Tuesday Talk with Dr. Dain

Dear Pirate Nation,

As we move through this season of thankfulness, I find myself reflecting on all the reasons to feel grateful in our Piper community. From the energy of our students to the dedication of our staff, and the unwavering support of our families, we are surrounded by people who are committed to making Piper a place where students thrive. It is truly humbling to witness the way our community comes together, not just during times of celebration but also when facing challenges, always anchored by a shared purpose of ensuring excellence in education.

I am especially thankful for the belief in the power of teamwork that defines our district. Whether it’s the collaboration within our classrooms, the partnerships we build with families, or the visionary leadership of the Piper Board of Education, it’s clear that our collective efforts are what make this district exceptional. Together, we are creating opportunities for our students to succeed academically, grow socially, and develop the skills they need for a bright future and be #FUTUREREADY.

As we celebrate this season of gratitude, I encourage us all to take a moment to reflect on what makes Piper special. For me, it’s the people – the students, staff, and families who inspire me every day. Thank you for your trust, your support, and your belief in the work we are doing together. I am proud to be a part of this incredible community. #BELIEVETHEHYPE

Proud to be a Pirate,

Dr. Jessica Dain

Superintendent, Piper USD 203

FastBridge Screening Assessments After Thanksgiving Break:

After Thanksgiving Break, students PreK-10 will be participating in the winter testing window of our FastBridge screening assessments.

FastBridge screening assessments are designed to provide educators and parents with valuable insights into students' academic and social-emotional development. These brief, research-based tools help identify students' strengths and areas where they may need additional support, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow. By regularly screening all students, schools can detect potential learning challenges early and provide timely interventions before larger difficulties arise.

The primary goal of these assessments is to guide personalized instruction and monitor progress over time. FastBridge measures key skills in reading and math, aligning with grade-level expectations and fostering growth. The results help teachers to make informed decisions in tailoring personalized learning, supporting each child's unique journey toward achieving their full potential.

Exciting things are happening every day across our district, and we want to showcase them! From engaging classroom activities to inspiring Real World Learning labs, we’re on a mission to capture the moments that make Piper extraordinary.

Have a fun lesson, unique project, or special event coming up? Let us know! Also, if you or your students have received an award or recognition, we’d love to celebrate that too.

Send your photo opportunities and accolades to the Communications Office, at katelyn.kaminski@piperschools.us, and together, we’ll highlight the amazing work happening in our schools.

We’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Brad Eikenbary, DDS, Piper Family Dentistry, for generously offering free dental screenings to Piper students once again this year! His continued support helps ensure our students have access to essential dental care, contributing to their overall health and well-being. Thank you, Dr. Eikenbary, for making a difference in our school community! Please see schedule below, and look out for communications from your building principals regarding further details:

• November 22: Piper Middle School
• February 7: Piper High School

We are pleased to announce that our new communication service regarding student attendance is now in effect. This service will notify you when your child has an unexcused absence from school, enhancing our partnership in supporting your child’s education.

This system is essential for keeping you informed about your child’s attendance, allowing for timely follow-up on any unexplained absences. Please note that notifications will only be triggered for unexcused absences; other attendance records will not prompt a call.

We believe this enhancement will significantly improve our communication and help maintain a consistent line of support between home and school. Thank you for your continued partnership in fostering your child’s educational experience.

It is great to see the enthusiasm and excitement the Piper community has for supporting our students’ athletics and activities. Attending these events is a great way to come together to show school and community spirit. We thank you for your support of our students, coaches, and activity supervisors.

As our district has continued to grow over the past several years, so have crowds at district events. The larger crowds make supervision of unsupervised youth even more difficult. We have had a few concerning issues where student safety has been compromised.

In an effort to provide a safe, positive, and fun fan experience, parental supervision of middle school and elementary school students will be required at ALL district functions for the 2024-25 school year (unless otherwise noted by the building principal or other administrator). Middle school and elementary school students MUST attend games with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult. Unsupervised students will not be permitted to enter the events.

For football games, as per last year, the expectation is that young people sit in the stands with their parent or guardian or on the hill with staff supervision. Students will be able to access concessions and restroom facilities without supervision but will be directed back to their seats to enjoy the game.

The December Board of Education Meeting will take place on Monday, December 9, at 6 p.m., in the Board Room. Community stakeholders who wish to address the Board of Education should complete the following form (linked below) and send the completed form to the Board Clerk, Kim Buckner, at kim.buckner@piperschools.us no later than end of day on Monday, December 2.

Access Board Docs (Agendas and Corresponding Reports)

Reminder that patrons can access agendas and corresponding reports via the website prior to or after each Board of Education meeting. For access, click here, where you will find agendas and reports from previous Board meetings.

Parents as Teachers is a free and voluntary home visiting program that is evidence-based and focuses on early childhood development. Research has shown that children who have participated in Parents as Teachers score higher on kindergarten readiness tests, are better problem solvers, and are more advanced in language and social development.

Program Services

• Home Visits: Parent Educators share age-appropriate child development information, address parenting concerns and engage the family in parent-child activities.
  
• Group Connections: Group Connections provide opportunities to connect with other families in Piper.
  
• Screenings: Annual developmental, health, vision and hearing screenings provided for early identification of delays that could interfere with learning.
  
• Resource Network: Parent Educators help families identify and connect with needed resources and overcome barriers to accessing services.
  
• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: All children are enrolled free of charge in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library and receive an age-appropriate book mailed to their home each month.
  

Follow this link to enroll, or contact me for more information. https://tinyurl.com/5a4hhy9r

Nicole McDaniel

Parent Educator

816.805.2461

nicole.mcdaniel@greenbush.org

Congratulations to Jessica Asbury, Piper USD 203's Coordinator of Elementary Real World Learning, for representing our district at The DeBruce Foundation Annual Employment Empowerment Event during National Career Development Month! Jessica joined an esteemed panel of education and workforce leaders to share insights and resources for advancing career literacy and real-world learning. We’re proud of her leadership in preparing our students for bright futures!

Congrats to the Piper High School Cheer team for taking FIRST PLACE at Regionals. Let's wish them and our Piper Dance team good luck at the State competition this weekend.

Mrs. Kristina Garner, reading interventionist at Piper Middle School was recognized at the November Board of Education meeting for successfully completing the Orton-Gillingham training and certification program. She is now a Certified Dyslexia Interventionist through the International Dyslexia Association. Congratulations to Mrs. Garner on her dedication to helping students improve their reading skills and reach their full potential—we are fortunate to have her expertise benefiting our students each day.

Piper is proud to announce that Dr. Jessica LaFollette, Gifted Facilitator at Piper Middle School, has recently co-authored "The LEAP Guidebook for Differentiating Instruction for Gifted and High Potential Students," published by the National Association for Gifted Children. This guidebook equips educators with valuable resources and tools to effectively differentiate instruction for high-ability students. We’re thrilled to celebrate Dr. LaFollette’s accomplishments and grateful for her expertise and dedication to our students!