November 1, 2024
Volume 4, Issue 11
Safety: A Team Effort!
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) completed its first round of A.L.I.C.E. training on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the Webster School. The EPS, in partnership with its Office of Safety and Security and the Everett Police Department, held safety presentations at every school in the district throughout October. More sessions will be scheduled during the balance of the 2024-2025 school year. Thanks to the Everett Teachers Association (ETA) and the EPS Social Emotional Learning team for supporting this initiative.
A.L.I.C.E. stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. The goal of ALICE training is to teach life-saving strategies and teaches participants about the different options that are available to different situations. The in-person sessions led by the EPD were added to this year’s school calendar to support the online training faculty and staff have completed.
Pictured above, from left: Superintendent William Hart; Deborah Garfield, LICSW, the Director of Outpatient Services at Eliot Community Human Services; EPS Social Emotional Learning Supervisor Amanda Benitez, LICSW SAC; Student Resource Officers Lyanna Batista and Janelle Grasso; Everett Police Department (EPD) Sgt. Kenney Kelley; ETA President Kim Auger; Student Resource Officers Det. Stephen Ramunno; EPS Director of Safety and Security Lauren O’Connor; EPD Lt. Tino Rozza; EPS Security Manager Nadina Braxton; Webster School Head Teacher Devon Abruzzese; Webster School Principal Chris Barrett; and Chief of Police Paul Strong.
A.L.I.C.E. stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate. The goal of ALICE training is to teach life-saving strategies and teaches participants about the different options that are available to different situations. The in-person sessions led by the EPD were added to this year’s school calendar to support the online training faculty and staff have completed.
Pictured above, from left: Superintendent William Hart; Deborah Garfield, LICSW, the Director of Outpatient Services at Eliot Community Human Services; EPS Social Emotional Learning Supervisor Amanda Benitez, LICSW SAC; Student Resource Officers Lyanna Batista and Janelle Grasso; Everett Police Department (EPD) Sgt. Kenney Kelley; ETA President Kim Auger; Student Resource Officers Det. Stephen Ramunno; EPS Director of Safety and Security Lauren O’Connor; EPD Lt. Tino Rozza; EPS Security Manager Nadina Braxton; Webster School Head Teacher Devon Abruzzese; Webster School Principal Chris Barrett; and Chief of Police Paul Strong.
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Accountable Talk or Talk Moves
Get Students Talking in the Classroom
Get Students Talking in the Classroom
What is it?
Accountable Talk or Talk Moves are sentence frames that support academic conversations. Why is it important?Accountable Talk or Talk Moves provides students with the academic language needed to engage in discussions. It supports English learners by giving them the academic language to initiate and participate in the discussion. It also supports all learners in moving from social conversations to academic discussions.
Videos of How it Works in the Classroom:
Accountable Talk or Talk Moves are sentence frames that support academic conversations. Why is it important?Accountable Talk or Talk Moves provides students with the academic language needed to engage in discussions. It supports English learners by giving them the academic language to initiate and participate in the discussion. It also supports all learners in moving from social conversations to academic discussions.
Videos of How it Works in the Classroom:
- Encouraging Academic Conversations with Talk Moves
- Talk Moves in the Science Classroom
- Talk Moves in First Grade Class
Additional Resources:
- Talk Moves Handout (Tape these onto student's desks. Students might add them to their notebooks. Or post as an anchor chart in the classroom.)
- Early Elementary Talk Moves
- Secondary Talk Moves and a second with additional sentence frames
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SEL Skill of The Week: Brain Breaks
What is it?
Brain break activities are a valuable tool, offering students a chance to refresh and recharge both mentally and physically.
Why is it important?
By incorporating short, engaging activities into the school day, educators can help students alleviate stress, anxiety, and frustration, leading to improved focus and productivity upon returning to academic tasks. These breaks offer a change of pace that can enhance mood and energy levels, contributing to a more positive learning environment. Brain breaks encourage students to develop self-regulation skills, as they become more attuned to recognizing when they need a break and how to manage their emotions effectively.
Resources
Using Brain Breaks to Restore Focus
Video: Brain Breaks to Boost Learning
Activities
Kindergarten through Grade 2
Brain break activities are a valuable tool, offering students a chance to refresh and recharge both mentally and physically.
Why is it important?
By incorporating short, engaging activities into the school day, educators can help students alleviate stress, anxiety, and frustration, leading to improved focus and productivity upon returning to academic tasks. These breaks offer a change of pace that can enhance mood and energy levels, contributing to a more positive learning environment. Brain breaks encourage students to develop self-regulation skills, as they become more attuned to recognizing when they need a break and how to manage their emotions effectively.
Resources
Using Brain Breaks to Restore Focus
Video: Brain Breaks to Boost Learning
Activities
Kindergarten through Grade 2
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In Our Classrooms!
Building a Great Lesson
Building a Great Lesson
Parlin School fifth graders were recently tasked with comparing and analyzing architecture, farming methods, and social classes during the Maya, Aztec, and Inca civilizations. Led by teachers Mr. Stone, Ms. Holloway, Ms. Davis, and Mr. Costello, the students created posters, some of which are pictured above and showcase how their ability to paraphrase and structure paragraphs. This was part of Unit 2 Early American Civilizations in Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA).
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A Towering Success
Supporting Literacy at Home
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) recently concluded its series, “Growing Readers: Supporting Literacy at Home.” More than 230 parents and guardians attended one of the sessions at our elementary schools. The effort was made possible by Title I and Title III and the efforts of Assistant Superintendent of Teaching, Learning, and Student Success Dr. Margaret Adams and the EPS curriculum team. Above: Parents, teachers, and administrators enjoy the event at the Lafayette School.
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An Important Resource from DESE
Preventing Antisemitism and Societal Bias
Preventing Antisemitism and Societal Bias
A new web page from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is available to support efforts to prevent and address antisemitism and societal bias in schools, per M.G.L c. 71, s. 98A (added by Acts of 2024, c. 140, s. 106). These Resources Relative to Antisemitism and Societal Bias include:
- state and federal guidance and information to help schools and districts create and strengthen safe and supportive learning environments and prevent and address antisemitism and hate and bias incidents;
- relevant elements of the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks and other state resources to educate and support students; and
- information about the Safe and Supportive Schools Framework, self-reflection tool, and grant program.
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Real-World and Relevant
Election Resources
Election Resources
The 2024 federal, state, and local elections on Tuesday, November 5 provide an opportunity for real-world and relevant instruction on government, civics, and media literacy. Teachers in all grades are encouraged to incorporate grade-appropriate lessons as the election approaches. The election and the period during which votes are being counted will feature prominently in the news and will also be an important time for teaching about our system of democracy.
For suggestions and vetted resources, please see the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Literacy and Humanities' Special Update on teaching about the election.
For suggestions and vetted resources, please see the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Literacy and Humanities' Special Update on teaching about the election.
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Navigating Tough Topics in the Classroom
Tips for ELL Educators
Tips for ELL Educators
Educators are often faced with the dilemma of discussing challenging topics and current events in the classroom. This guide from Coloin Colorado shares steps that caring educators can take to build community, establish shared guidelines, and ensure that ELLs and immigrant students are included and supported in these discussions in meaningful ways.
FREE
MTEL Vouchers
The Everett Public Schools (EPS) has free vouchers for staff members who are planning on taking an MTEL test in 2024-2025. To obtain one, simply email Michael Minucci with the name and cost of the MTEL you are scheduled to take.
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