Dear Families,
As the school year approaches, I want to briefly update you on three items related to our academic program at Embers, and also mention two new and exciting extracurricular opportunities for our Sparks!
First, Math Night. Our initial teacher training for Singapore Dimensions in June went very well, and we’re excited to share this new world-class curriculum with you. We’re bringing our trainer back for round two in October, so that our teachers can get some hands-on advice while they’re in the midst of instruction, to help us fine tune this improved approach.
Save the date for the evening of October 7. This Math Night for Parents will feature a talk from our trainer, who has over a decade of experience with Singapore math and has coached 100+ schools. You’ll see some demonstrations of the Singapore approach in action, as well as have an opportunity for Q&A–all this with the goal of strengthening our parent-teacher partnership as we launch an improved math curriculum.
Second, the SuperKids Reading Program. In an effort to strengthen and unify our literacy instruction across our K-2nd classrooms, our teachers began using several elements from the SuperKids Reading Program last year. After evaluating several options, SuperKids, which is used in many Catholic schools nationally, became the clear front runner for enhancing our approach to literacy with the “science of reading.” I’ll say more about this at Curriculum Night on Sept. 19. But our teachers loved incorporating SuperKids into their teaching last year, so we’re implementing their fuller Reading Program this fall, complete with additional teacher training. We’re confident you’ll see a positive difference in how quickly and solidly your sons and daughters will learn to read at Embers in the years to come!
Third, switching from trimesters back to quarters. Following trends in elementary education, Embers made the transition to trimesters a few years ago. This coming year, we’re switching back to quarters, and for a simple reason: we want to create more opportunities for touch points between parents and teachers throughout the academic year so that we can continue working together. You’ll have noticed a slightly altered calendar to accommodate this change.
Finally, I’m happy to announce two new after school clubs for students at Embers this year: Chess Scholars, and Bricks4Kidz! The very popular Chess Scholars program returns to Embers after a several-year hiatus. K-5th students will learn one of the most enduring games of strategy in the world through lessons and challenges geared to their level, and they’ll test their skills in battle with their classmates. Bricks4Kidz is a STEM club for Preschool 4 students all the way through 5th Grade. In younger grades, students will begin by building simple LEGO projects, complete with motors. Middle grades will turn toward more complicated creations in robotics. Our oldest students will have the opportunity to even begin coding those robots they build. It’s a fun and engaging way to introduce them to STEM concepts and pique their curiosity as they continue discovering their talents.
Look for signups for these clubs very soon as the school year approaches! I’m looking forward to hearing joyful laughter fill these halls again in just a few short weeks.
Best,
Christopher Goffos
Headmaster
