Greetings Stedman Community,
We are already halfway through September, and it has been energizing to see the energy, focus, and joy that students and staff are bringing into this school year. We look forward to welcoming everyone back on Wednesday, September 24th for another strong week of learning and community building.
For the month of September, we continue to highlight our KNIGHT Life Value: Kindness. Last Friday, we held our very first KNIGHTS of the Month celebration of the year, and it was wonderful to recognize students who are modeling our values each and every day. Congratulations to all of these KNIGHTS for showing Kindness, Noble Character, Integrity, Grit, Honesty, Teamwork, and Social Intelligence, in big and small ways. Be sure to check out the Stedman News to see all of the KNIGHTS of the Month!
While students are away on Monday, September 22nd and Tuesday, September 23rd, our teachers and staff will be deeply engaged in professional learning to strengthen instruction and culture:
Monday 09/22 – Teacher Planning Day: Teachers will focus on backwards planning and lesson planning to ensure alignment, rigor, and strong first instruction. Teachers will also engage in equity work and reflections to further ground our practice in equity and inclusion.
Tuesday 09/23 – Professional Learning: We will dive into literacy and math student data with a strong focus on strengthening small group instruction. Staff will also engage in culture work with a focus on addressing bias.
This work is essential to making sure that every student at Stedman has access to the supports, opportunities, and high-quality instruction they deserve. By reflecting on our practices, planning with intentionality, and addressing bias, we continue to move closer to our vision of ensuring all students not only learn, but thrive.
Important Reminders:
Picture Day is Wednesday, September 24th. Families can order photos online (link included in this newsletter) or use the Picture Day Packages form that was sent home on Friday.
CSC Fall Training is also Wednesday, September 24th. This training is an important opportunity to learn more about the Collaborative School Committee and how it supports our school community. Be sure to register!
Rescheduled Lockdown Drill – Friday, September 26th. Teachers have been speaking with students about the importance of safety and why we have protocols in place to keep our school community secure. Please help reinforce the importance of these drills by discussing them with your student at home.
Kiss N’ Go Lane: To keep all students safe and to maintain a smooth flow of traffic, this lane is reserved for quick drop-offs only. If you need to get out of your car or walk your child to the building, please use the parking available across the street. Thank you for doing your part to keep arrival safe, efficient, and respectful of all families.
Upcoming Dates:
No School for Students: Monday, September 22 & Tuesday, September 23 (teacher planning and professional learning days).
Evening Conferences: Tuesday, October 7th & Thursday, October 9th (4–8pm). Be on the lookout for sign-up sheets from your child’s teacher.
We look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Wednesday. Thank you for your partnership and for being such an essential part of our Stedman community.
With gratitude,
Principal Trotter
