CH School News & More - 2.4.25

Hello Claypit Caregivers,

We hope you are staying warm during this truly chilly winter. While winter provides our trees and all things green a period of dormancy, life inside an elementary school is just the opposite. The winter months are often among the most productive. In the fall, our educators work to establish classroom communities and routines that ready children for the risk taking and academic rigor in the year ahead. In recent days, our classrooms have been like hives. Our students have been hard at work. Teachers are engaging them in deep learning paired with meaningful assessment. This Thursday, you'll be able to view your child's first semester report card. This is a wonderful opportunity to notice and celebrate the areas where your student is thriving. Be mindful that our report card standards are end of year standards meaning that most students will not achieve proficiency until the end of the year. Some of the standards have not been addressed yet and as such, have not been assessed. Please do your very best to focus on what your child can do and the growth you notice. March conferences provide an opportunity to come into school to discuss your child's progress in greater detail. We strongly recommend you set aside time for these important conferences.

In the meantime, please encourage your child to read at home. Don't be discouraged if your child is reading books that you think are too easy. This kind of reading builds confidence and stamina. Over time your reader will be ready for new challenges. We also encourage you to read to your child whenever you can no matter their grade. Reading together sends the message that reading and spending time together is important to you. Hearing their favorite stories in their loved one's voice will make this time that much more entertaining and memorable. Take advantage of any opportunity to use math recreationally with your child. Whether baking or estimating the length of a trip, try to integrate math into your daily conversations. There are many truly fun math games on the market. Game play is a wonderful way to bring joy to math learning while also building fluency. You are your child's first and most important teacher. Ensure that everyone puts away their technology for periods of time every day in favor of talking as a family. These conversations are opportunities to pass along your values or explore a science topic that is interesting to your child. Fostering curiosity is one of the best ways to support an elementary student!

We feel truly fortunate to be partnering in the important work of educating your children. It really is an honor. Please reach out to us at any time with questions or concerns you may have. Meanwhile, stay warm! In just 6 weeks we'll be welcoming in spring weather, right?

Sincerely,

Marie, Kate, and Naomi

Everyone is invited to the Science Fair and STEAM Discovery Night is 5-7pm THIS Wed ⅖! Bring the family for a fun science evening - kids can share science fair projects (on any topic that inspires them) and enjoy interactive activity stations featuring experts on this year’s theme: Weather!

Order pizza and/or sign-up to volunteer during the event - Pizza orders are due by 2/4 and we need volunteer help with set-up, handing out pizza, talking with kids about their projects (visiting scientists), taking photos and cleaning up. Thank you!

We’re thrilled to have several weather experts (A meteorologist, storm chaser, MIT Lincoln Lab team and NE Sci Tech) lined up to share their expertise with our kids both at the Science Fair as well as during bonus in-class weather science sessions in early February!

Thanks!

STEAM team (April, Elaine, Gigi, Heather and Janice)

Please help Wayland Girl Scouts to support families in Southern California while they rebuild and recover form the devastating wildfires. All proceeds will go directly to Girl Scouts of Greater LA county (via GSUSA) who in turn, will allocate the funds directly to impacted families for much needed resources. Wayland girl scouts will collect venmo (venmo: @troop84375) and cash donations until 2/14/25. Brownie Troop 84375 will also be accepting cash donations at Claypit Hill School this Friday, February 7, from 7:4 5- 8:00am am. Please consider donating.

Everyone is invited to bring in canned food items (or cereal, peanut butter, applesauce or other nonperishable food items) to help fill up the shelves at My Brother’s Table food pantry. In the spirit of the super bowl, different grade teams will compete to see who brings in the most donations – place your food donations in your grade’s labeled box in the lobby. Thanks for contributing to help families living in food insecurity.

Let's celebrate our Super Staff at Claypit Hill the day after the Super Bowl by treating the teachers and staff to an all-star lunch! Did you know there are over 110 staff members that keep our school running? This hearty lunch will feed all the adults who care for our kids each day.

Sign-up here to contribute: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E44A8AA2CA0F4C16-souper

Store-bought or homemade items are great!

Please drop off:

• Non-perishable items at the front office any time before Monday February 10.

• Soup and perishables on Monday, February 10 by 8:00am. Please label any crockpots, soup ladles, or serving pieces that you need returned. Your items will be on the benches outside by 2pm for you to grab at pickup.

Thank you! Email marissaanndavis@gmail.com, katienobleharris@gmail.com or allison.bellingrath@gmail.com to coordinate earlier perishable drop-offs and we can store things in our fridges.