Simis Scoop
January 24, 2025
A Note from Mrs. Murray
Hi Simis Families,
We look forward to seeing everyone at conferences next week. I always love watching our 2nd-4th graders share their personal growth and celebrations with families at student led conferences.
Our Fun Run is kicking off! This is the main fundraiser for Madison Simis PATS and provides the budget for programs such as:
- Art Masterpiece
- DIGGS
- Noon duty aides (cafeteria supervision)
- Instructional Aides (pulling reading and math intervention groups)
- IBPYP staff training
- Student Ambassador training
- Special Area supplies
- Teacher Enrichment Grants
- Staff Appreciation
- Community Engagement
Your support makes it so we are able to achieve so much to enhance the educational experience for each learner! A sign up to be a visitor at the Fun Run is linked here. Teachers will be sending home more information each day!
Best,
Principal Murray
What to do after reading a text to support comprehension
It is essential for students to develop key reading comprehension skills after engaging with a text, such as summarizing, identifying main ideas, making inferences, and analyzing the author’s purpose. In the classroom, this might involve activities like creating a "summary sandwich," where students identify the beginning, middle, and end of a story, or engaging in group discussions to explore character motivations and themes. For example, after reading a chapter of a novel, students could work in pairs to write a one-sentence summary and share it with the class. They may also be given questions to answer about the text and be expected to reference text evidence in their responses. At home, parents can support these skills by encouraging their children to summarize a story they’ve read aloud, discuss the motivations of the characters, or ask open-ended questions like, "Why do you think this happened?" or "What do you think will happen next?" These practices help students deepen their understanding and foster critical thinking about what they read.
Math Practice: Using Appropriate Tools Strategically
Math Practice 5, Using Appropriate Tools Strategically, encourages students to consider and use various mathematical tools effectively to solve problems. At school, students demonstrate this practice by using tools like rulers, protractors, calculators, or graphing software to explore and solve mathematical problems. For example, they might use a ruler to measure the dimensions of an object for a geometry project or graphing software to analyze trends in data during a science experiment. At home, parents can support this practice by encouraging their children to use tools in practical situations, such as measuring materials for a DIY project, using a calculator to check homework, or employing a graphing app to track expenses. By thoughtfully selecting and applying appropriate tools, students enhance their problem-solving skills and develop a deeper appreciation for how tools can simplify and clarify mathematical tasks.
Stop Walk and Talk Review
The Stop, Walk, and Talk strategy is a simple, effective approach to empower students to handle minor conflicts or bullying behavior. At school, teachers explicitly teach this strategy through role-playing activities and discussions, showing students how to calmly tell someone to stop an unwanted behavior ("Stop"), walk away from the situation if it continues ("Walk"), and report to a trusted adult if the behavior persists ("Talk"). This strategy encourages self-advocacy, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Parents can support this strategy at home by reinforcing the steps through discussions about real-life scenarios their child might face and practicing how to use a calm tone and clear words when addressing issues. Additionally, parents can emphasize the importance of seeking help from adults when necessary, fostering trust and communication. By working together, schools and families can equip children with the tools to handle conflicts constructively and build a respectful, safe environment.
IB ATL Skill of the Month: Social Skills
Notes from Nurse Megan
A few reminders:
Students should stay home from school for fever, vomiting, diarrhea, painful throat with redness/swelling/signs of infection, persistent cough (non-stop coughing for 20+ minutes), or redness/swelling of the eye(s) with drainage. When in doubt, please call the health office or your student’s pediatrician.
Students must stay home for a full 24 hours after fever, vomiting or diarrhea.
Please DO NOT send medication to school in your student’s backpack. If your student needs medication during the school day, please contact the health office.
Information & Updates!!
New Library Information!
Please help your students return their library books so they are able to check out new books each week! If books are lost or damaged beyond repair, please:
1) Provide the library with a replacement copy of the same book. Books can be used and in good condition but must be a like-for-like replacement (i.e., hardcover for hardcover).
2) You may now pay the replacement cost of the book through PowerSchool, a check made out to 'Madison Simis,' or cash (exact amount, please).
We want to thank all the awesome library volunteers who keep our library books circulating and Simis students reading! Your time and help is so appreciated.
Looking for a specific book or want to browse and see what’s available in our library? You can search the Destiny Discover website to see all the selections!
If you have any questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We appreciate your involvement and support!
Thank you,
Mrs. Sarmiento & Mrs. Brandstatter
What is Site Council:
Site Council reviews school data, discusses school procedures and practices, makes decisions about tax credit allocation, and helps inform the principal in decision making.
Recent Highlights: Approved tax credit scholarships, approved assembly visit, learned about district assessment process and resources
Discussed: Assessments and school improvement updates
Next meeting: Gifted and High achieving students
Did you know?
Each year there is an activity fee of $50 for each student. Our Simis Site Based Management Council determines how all Tax Credit resources will be used at Madison Simis. This year we will use these funds to pay for our grade-level field trips, assemblies, and character education.
Process
Parent/Guardian:
https://az-madison.intouchreceipting.com/
The online portal page instructs guardians to login to POWERSCHOOL.
Guests can create an account and login directly through the online portal page.
Once logged in, parents can PAY Fines/Fees that are posted on their student's account or self select Items at Schools. For example, Activity Fees have already been posted on student's accounts and can be paid through Pay Fines/Fees. Please email receipts to simisoffice@madisoned.org.
Native American students may have their activity fees paid by grant funds if they have proof of Tribal membership. Please have interested families contact Martha Sullivan for information.
Families can contact simisoffice@madisoned.org for a scholarship form.
After School Vendors
If you are looking for a fun activity to engage your student after school dismisses, don't forget to look at our vendor offerings at Madison Simis!
THRIVE Parent Information Series
Madison School District has modules available to families in the THRIVE section of the Madison website. These short and informative videos with experts in the field provide families with resources to approach and support their child in ways that align with the students of the Alpha and iGeneration.
Volunteering at Simis
Click here to register as a school volunteer! All adults must be approved volunteers through the District to volunteer at Simis. Please remember when you volunteer that you are approved for a specific area of school during your visit. To avoid distractions in the learning environment, we ask that volunteers come to school to volunteer and then exit the school following their volunteering, not going into other classrooms to visit with students.
School Lunch Visitor Registration Form
Sign up for a lunch visit here! Please read the details on the sign up form for more information.
As a reminder, we ask that all parents sit with their child at the visitor's table in the cafeteria and say goodbye as students head out to recess. Siblings cannot attend with parents/visitors. Friends do not join the lunch visit.
