Thursday, December 9, 2021 Volume 16 Issue 12
A Message from Ms. Litton, our P. E. Teacher
I am so thankful to be a part of this wonderful Thurgood Marshall community and teach physical education (PE) to our students. My name is Ana Litton and I began teaching PE at Thurgood Marshall in the fall of 2019. I moved here from Virginia, where I was an elementary PE teacher for five years. Prior to teaching, I was a collegiate coach at the Division III level at several schools in the Virginia and Chicago area. I have coached basketball, volleyball, softball, and tennis. I also ran a youth sports organization in Chicago and have been a camp director over the years. I went to undergrad at Longwood University in Virginia where I majored in Sociology/Criminal Justice and played basketball and softball for four years. I got my master’s, teaching certification, and health and PE endorsements from North Park University in Chicago while serving as a graduate assistant volleyball coach. I absolutely love the Pacific Northwest and all that it has to offer. In my free time, I enjoy exploring the outdoors, hiking, road trips, kayaking, photography and seaglassing. The pandemic has been a challenge for everyone to navigate the last few years and we all have a great deal to work on as we progress forward. I am beyond excited to be back for in person learning in PE this year. It is not easy for our students to navigate participating in PE with a mask on but, they have really impressed me with their discipline and responsibility to keep everyone safe. My goal in PE this year is for students to reacquaint themselves with how their bodies move and how to effectively interact socially within a gym of other students. I want them to learn how to have proper spatial awareness through a variety of movements and skill developments. More than anything this year, I have noticed our students are in desperate need of social and emotional learning. One of the best summaries I have found for what PE provides for our students (now more than ever) was found in an online article from the UK by authors, David Grecic, Andrew Sprake, and Robin Taylor in which they stated:
“As well as developing physical skills, PE teaches children intellectual skills, helps them navigate complex social situations, and nurtures their emotional development. The interactive and collaborative nature of PE can foster self-confidence, empathy and understanding by encouraging children to work together and support each other. PE encourages pupils to be creative, solve problems, and plan for the future. By working together, pupils can address physical and intellectual challenges while learning to communicate and manage risk and conflict. “
Our students have missed in person PE and nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy in their eyes or hearing their excitement as I incorporate some of their favorite activities from the past while also teaching them new skills and games. We have all missed that joy.
I am excited to begin our jump rope unit after winter break. I also plan to do a unit that focuses solely on teamwork and problem solving. We will spend time completing a nutrition unit and bones and muscles unit in the spring. I am thrilled to announce that during the month of April our 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students get to participate in our bike unit, thanks to Cascade Bicycle Club and the Let’s Go bike program. Just over a week ago, I set up a fundraising program through Donors Choose to raise money for new tumbling mats and new volleyball poles/bases. I have been blown away by the response we have gotten in just a week and a half. Thank you so much to those of you who have donated. We are only $1,008 from meeting our goal. If you are able to donate or know of anyone looking to support our students in PE, please pass along this link: https://www.donorschoose.org/project/pe-tumbling-into-fitness-fun-and-voll/6037467/ Please let me know if I can assist you or our students in any way. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do during these last few years. We will get through this together!
See you at our upcoming Academic Parent Teacher Teams meeting on Tuesday, December 14th!
Packets will be coming home with your child on Dec. 14 to be opened at the start of the meeting. Don’t miss out on the fun! Your child can attend with you and you will learn fun activities to do together at home to enhance the learning happening at school!
WHEN?
Virtually the evening of
Tuesday, December 14
(times vary by classroom)
WHERE?
Your child’s classroom teacher will send you a meeting link to join the meeting online
WHY?
During our meeting you will have the opportunity to:
Meet and build classroom community with other families
Learn about and practice, academic games for your child
Review your child’s academic progress
Set academic goals for your child
As part of our school's Title 1 requirement, we are asking families to fill out the Parent-Teacher-Student Compact, linked here: TM_Title1_ParentCompact.docx . The purpose of the compact is for parents, teachers and students to make a commitment to learning behaviors that will set our students up for success this school year.
Return the compact to your child’s teacher.
Please let us know if you would like a hard copy.
K-5 Math Adoption Materials Ready for Your Review
Students, families, and community are invited to review the math materials being considered for the K-5 math adoption for 2022-23 school year.
It has been eight years since Seattle Public Schools updated its elementary math instructional materials. Seattle Public Schools initiated a new adoption process for instructional materials to support math instruction in grades K-5 for the 2022-23 school year. The process is now in the first phase where the proposed materials are being reviewed. During this phase, students, families, and other stakeholders are invited to review the math materials online and provide their opinion. The district's adoption committee is currently reviewing several different materials, and invites SPS families and students give your opinion. The adoption committee will consider your input when choosing 2-3 finalists to field test in January. Families can preview the materials on our website and review them using the survey link provided on the page. Review the Math Materials Under Consideration. The SPS Math Department thanks you for sharing your thoughts about what will best meet the needs of our students. If you have any questions or concerns, email them to K5mathadoption@seattleschools.org.
School Board to Consider Make-Up Day for Unscheduled November 12 School Closure
The School Board’s executive committee recommended making Thursday, Jan. 27, a day initially scheduled as a break between semesters, a regular school day. This would make up the lost school day from Nov. 12. With the executive committee's recommendation it will be on the Dec. 15 School Board meeting agenda for a final determination. The make-up day is not final until it is approved by the school board.
LGBTQ+ Families Dinner Series
This LGBTQ+ Families Dinner Series is a virtual opportunity for people to connect across shared identities and experiences. This event is for LGBTQ+ Families of SPS students, LGBTQ+ Students and their families, and present LGBTQ+ Staff and their families. We will have a fun and easy program. Please RSVP here by December 10th at 5pm: https://forms.gle/um2iA2zHozB6SAta7 We will be sending a calendar invitation for this Microsoft Teams Live event! We look forward to seeing you soon, LGBTQ+ Families! Please email brham@seattleschools.org with questions. Event: Virtual LGBTQ+ Families Dinner Date: Thursday, December 16th, 2021 Location: Virtually via a Microsoft Teams invitation Time: 6pm-7PM
Sensory-Friendly Performance! Tuesday, December 21 @ 2PM
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker® Sensory-Friendly Performance
On December 21, at 2:00PM, the Pacific Northwest Ballet will present an inclusive, sensory-friendly performance of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® in partnership with Sensory Access. This performance will feature a supportive and welcoming environment so neurodiverse audience members of all ages can enjoy the shared experience of live ballet with their friends and family. Modified lighting and sound levels, fidgets, entry/exit privileges, trained staff, allowance of devices, and a quiet room will be offered at this matinee. Click here to learn more!
PNB Is Back In Schools!
Beginning in January 2022, PNB Community Education teaching artists and accompanists will be back leading in-person DISCOVER DANCE residencies at partner schools!
Please take some time to fill out a Free and Reduced lunch form, before Winter Break, if you have not yet done this for this 21-22 school year.
It could make a BIG difference for our students so it is very important we get them back. This needs to happen before winter break to impact funding for next year. THANK YOU!!
Free and Reduced Lunch forms will be coming home with your child this week.
Here is a link to the form: https://paypams.com/OnlineApp.aspx. if you would like to fill it out online
This process is completely confidential.
