It is hard to believe that the first half of the year has passed!  It has been a wonderful first semester, and our staff and students have been hard at work to show Black Tiger Pride and academic growth.

First Half Accomplishments

During the first half of the year, our students have made significant strides in their academic and social-emotional development. Some of our key accomplishments include:

• Academic Growth: Richardson received an overall rating of 4 stars on the Ohio School Report Card.  This rating means that we are exceeding state standards.  We received 4 stars in the categories of Achievement, Progress, and Gap Closing.  We received 3 stars in Early Literacy, which means we are meeting state standards.

• Social-Emotional Learning: We have honored students who show BTP by choosing a “Top Paw” from each classroom every Friday.  This student gets a certificate, a tiger paw pencil, a tiger sticker, and their name read on the morning announcements.  We also began a BTP store.  Students who are making positive behavioral choices will earn tickets to spend in our store on items or experiences.

• Community Building: Our PTO has hosted many wonderful events, including Trunk or Treat, a Read-a-thon, and  Fall Carnival.  Attendance at these events has been phenomenal, and it is wonderful to see families, students, and staff enjoying each other’s company.

Second Half Goals

As we look ahead to the second half of the year, we have set the following goals:

• Strengthen Literacy Skills: We continue to learn and grow with our new ELA curriculum in 6 classrooms, and 3 more teachers will be beginning to teach this program in January.  We will be providing professional development for all of our staff to be prepared to incorporate more Science of Reading strategies in their classrooms.

• Improve Math Screening:  We will be implementing Acadience math to screen students on their math skills.  From this data, we will be able to provide targeted instruction and interventions for students who may need additional support.

• Promote Well-being: We will prioritize student well-being by providing opportunities for mindfulness, and social-emotional support with the support of our school counselor, school social workers, and Red Oak staff.

How You Can Help

We encourage you to continue to support your child's learning at home by:

• Reading together daily: Reading aloud and discussing books helps build vocabulary and comprehension skills.

• Staying connected with your child's teacher: Regular communication with your child's teacher is essential for building a strong partnership.

• Attending school events: Participating in school events helps create a strong sense of community and supports your child's learning.

We look forward to a productive and rewarding second half of the school year. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.