To the families of Tamarac Elementary School,
Elementary students had a busy week of learning and fun. Tuesday was Crazy Hair Day. We saw so many creative styles: unicorn hair, spiky hair, and even hair that looked like cupcakes and doughnuts! Mr. Pogue used this occasion to explore a new hair color, and Mrs. Onorato stepped back in time with her vintage hair crimper. We are not sure whether the grown ups or the students had more fun with their crazy hair looks! On Thursday, our students participated in an assembly featuring Jared Campbell, a singer/songwriter who brings a character education message with his performance. This concert was thoroughly enjoyed by students and teachers.
This is a reminder that “Read for Ronald McDonald House” packets went home with students last week. Funds raised through the Read for Ronald McDonald House program go directly to the Ronald McDonald House in Albany to help support families with children in the hospital. Please consider donating and asking family and friends to support us! Also, encourage your kids to read, read, read! Please check out Tamarac Elementary School's team fundraising page for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region Inc - https://give.rmhcofalbany.org/team/378190
Tamarac Elementary is currently exploring resources and working toward building a positive system of behavior supports and discipline practices. While we work to build this more positive and proactive system, from time to time, students may have behavioral and social challenges that require an office referral and parent/guardian contact. A referral is not a “punishment,” and it is an important element of communication with teachers, administrators, and parents. It also serves as an important data collection tool. If a student is having trouble following expectations, a teacher or staff person will write a referral to document the behavior and the consequences that followed. Moving forward, we plan to look at the data provided to us through referral forms to observe behavior trends building-wide and to plan interventions for individual students. If your child has a more minor behavior issue, your teacher will communicate with you about that level of behavior. If your child needs a referral for a more significant or ongoing issue that warrants office involvement, you will be contacted by a building administrator. You will also receive a copy of the referral form. An updated referral system is just one small component of a more positive behavior system, overall. As we work to build our system this spring and into the next school year, we will share with you information and resources along the way. We are excited to begin making this shift to more positive and proactive approaches to behavior, and we look forward to partnering with parents in this important work.
We hope your children enjoyed their half day today. Their teachers were hard at work learning and planning. Our faculty and staff are true models of lifelong learning, and we look forward to bringing this afternoon’s trainings to life in the classroom!
Sincerely, Kelly Onorato and Rich Pogue Administration, Tamarac Elementary School