The Soaring Eagle News (Week 4)

What a start to the week! We hope you all fared well with minimal to no damage from the storm on Monday. We truly appreciate your patience and flexibility during the early release. It’s in moments like these that our Alderman community shows its strength and resilience.

As we head into a fresh week, don’t forget about Mad Science Night this coming Tuesday, from 5-7 p.m. This will be an evening filled with fun, exploration, and even food, plus some helpful information from your child’s teachers. We look forward to seeing everyone there for a night of learning and family fun!

Upcoming Events & Reminders:

• Alderman Family Feedback Survey: We value your input! Be on the lookout below for the "Alderman Family Feedback" Survey linked in each edition of the Soaring Eagle newsletter. This is a space for you to share your ideas, concerns, or even a positive note about our school. We appreciate your partnership and collaboration in everything we do!

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• Beginning of Year Paperwork 2024-2025: The deadline for returning students to complete this paperwork in Scribbles is October 1st. This is important for updating things like emergency contacts, address changes, bus transportation, and medical information. Please note that the FERPA release is included, and without it, we are unable to publish a student’s directory information for things like yearbooks, honor rolls, and newsletters.
  
• Progress Reports: Be on the lookout for progress reports to be sent home this coming Friday September 27th.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to help our Eagles SOAR. Have a wonderful weekend, and we look forward to seeing our students SOAR even higher next week!

The month of September is focused on assessing where our students are academically so that we can better plan instruction and help all students reach proficiency in grade-level standards by the end of the school year. In third grade, this is particularly important as it marks the first time students will take a state-given final exam, the EOG. To establish a baseline of what students know in relation to the expectations for third grade, they will take the Beginning-of-Grade (BOG) assessment. It's important to note that students are not expected to be proficient on this exam at the start of the year. Throughout the school year, students will also take benchmark exams like NC Check-ins, which will track their progress in mastering grade-level standards and guide teachers in tailoring their instruction.

In addition to the BOG, beginning-of-the-year (BOY) assessments like Aimsweb and Dibels help teachers gain a clear understanding of each student's strengths and areas for growth. These assessments provide valuable data to design lessons and assignments that meet the unique needs of each student. BOY assessments are also essential in identifying students who may need additional support, guiding schools to provide evidence-based interventions. As teachers track student progress over time, these assessments serve as a foundation for instruction, ensuring that we’re taking the right steps to help every child succeed.

At Alderman Elementary, we believe that strong, two-way communication with parents is key to fostering a positive and successful learning environment for all students. As part of our ongoing commitment to collaboration, we’ve created a form to gather your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. This form will be available in each newsletter, and we encourage you to complete it anytime you have feedback. Your input will help guide decisions made by our school leadership team as we work together to support our students. Thank you for being a valued partner in the education of our children!

This opportunity brought to you by the Family Support Network of Southeastern North Carolina will cover topics such as "Positive Parenting for Children with a Disability," "Helping Your Child Reach Their Potential," and "Changing Problem Behavior into Positive Behavior." These are Virtual sessions starting at 6:00 pm on September 19 & 26th.

To register, email REGISTER.FSN@GMAIL.COM

Mark your calendars for a night of exploration and discovery, September 24th from 5-7 PM! Our Science Family Night is a fantastic opportunity for students and families to engage in hands-on science activities together.

The purpose of the Family Advisory Council is to give opportunity for family stakeholders to provide input on the district's Parent & Family Engagement policy, identify needs of the district and provide input on how we allocate our federal funding (not just Title 1). Representatives will not only bridge the gap between the district and the families we serve, but will also work alongside administration and school teams to help increase family engagement at Alderman.

Progress Reports will be coming home on September 27th. Please review these reports with your child and continue to support their learning at home

The NC Farm to School art contest encourages public school students in grades Kindergarten through fifth to create artwork showcasing “North Carolina Agriculture” Each year 13 winners are chosen and their artwork featured in the NC Farm to School calendar.

Rules and how to enter will be provided.

• students riding at least 3 times a week
  
• parents following PreK, K-2, and special education "meet your student at the stop" rules
  
• students following safety rules
  

Please email Dave Bitner (david.bittner@nhcs.net) if you have any questions.

The following link will take you to the NHCS guide to the Parent Bill of Rights which provides you insights into your rights as a parent and a way to voice your thoughts and concerns.

Parent Bill of Rights

The PowerSchool Parent Portal is a place for parents/guardians to monitor student progress and attendance. Apps are available through google and apple for access via phones.

All volunteers, both Levels 1 and 2, must complete volunteer training each school year.

We love our volunteers! Whether you want to assist in a classroom, lead a small group, attend a field trip, or simply help in an area around the school, we need you to complete the application process to ensure you are either a Level 1 or Level 2 volunteer!

Our Level I volunteers work under the continual supervision of school staff. If willing to serve our school as a Level I Volunteer, you will need to complete the following steps:

1. Read all of the information in this presentation, Volunteer Orientation, and the NHCS Volunteer Handbook (we will get this to you as soon as it becomes available).
2. Complete the Volunteer Orientation Assessment with a score of 80% or higher.

After completing Level I certification and if you are willing to complete Level II requirements, please complete a Background Check Application. Background checks cost $22.50 and are valid for three (3) years. Our Level 2 Volunteers may work alone with students and may not always be with a staff member.

General Guidelines after receiving district clearance to serve as a volunteer:

• Please have your photo ID ready when coming to campus to either sign in.
• When volunteering, please respect the instructional day and stay within your volunteer area.

Principal: Bobby Garcia

Website: https://alderman.nhcs.net/

Location: 2025 Independence BLVD., Wilmington, NC 28403
Phone: (910) 350-2031