Mount Carbon - 4th Grade

What do I do if my child needs support at school?

Mt. Carbon offers both academic and social emotional intervention to support students that need more targeted instruction. Mt. Carbon uses a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS), which is a whole school, prevention-based framework for improving learning outcomes for every student through a layered continuum of evidence-based practices and systems. The MTSS committee is comprised of teachers, administration, and learning specialists. The purpose of this committee is to identify additional classroom supports that help your child close deficits and/or increase growth in the areas of academics and social emotional development. MTSS uses data-based discussions to create layers of support from universal (every student) to targeted (some students) to intensive (few students). Interventions and strategies are based on evidence-based practices that can be applied in the classroom. The goal is to improve the outcome for all students. Mt. Carbon has the support of related service provides including learning specialist, mental health, speech language pathologist, and occupational therapist. Mt. Carbon utilities plans such as a READ plan, IEP, or 504 plan to support intensive student needs.

How can I have a voice in my child’s school day?

At Mt. Carbon, we have various ways we team with parents. Parent Advisory Committee (PAC), PTA, parent surveys, parent teacher conferences, Friday Folders, and Carbon Copy are a few ways to have your voice heard.

Can I bring treats for my child's birthday?

We know that birthdays are a big deal! We will celebrate your child's special day at school. Jeffco's wellness policy does not allow for treats for birthdays. Here is a link to the District Wellness Policy for Birthday Celebrations: http://www.jeffcoschoolfood.org/district-wellness-policy

Kelso's Choices Wheel

Will I learn about my child’s social development?

Yes! We focus on both our students’ academic and social emotional development. On our report card, we look for self-directed learners, respecting the rights of others, following school rules, and resolving conflict appropriately. We use a problem-solving curriculum called Kelso’s Choices. We also focus on teaching our students to be safe, respectful, and responsible in all locations of our school. As educators, we work to teach students to have a growth mindset, optimism, persistence, flexibility, resilience, and empathy.

What are Jeffco Generations?

Please visit the following website to learn more about Jeffco Generations: https://jeffcopublicschools.org/about/generations

Classroom circles are used to check-in with students and to build a positive classroom culture.

What are Restorative Practices?

Restorative practice is a philosophy that focuses on building positive relationships, providing opportunities for students to take responsibility for their behavior, and creating community spaces where all voices are valued and heard. Teachers use classroom circles to check-in with students and build a positive classroom culture. Ms. Jett uses restorative circles when addressing discipline so that all student voices can be heard and so that discipline can focus on re-teaching positive choices, accepting responsibility, and repairing the harm. When problem solving, students may do a formal conference. This conversation is mediated by an adult, with the goal of reaching an agreed upon solution to the current conflict.

Why does Mount Carbon use PLCs?

Mount Carbon will continue the best practice of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) this school year. This practice allows teachers to prioritize standards, develop formative assessments, analyze data and adjust instruction. Our Instructional Coach, Martha Burns supports this learning once a week for each grade level team.

During this 25 minute extended weekly plan students, as a class, may be engaged in Social Emotional Learning with our School Psychiatrist, Rachel Shulman, Library or Technology instruction with our DTL, Jennifer Close or continued learning in the classroom with our Educational Assistants. Thank you for supporting this professional learning framework that has directly impacted our continued high achievement at our school.

What are the Mindsets for Learning?

We are so excited to be implementing A Mindset for Learning in all our classrooms this year (based on the book by Kristi Mraz and Christine Hertz). Your children will learn about Empathy, Flexibility, Persistence, Resilience and Optimism. These traits grounded in joyfulness, independence and growth contribute to a thriving classroom culture and cultivate happy, capable individuals. As teachers, before the start of this school year, we accessed critical research supporting the importance of Social/Emotional learning. We are committed to weaving SEL skills into our already rigorous curriculum to create an incredible learning culture at Mount Carbon Elementary! Plan on learning more from your child soon.

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