Student Support Newsletter

Happy Fall!!! I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful Fall Break. During October, students learned about Respect. Respect means caring about how our words and actions impact others. Kindergarten students have been encouraged to THINK about their words and actions before they do or say them. Enemy Pie gave our first graders the recipe for how to get rid of your enemies for good (spoiler alert: it's by taking time to get to know them, which can often lead to friendship). We also reviewed the Golden Rule with Do Unto Otters, learning the different ways we feel most respected by others and how we can extend those same behaviors to our home, school, and community. Second graders had the opportunity to do Buddy Interviews, where they practiced the skill of active listening, which is giving your full attention to another person to show that what they are saying matters to you. This activity is always a lot of fun for them, and they typically find that they have more in common with their classmates than they thought!

Individual Sessions

If you believe your child would benefit from seeing me on an individual basis, please reach out to me at kelly.adams@excelsiorca.org, or let their classroom teacher know. Some students need a one-time check-in, while others meet with me more frequently. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

RESPECT is the character trait for the month of October. Respect is showing regard and consideration for others. Respect is caring how your words and actions affect others. In our ECA Student Creed, we commit to treating others the way we want to be treated and respecting the rights and property of others.” During our classes, we discussed ways to listen to other people’s ideas and feelings from their viewpoints, even if they are different from our own. We also discussed using respectful and kind language towards ourselves and others.

monique.daniels@excelsiorca.org

(919) 213-8585 ext. 136

Ms. Daniels' Virtual Office- Grades 3-5

Counseling Resources for Parents/Guardians

Counselor Appointment Request Form

Each month, one student per grade level is recognized by their teachers for exemplifying the monthly Character Trait. RESPECT is the Character Trait for October. These students have excelled in thinking about how their words and actions impact those around them. They go above and beyond to treat others with kindness and compassion by treating them the way they would want to be treated. Please congratulate the following students for the most nominations by teachers in their grade:

Kindergarten - Georgia Smith (Jenkins)

1st grade - James Brown (Selden)

2nd grade - Ellie Berthold (Cooper)

3rd grade- Nicolas Wheeler (Kizzie) *not pictured

4th grade- Jordin Gonzalez (Knox)

5th grade- London McDonald (Justice)

Other nominees include Levi Fouche, Emma Munoz (Kindergarten), Maya Bay, Sophia Lemus, Kasey Trejo, Alexa Guerra Moreno (1st grade), Dylan Dawson, Lily Joy Smith, Josiah Pratt (2nd grade), Adeline Train (3rd grade), Ayla Davis, Sean Eckert (4th grade), Emily Maier (5th grade)

Bullying is when someone repeatedly and intentionally uses words or actions against someone or a group of people to cause distress and risk to their wellbeing. These actions are usually done by someone who has more influence or power over someone else, or who wants to make someone else feel less powerful or helpless. By promoting kindness, inclusivity, and respect, we can contribute to creating a community where everyone feels valued and respected. (National Institute of Health)

Fall is here and our students are well into the academic year with the end of October representing our 12th week of school. The first grading period ended October 4 and the second nine weeks’ grading period ends Friday, December 20 before winter break. Your help at home- things like checking your student’s PowerSchool information for grades and missing assignments and helping to organize bookbags- goes a long way in partnering with our teachers in support of our scholars.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

We are still working hard to find a MS counselor, but students/families are encouraged to reach out to any of their student's teachers with academic questions or concerns. Families may also contact Dean of Students, Mr. Sean McWhite, with any concerns for students in grades 6-8. If you need Parent/Guardian PowerSchool access, please contact Michelle.McAlexander@Excelsiorca.org.

One thing the club began this year is recording morning announcement videos which are shown each day with important and interesting information for our students. They also hosted a Movie Night on October 18th and the money raised from concessions will be used to fund additional JNHS activities for students and families to enjoy.

Students interested in starting a MS club are encouraged to talk to a teacher about sponsoring the club for this school year! If your student is shy and would rather, they can write their proposal and turn it to the teacher they want to recruit. Teachers will structure the meeting days/times and host the meetings in their classrooms.

6th grade ~ Ms. Jill Murphy shared the following…

Students recently discussed ‘how to meet people and make friends’, and they talked about test anxiety. In one class, the students really enjoyed completing the prompt ‘would you rather’, and teachers are finding the program to not be all about character education but also about building community in the classroom. Students are getting to know classmates outside their friend group and they are surprised to discover shared interests and humor in unexpected places.

7th grade ~ Mr. Jake Hamman shared the following…

Weekly Monday lessons include a check-in, a group activity and reflection. Values and actions was something discussed and students were prompted to ask themselves if their actions were reflective of their values- from an outsider’s viewpoint. Carrying forward that topic, they were asked how understanding someone’s values may affect how that person is perceived by others. A recent DARE activity required students to talk to a staff member they didn’t know and get some personal info/detail from that person.

8th grade ~ Ms. Fallon Hinton shared the following…

The students made it to Lesson 8 about Values and Planning Your Future in High School. Although they are not thrilled with Character Strong Day, they do participate- especially in the warm-up when they share Sound Bites, pictures or stories. ROAR doesn’t allow in depth time for responses, and the teachers wish there was more impact to student behavior from the activities instead of the sometimes teasing, name calling and unkind teenager ways. Hopefully, some of it will sink in at some point.

National Student Council- sponsored by Mrs. Eleanor Young, Teacher

The High School’s National Student Council inducted new members in October and currently has over 60 participating students. Students were eligible based on academic ability linked to grade points averages and teacher recommendations, and the group has begun a robust schedule of activities and fundraisers.

Spirit Week activities took place during the week of October 28-November 1, with students dressing for Decades Day, Color Wars, Character Day, Rep Your Country and Jersey Day. Participation still requires students to adhere to the school dress code.

Homecoming- Garden Gala was the culmination of Spirit Week and tickets were sold for $5 in the weeks leading up to the dance. Students dressed in semi-formal attire and danced to their favorite songs while enjoying delicious refreshments and extravagant decorations which transported them to a fragrant English garden.

The National Honor Society also inducted new members in grades 10-12 with the same type of eligibility process, and the group numbers 30+ members. A current project is to assist our adopted K-12 sister school, Lake Lure Classical Academy in the mountain region of our state. Like so many of our fellow Tarheels, the school was impacted by Hurricane Helene and our NHS students have been collecting blankets, hand warmers and other cold weather items for the supply drive that runs through the end of October.

SOAR has been functioning as a club/tutoring/meetings period for the high school since the beginning of the year. If your student needs additional support in one of their classes, help with organizational skills or testing anxiety or any other academic concerns, please contact me. On a related note, all teachers offer Tier 1 MTSS supports.

Multi-Tier System Supports/MTSS

What is MTSS to students who need them in the classroom? Tier 1 includes 1) scaffolding- an instructional practice where a teacher gradually removes guidance and support as students learn and become more competent. Support can be for content, processes, and learning strategies. 2) Differentiation contemplates the primary educational objectives—making sure all students master essential knowledge, concepts, and skills— but teachers may use different instructional methods to help students meet those expectations…teachers vary instructional strategies and use more flexibly designed lessons to engage student interests and address distinct learning needs.

MTSS also contemplates screenings such as MAP Testing and NC Check-ins, plus Social-Emotional Learning and Positive Behavior Interventions and Support.

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Governor's School recruitment is underway for eligible students in grade 10 and 11. Parents and their eligible students were contacted via email, and teachers have been given access to the eligibility information. Any questions should be directed to me via email, and I’m happy to respond or forward to the appropriate person at NCDPI.

Bake Sale- 3rd floor - sponsored by Ms. Deanna St. John, Teacher and her students…

Every Thursday the high school students can purchase baked goods and treats from the students in the Grammar School MU classroom. The money raised will assist with field trips and other enrichment activities. Bring your spending money, buy a tasty snack and support a good cause.

Army Recruiter

Sergeant Joshua Casey visited the high school October 28 during SOAR in Mrs. Amber Davis’s classroom and met with almost 20 students about the benefits the Army offers. He discussed job training, and college education as covered by the G.I. Bill, as well as assistance with home loans, and the pathway to citizenship/green card. Our students asked good questions, were respectful and learned a great deal about how the military is a good option for those with interest. joshua.r.casey.mil@army.mil

IMPORTANT DATES

November 11 – Veterans Day holiday

November 27-29 - Thanksgiving break

December 20 – Early release 1 PM; End of Quarter 2/Semester 1

December 23 – January 3 – Winter break

January 6 – Required teacher work day; no school for students

February 14 – Required teacher work day; no school for students

February 17 – Presidents’ Day holiday

March 17-28 – Spring break

March 31 – Required teacher work day; no school for students

April 15 –Required teacher work day; no school for students

May 26 – Memorial Day holiday

May 31 – Class of 2025 High School Graduation

June 6 – Last school day for students; Early release 1 PM