Principal Message October 14, 2019
The first quarter of the 2019/20 school year is almost complete. I would like to take a moment to look back and recognize what we have accomplished 1st quarter and also make you aware of some of the exciting things we have coming up in the 2nd quarter.
Academic Focus and Achievement
Churchill’s goal this year has been implementing proficiency-based grading with fidelity. At its core, proficiency-based grading is all about building a growth mindset. Students are given assessments to recognize where they are in their understanding of standards.
Students utilize rubrics, and proficiency scales to increase their understanding until they achieve proficiency or beyond. I have talked to several students at this point and all have reported that they are understanding the basics for Proficiency Based Grading. We are proud of the progress on our school goal!
Parents can quickly see student growth and progress by going through the parent portal to gradebook and then clicking on standards. Student scores on assessments will be seen on a 1 to 4 scale. After 3 assessments are given on a specific standard, an overall average is provided.
It is important to remember students can retake assessments. Please check your teacher’s specific Canvas pages and or disclosure statements on methods for retakes. Student support is also provided once a week in our Charger Time where teachers can request students for remediation or assessment and in our after-school homework club.
Behavior Focus
Churchill is not just about academics. The school is committed to providing students with social emotional learning and workplace behaviors that will produce lifelong success. During 2nd period, students receive mindfulness and social lessons that promote awareness and control over emotions and bodies. Students also have a chance to utilize their own yoga coach during lunch!
On October 2nd, a school wide assembly was held to teach students how to navigate living in a digital world. We expect our students to be safe online and “Think before you post.”
Our Positive Behavior team looks twice a month at behavior data and helps ensure we are promoting and addressing behaviors. Students receive recognition via our Charger checks and can cash in those points for real world items. This has promoted an awesome learning atmosphere at our school.
The week of the 21st to the 24th will be red ribbon week. The peer leader students felt it very important to educate on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Please also talk to your student during this week as we know one of the biggest protective factors is parents giving clear expectations to their child.
Our grade level teams meet monthly to look at student data to support interventions or plans to help students learn the best behaviors possible. During this time, they also recognize our students of the month.
The students recognized this month are:
6th grade:
Abbigail Joy Groussman
James Anthony Loubet
7th grade:
Marcus Barlow
Willa Grace Debirk
8th grade:
Tatum Lindy Brazill
Owen Mathew Larson
Sports
Churchills’ Athletes are amazing!
Cross Country:
Girls – 1st place in the district!- Shout out to Lilly Hall who came first into the finish line ahead of the whole district pack!
Soccer:
Boys and girls are competing this Tuesday for second place in division 2. Both teams have done amazing! Please come and root on our teams. Girls are playing against Hunter Junior High at our school and boys are competing at Hunter Junior.
Arts
If you think America’s got talent you should see Churchill’s! The talent show was an amazing showcase of talent and heart!
Ms. Perry’s 6th grade class will also be showcasing their work in our hallways the 14th to the 16th. Please come check it out!
Quarter 2 has a lot more coming up!
Please see our school calendar on our website for more details but these are just a few of the things we have going on in the next couple months.
Week of October 28th – SPIRIT WEEK- please see calendar for specifics and please encourage your child to run or walk in our Halloween hustle.
October 30th from 6:30 to 8 P.M.- Halloween evening concert- All ghouls and ghosts welcome!
December 11th @ 7 P.M. – Band/Orchestra Concert
December 18th @ 7 P.M.- Winter Dance Concert
Lastly, please watch our Facebook page for weekly updates of pictures and events happening at our school! https://www.facebook.com/ChurchillJuniorHigh/
Thanks!
Trent Hendricks
Principal
Churchill Junior High
