Dear Families,
Here are some updates on instruction and other reminders, as we approach the end of the second quarter:
Lunar New Year: Sun, Jan. 22 marked the start of the Lunar New Year. 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit. Read more about the holiday and its significance in Asian culture.
Work Session on Gifted Services: The School Board will hold a work session this Thursday to discuss the continuum of gifted services APS provides to all students based on their unique strengths and needs. Resource Teachers for the Gifted continuously challenge advanced learners and provide deeper learning opportunities for all students. Serving every student means ensuring we’re offering extensions to build on student strengths, as well as providing ongoing support for areas of need. Learn more.
Spotlight on Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA): At last week’s School Board meeting, I provided an update on CKLA—the new resource we are using to support elementary reading, writing, listening and speaking comprehension skills. I presented the ways schools are incorporating CKLA, as well as the steps to strengthen the content across all units. This video shows CKLA instruction in action at Campbell – thank you to the Campbell teachers who brought us into their classroom to share the lessons with our community.
Welcome to Kindergarten!: I invite families with students entering elementary school in the fall of 2023 to view a video presentation, available beginning on Mon, Jan. 30. This prerecorded video will cover a variety of topics from how to register to neighborhood elementary schools to applying to option schools. Learn more.
As a reminder, next Mon, Jan. 30, is a grade preparation day, so there is no school for students.
Thank you for your partnership—have a great week.
Sincerely,
Dr. Francisco Durán
Superintendent