There will be no school for students on Oct. 30 and 31 to allow parents, students and teachers to participate in Fall Learning Conferences. 

The purpose of these conversations is to establish a relationship between the student, parents and teachers, those who are responsible for supporting the student through the learning process. All present at the conference have a role to play in highlighting and identifying achievements, challenges and possible next steps.

At the conference, students will reflect on and share their hopes, wishes, strengths and goals. Parents have a chance to share their perspectives on their child’s learning with both the student and teacher. Teachers will also share what they have learned about the student so far. Goals for this year are collaboratively developed by parents, the student and the teacher.

This year, with the two-day fall format the following schedule will be used:

• Grades K 1-2 to Grade 4 will offer 30-minute virtual meetings for parents, students, and teachers.

• Grade 5 will offer virtual conferences with both core teachers, parents, and students in 15-minute segments.

• All children will be invited to a second 15-minute conference with their child's Spanish or Specials (ECC Specials, PE, Art, or Music) teacher. (Having this meeting is not because something is wrong!) Parents will receive an invitation to sign-up for a conference with a particular Specialist.

This is an opportunity to connect with and get to know another of your child’s teachers.

Sign-ups for Learning Conferences will be open in a few weeks. Watch the LS Weekly Updates next week for more information!

As part of our commitment to fostering academic growth, we are excited to introduce a new online tool for math practice: Smartick. We understand the concerns surrounding screen time, and we want to explain how this tool aligns with our educational goals while enhancing your child’s learning experience.

Our Philosophy on Home Learning

At our school, we believe that practice at home in key subjects helps children solidify their understanding and improve their skills. Our goal is to make home learning engaging, differentiated, and manageable for families.

Reading Practice at Home We encourage daily reading—of any material and in any language—because research shows that consistent reading improves fluency and comprehension. Children benefit greatly from selecting their own books and from being read to, whether in their home language or the language they are learning. This fosters a love for reading and supports their development as proficient readers.

Math Practice at Home Our math program emphasizes a deep understanding of mathematical concepts to prepare students for more advanced coursework in Middle and Upper School. Engaging with problem sets outside of the classroom reinforces critical math skills and familiarizes students with the language and structures they will encounter in their studies.

How We Support Home Learning

Reading: Students have access to a variety of books through our school library and classrooms, allowing for personalized reading experiences. We encourage daily reading at home, with the goal of fostering a lifelong love for literature.

Math: Students will log into Smartick on a phone, tablet, or computer for at least 15 minutes, 4 out of 7 days a week. This platform provides differentiated math practice tailored to each child’s level. Teachers will monitor engagement through the Smartick app to ensure students are developing their math fluency effectively.

Why Smartick?

We recognize that traditional worksheets often fall short of providing the necessary differentiation for individual learners. Smartick allows for automatic, adaptive practice that meets each child’s unique needs far more efficiently than manual assignments. This technology supports consistent practice on foundational skills without taking away valuable classroom instruction time.

Teachers closely monitor technology use in the classroom to ensure it enhances lessons while minimizing screen time. As part of this framework, we will also be reducing technology usage during math instruction. Our aim is to maximize the effectiveness of our live teachers in the classroom while utilizing technology that can provide personalized differentiation for each learner at home.

We are excited about this new approach and are confident it will enhance your child's learning journey. Thank you for your support as we implement these home learning requirements.

Information for logging into Smartick will be sent home in student backpacks on Monday, October 14.