MY STORY, MY VOICE
Springs’ students, parents, teachers, and staff, we want to hear from you! Use your voice and share your story as part of our “My Story, My Voice” series. There is so much wisdom and joy to share among our community members and we invite you to share your experiences.
This month we hear from siblings, Mathias and Serafina Jauregui. They both attend the Murrieta Student Center. Matthias (grade 4) tells us what he's learned about the importance of communication and always telling the truth. Serafina (grade 2) discusses little challenges and little successes she has experience at Springs, growing every day into a more successful and happier student.
Your turn! How can you submit YOUR story for our site?
There are many stories to tell and general categories include:
Testimonials-how Springs made a difference.
What matters to you?
What did you do to have a great summer vacation?
What did you learn during the pandemic?
What brings you joy?
Have you solved a problem working with your child or with your class?
What has touched your heart over the years?
How have your students/children taught you lessons?
How have you used your voice for change?
What lessons have you learned in life?
Why is it important to advocate for your students? For school choice?
What's important to you? It could be as simple as "I found a way to improve my child’s focus.”
There are many ways to share your story and remember, everyone loves practical tips that we can use right away. Check out the following guidelines and please share your stories. Submit a written story with optional photo (no more than one page in length)
Send an audio clip with optional photo (3 minutes max)
Send a short video (3 minutes max)
We will edit all formats and are happy to help polish up your story! Your voice matters!
ASK THE EXPERTS
In this monthly column, parents and teachers can submit questions and our experts will answer them!
What is MTSS?
MTSS stands for Multi-Tiered System of Support. It provides a framework of support for EVERY student and includes an approach to academics, behavior, and social-emotional learning. MTSS is personalized learning that matches resources, supports, and services to student needs. All students receive Tier 1 instruction, some students receive both Tier 1 and Tier 2 (targeted small-group interventions for additional support), and few students receive Tier 1 and Tier 2 as well as Tier 3 (individualized, intensive interventions). MTSS is a continuous, 5-step process, which includes 1) assess the student, 2) identify the skill needed, 3) set a goal, 4) create the progress monitoring plan and provide intervention, and 5) evaluate the plan and adjust intervention.
How do I get my student into MTSS?
If a child is enrolled in school, then he/she is in MTSS. When a student is not making progress as expected when compared to his/her peers, Tier 1 “personalized learning practices” (classroom instruction) is examined to determine if instructional, environmental changes, and/or supplemental instruction is needed. Students who have been identified as needing Tier 2 or Tier 3 level support should be progress monitored and tracked via the outlined MTSS procedures for academics and/or behavior.
My student/child has trouble with organization and time management. What can I do about it?
Executive Functioning skills are essential for students as a foundation for their learning. These skills are learned at various developmental stages in their lives through experiences. Executive Functioning is often called “the brain’s air-traffic control center.”
Students need to master these skills in order to be successful with school tasks, to control impulsivity, While it takes time to fully develop these skills, we can help our students/children by:
Engaging them in self-directed goal setting (use a calendar)
Creating supportive learning spaces that help students develop empathy for themselves and others around them
Building in routines and practices
Mapping out long-term projects and breaking them down into manageable pieces
Reviewing previous learning using mind maps, concept maps, graphic organizers before learning new material
Minimizing clutter and creating clearly defined spaces in the school space
For more information, please see our Multi-Tiered System of Support website!
SPEAKING THE SPRINGS WAY
Things we say and things we don't say at Springs. This month our focus is on words we say when talking about STUDENT SUPPORT.
We use MTSS instead of “retention.” MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is a term used to describe an evidence-based model of schooling that uses data-based problem-solving to integrate academic and behavioral instruction and intervention. The integrated instruction and intervention is provided to students at varying levels of intensity based on student need. The goal is to prevent problems and intervene early so that students can be successful.
Special education is instruction that is specially designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. An IEP lays out the special education instruction, supports, and services a student needs to thrive in school. All students with IEPs will participate in goal-focused instruction that addresses each student's individual deficits; some areas could include: life skills, communication, socialization, pre-academics, and functional skills.
504 plans are formal plans that schools develop to give kids with disabilities the support they need. That covers any condition that limits daily activities in a major way. They’re covered under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. This is a civil rights law.
Unique Learning System is a Springs adopted program designed specifically to help students with special learning needs master their state’s extended standards.
Practice: Non-graded work that a student does in order to learn and internalize the skill. At Springs, we scaffold the learning and make sure students have plenty of opportunities to practice the skills before demonstrating mastery.
Teachers and students work diligently to create a cooperative learning environment where children take care of each other and treat each other with the utmost respect. Community Circle time begins each day and helps set a positive tone for learning.
WHY IS FEEDBACK SO IMPORTANT?
We know how important immediate feedback and self-reflection is in learning. Here are 10 easy ways teachers can implement routines that focus on SELF-ASSESSMENT. One that I would add to this list is 11) Create a Grading Key Station in your classroom with a can of red pencils and binders or file folders with the answer keys. Students can learn the process of grading their own work and correcting their mistakes. How's that for Student-Driven Learning!
