Northside February Newsletter

Northside staff have a deep understanding and commitment to the philosophy of ‘all means all’ and this is evident in the daily efforts seen in our school improvement plan. This plan provides the focus needed to reach our goals for student success. The school’s Guiding Coalition; Northside Navigators, act as a model professional learning community and guide teams to use PLC concepts and practices that lead to higher levels of student achievement. We believe a sense of urgency in teaching and learning must be present; urgency has been described by Northside teachers as ‘requiring swift action, being earnest and insistent, repeated and determined’. A study of PLC practices has helped us commit to conversations that are student centered and problem solving in nature and this model of shared leadership allows us to get more work done. You can view the School Level Improvement Plan on our website, where you will see the goals we have for all students in the areas of Literacy, Math and Social Emotional learning. Each of those sections also lists the actions we are taking to reach our goals for all students.

Collective responsibility and collaboration are the keys to success at Northside and how we focus on learning. The staff believe in shared accountability in a supportive environment, where everyone has a role in a student’s success and no one works in isolation. We have intentionally shifted the language from “my students” to “our students”. Teachers are committed to setting learning targets and using data to inform instructional practices. They engage in meaningful conversations about student progress throughout the day. These conversations can be heard in formal team meetings and in informal settings such as lunch and hallway interactions. We have a culture of continuous improvement in which we are constantly seeking ways to enhance teaching and learning through action research and professional development opportunities. Celebrations are an important part of the teaching-assessing-learning cycle and help us stay clear on goals.

In our Pre-K classrooms, students are building a strong foundation in literacy through the LaunchPad curriculum. This program engages young learners in hands-on, interactive activities that develop early reading and language skills. Through stories, songs, and structured lessons, our students are gaining confidence in their ability to recognize letters, sounds, and words.

Our teachers see the impact of this learning every day:
📚 "Students are so excited to recognize letters in their names and around the classroom."
🎶 "They love singing songs that help them remember letter sounds."
✏️ "Our little learners are becoming more confident in their ability to express themselves through words and stories."

Through LaunchPad, our Pre-K students are developing the foundational skills they need for future reading success. We love seeing their enthusiasm for learning grow each day!

The Sound Wall in our Kindergarten classrooms is an invaluable resource that students use on a daily basis. Through its collection of cards, each representing a different phoneme (sound) in the English language, students are immersed in the world of sounds and letters. These cards not only feature pictures of objects that contain the corresponding sound but also provide the letter or letters that can be used to write that sound.

We begin the year by teaching students how to accurately produce each sound. As their understanding progresses, they learn to associate specific letters with these sounds. The Sound Wall is a constant tool for learning, allowing students to reinforce their knowledge of sound-spelling connections. It is a part of their daily routine, a reference point for whenever they engage in reading or writing activities. Interacting with the Sound Wall everyday helps make connections between sounds, letters, and words. Thorough this students develop a solid foundation in letters and phonemes, equipping them with essential skills for future literacy success.

Our kindergarten students are having a blast in PE class with Mr. Burnett! They are working on dribbling skills using both basketballs and soccer balls while developing basic coordination, control, and teamwork—all through fun activities and games.

This month, students are also focusing on MC-A1 (Movement Concepts - Apply Knowledge of Movement Skills), which emphasizes understanding and applying movement skills and patterns in various activities.

During these lessons, students will: learn proper kicking and trapping form, practice using accuracy and control when striking the ball and demonstrate how to trap the ball when it is kicked to them.

Here’s what some of our students have to say about their time in PE:
🏀 "PE is fun! We get to play a lot!"
⚽ "Mr. Burnett lets us play games and run."
🥅 "I like soccer. I want to be a soccer player!"

We love seeing our students excited about movement and sports! Ask your child about their favorite PE activity this week.

Come join us for this fun event! See information below for the special night your child's class will participate.

Students with Perfect Attendance in the month of January will participate in an attendance dance party in the gym.

Enjoy the day with your kiddos!

Come join the fun and learn new skills with your kiddo!

Playing games as a family is more than just fun—it’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together! Board games, card games, and other interactive activities help build essential skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. They also teach valuable lessons about patience, turn-taking, and resilience. Beyond the skills, game nights create lasting memories and strengthen family bonds. So, come enjoy some quality time that benefits the whole family!

At our school, we are so lucky to have Nurse Heather taking care of our students each day! She has a big heart for young children and is always ready with a smile when they need help. Whether it’s a scraped knee, a tummy ache, or just a little extra comfort, Nurse Heather is there to provide care and kindness.

Our students love visiting her, especially when they get a Band-Aid and a hug to help them feel better. She plays an important role in keeping our school healthy and happy, and we are so grateful for her!

Be sure to thank Nurse Heather next time you see her—she makes a big difference in our students’ day! ❤️