November 20, 2020
Dear Stoddert Families,
I’ll begin this update by sharing good news. Stoddert was recently recognized by DCPS for significantly increasing our LOVED index over the past three years. The LOVED index measures students’ perceptions of positive experiences at their school. Our index increase places us in the top five of all DCPS schools.
DCPS recognized several Stoddert best practices that have contributed to our favorable trend in the LOVED index, including:
- The creation and active leadership of an SEL (Social Emotional Learning) Goal Team
- Stoddert’s school-created Sense of Belonging Survey for 3rd-5th graders
- Collaborative learning groups
- Routines and procedures to ensure physical safety for all
- Inclusive school community activities
- Welcoming physical environment that includes the flags of all ethnic backgrounds
- Weekly Town Hall assemblies that teach, reinforce, and model Stoddert’s core values
- Unique community programming, including Eye to Eye, Dancing Classrooms, Hard Bargain Farm, Thai Chi for adults, Rebok morning exercise program for students
So, thanks to all of our Stoddert families for supporting these best practices, and a special thanks to Stoddert Social Worker Margaret Hoyt for her leadership of our SEL Goal Team.
As you may be aware from recent local news reports, DCPS is proceeding with plans to open at least one CARE classroom at each elementary school and education campus, in a phased roll-out. Stoddert’s CARE classroom is scheduled to open on December 9.
It’s very important for Stoddert families to clearly understand how a CARE classroom operates.
- Each CARE classroom will contain 10-11 students from varying grade levels. Stoddert’s CARE classroom will contain students in 3rd-5th grades.
- Each student will be seated and working virtually on a computer all day and will still be a member of his or her current virtual classroom.
- Each student’s instruction will be provided virtually by his or her current classroom teacher.
- Adult staff members will manage the CARE classroom but will not be providing instruction. Instead, they will be responsible for maintaining a safe and orderly learning environment.
- To minimize distraction, CARE students will be required to wear headphones at all times.
- Daily health screenings and temperature checks will be required for all CARE students and staff members, and masks must be worn at all times.
- Bag breakfast and bag lunch will be provided.
CARE classroom seats are being offered through a DCPS-managed lottery process. First priority is going to those students who have previously accepted In Person Learning (IPL) seats, followed by the same prioritization that was used for IPL seat offers: students experiencing homelessness, students with IEPs and English Language Learners, at-risk students, and all other students.
I hope your family has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. As always, thanks for your continued support.
Principal Bryant