarded an additional $2,500 for the Washington State Homeless Student Stability Education Program Grant. The initial award was for $15,000 to provide extra hours for our district translator at the FCRC. The added $2,500 will cover some additional hours and will go towards the purchase of shoes for our 5th-12th grade students experiencing homelessness. Shoes for our elementary students are provided by the Assistance League of Southwest Washington.
Washington’s eviction moratorium on evictions is scheduled to end on Wednesday, June 30th. Our FCRC is working with Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Legal Aid on hosting a clinic in Woodland regarding this and other legal advice for low-income families.
Our FCRC is continuing to plan with staff and community members for our first Latinx & English as a Second Language “Drive-Through Resource Fair” on Saturday, May 15th in the Columbia Elementary School parking lot.
Gabby has been working closely with Stacy Mouat to do home visits, providing school supplies and school clothes, and setting up transportation for our students struggling with attendance and engagement.
K-12 Attendance
With the start back up of in person classes, we have started to focus on re-educating families about the expectations for student attendance. The goal is to ensure that as we continue to resume school activities, that students are present in school. For some of our students and families, the last year has developed a misconception that school attendance is optional, so we are attempting to comply with the attendance/truancy laws while encouraging engagement in classes for students.
Stacy Mouat has been communicating with students and families through text messaging, emails, phone conversations, and home visits. During these conversations, Stacy has been able to help students and families find solutions for students to get back into a daily routine of school.
K-12 Health Services
Kerri Six has completed our required annual school immunization reports for the Washington Department of Health. I appreciate how much Kerri has leaned in to help our district during this pandemic!
LAP Program
The LAP program continues to review student data (Acadience Progress Monitoring) and make instructional shifts as necessary. We are beginning to forecast our plans for the 2021-22 school year in terms of resources, scheduling, and staffing. Our LAP teachers have been signed up for an Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE) training in June to continue our education and work with students who display characteristics of dyslexia.
Beginning in the 2021-22 school year, students in grades K-2 will be screened for indications of or areas of weakness associated with dyslexia. School districts will use Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in grades K-2 to communicate and collaborate with parents and families about student literacy development, screening results, and potential literacy interventions. Our LAP team is meeting regularly to put plans in place in an effort to effectively meet the state dyslexia requirements.
Special Services
We have begun a partnership with Multnomah Educational Service District (MESD) in Oregon. MESD will be serving one of our students who has been in the Diverse Support Program at Columbia Elementary. I am impressed so far with the student support from the MESD team, and I look forward to growing our work with them as needed for our students.
Title Program
We are hard at work planning for WMS summer school and organizing the data for the 2021-22 school year student schedules. WMS Title is also collaborating with the elementary LAP team to increase instructional supports in WMS reading intervention classes for students with dyslexia.