For January, our Monthly Core Value is Promoting Social Justice, and our Monthly Theme was Poverty in America Awareness, providing a lens for both academic and social-emotional learning. As we entered the second half of the year, mid-year data and targeted interventions remained central to planning and instructional focus.

Mid-year early literacy (MOY) data showed overall whole-school growth toward typical end-of-year benchmarks. In Kindergarten, 63% of students were achieving typical growth, with 75% of K3 and 63% of K2 classrooms ahead of pace. Grade 1 was at 52%, Grade 2 at 31%, Grade 3 at 48%, and Grade 4 at 53%. The most significant growth continued in Math domains that have received the most instructional focus, particularly Number and Operations and Algebra and Algebraic Thinking. Overall grade-level placements indicated that while many students are performing at or above grade level, targeted supports continued for students below grade level, including those two or more grades behind. Notably, one 4th grade class achieved 113% progress to typical growth for seven students who were at least two grade levels below. A 3rd grade class had the highest concentration of students improving their performance level, reflecting the effectiveness of focused interventions.

Key upcoming academic and school-wide events include common benchmark assessments in ELA and Math for grades 3–5, ACCESS testing, and ongoing FEL monitoring meetings. Important dates include January 9 (Spelling Bee Round 1), January 16 (Round 2), January 23 (Quarter 2 ends), January 24 (Quarter 3 begins), and January 30 (Quarter 2 Report Cards and Spelling Bee Round 3).

Instructional planning and data-driven action steps include:

1. One-on-one data conversations and action plans with teachers to target student growth.
2. Team-level data discussions to inform adjustments and instructional priorities.
3. Re-evaluating and adjusting small groups and school-wide Math supports to address learning gaps.
4. Planning upcoming Language of Math units for ELL students in grades K–3:
   
   • K: Addition and Subtraction
   • 1: Secret Mission: Measurement
   • 2: Measurement and Data
   • 3: Fractions Are Our Friends
5. Using upcoming Grade-Level Team (GLT) meetings as a space for ESL teachers to share resources and ensure instructional coherence across classrooms.

ACCESS Testing was in progress and on target to be completed by the end of the month. The WIDA ACCESS for ELs test is the state-mandated English proficiency assessment and consists of four tests given on different days targeting each of the language domains (listening, speaking, reading, and writing). 

Across all areas, the school continued to use updated mid-year assessment data to refine instruction, strengthen Tier 2 interventions, and ensure that students were on track for end-of-year academic goals. Kindergarten and early-grade classrooms demonstrated strong progress, while targeted support for students performing below grade level was helping to close gaps and accelerate growth across the school.