CALENDAR OF EVENTS Fall 2016 www.ycs.wednet.edu

GROWTH REQUIRES CHANGE

Yelm Community Schools now serves more than 5,700 students

kindergarten through 12th grade on our 10

campuses. To give some context, we have grown

by 600 students in the past 10 years and 1,600

students in the past 20 years. If expected growth

continues, we could reach 6,000 students by

2019. Without a doubt, our schools were not

built for so many students. We are reaching a

critical point in terms of having enough class-

rooms to house students.

Last February, we did not reach the needed 60% pass rate required on our bond proposal that was

designed to address our expanding needs. Since that vote, the district has enacted plans to

manage enrollment growth, especially at our highly crowded elementary schools. In order to

appropriately house our students, we must make significant shifts of our student population.

Starting in the fall of 2017 all elementary schools will become K-5 schools, and sixth grade will

move to middle school. At the same time, ninth grade will be on the high school campus. These

shifts will result in two or three classrooms opening up at each elementary school which allows for

expected growth. By adding another grade level to Yelm High School, its enrollment will exceed

1600 students.

Twelve new classrooms are being added to the YHS campus to accommodate the growth. Four of

the classes will be portables and the remaining eight will be a larger modular building. The

modular building is attractive and has an internal hallway and restrooms. It is important to note

that even with new classrooms, we will not be able to add infrastructure across the district such as

food service areas, covered walkways, gymnasium space, field space or new restrooms at the

middle and elementary schools. As we continue to grow and refill the elementary classrooms in

the next few years, we will feel more growing pains.

NOVEMBER

Native Heritage Month

6 Standard Time Change

10 End of 1st Quarter — Half Day

11 Veteran's Day — NO SCHOOL

16-18 Conferences — Half Day

16 Winter Sports Begin

22 School Board Meeting 7pm

24-25 Thanksgiving Break —

NO SCHOOL

DECEMBER

15 School Board Meeting 7pm

19 Winter Break Begins —

NO SCHOOL

JANUARY

3 First Day Back from Winter Break

12 School Board Meeting 5pm

@ Southworth Elementary

16 MLK Day — NO SCHOOL

27 End of 2nd Quarter — Half Day

WHAT IS COLLEGE & CAREER READY?

Last spring Yelm adopted new graduation requirements to align with the state to support the skills

students need to be successful after high school. Starting with the Class of 2021 (current 8th

graders), students will engage in four years of rigorous academic courses and focused personal

pathway credits that support their High School & Beyond Plan. Through exploration of various

career fields, students will select courses to prepare them for the

education necessary to pursue post-graduation goals.

In middle school students will begin to explore education and career

options. Through personal reflection and research, students will

design a plan showing the courses they will take to meet the 24 -

credit requirement. This plan puts them on a path to transition to

the education, training or work experience necessary for their

chosen career pathway. Learn more about the new requirements

and Career Pathways at www.ycs.wednet.edu/ccr.

Follow Yelm Community Schools

on Facebook and Twitter

www.facebook.com/YCSnews

Twitter — @YCSnews

107 First North Street

PO Box 476

Yelm, WA 98597-0476

360.458.1900

www.ycs.wednet.edu

Yelm Community Schools complies with all federal

and state laws and regulations and does not discrimi-

nate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin,

gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability,

veteran status. Inquiries regarding compliance and

grievance procedures may be directed to the district’s

Title IX Officer, Greg Davis, or Section 504/ADA Coor-

dinator, Shannon Powell, PO Box 476, Yelm, WA

98597.

ECRWSS

POSTAL CUSTOMER

This year, kindergarten through fifth grade implemented a new English Language Arts

program called Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA). CKLA addresses all aspects of

reading, writing, language, speaking and listening. The program is unique because it

builds background knowledge while helping students become better readers.

Students explore fascinating aspects of ancient

cultures, science, American history, and literature.

CKLA challenges students to discuss, present, and

write about these topics. Like many programs,

CKLA also teaches students the foundational skills

of reading such as letter sounds, sight words, and

sounding out words. In addition, CKLA integrates

important skills like spelling, penmanship, and

grammar. We are excited to watch our students

grow each year with CKLA.

ONLINE TOOLS FOR FAMILIES

Skyward Access is a great way for parents to stay connected to their

child’s school.

Monitor student attendance

Track food service balance

Review student grades and missing assignments for middle

and high school only

If you don’t have access, it is easy

to get an account.

SEND EMAIL TO:

family_access@ycs.wednet.edu

SUBJECT LINE: type name of the

school your child attends

BODY OF MESSAGE: parent's full

name, child's full name

Need to put money on account for

lunches or pay fees?

Use the secure online tool:

payment.ycs.wednet.edu

There is a standard format for all

users and their passwords.

User Name is the parent’s Skyward Login ID (Family

Access ID)

Password is Last Name in all

capital letters

Recently, the Yelm School Board and Superintendent Brian Wharton spent time

reviewing the district goals. At the end of December, the current strategic plan for the

district will expire; and the board reflected on the future needs of our students and

community. Supt. Wharton described their work as, “One of the best days I have

spent in education! I was honored to work with our directors who have incredible

passion for the school district and community, and who are willing to set strong and

ambitious goals for our future.”

The community will soon see a draft of the new strategic plan and how we will

develop the systems that will measure our growth, inform our public, and allow the

community to see the great work happening in our schools. Supt. Wharton will be

meeting with community groups and is seeking input on how we continue to improve.

Come be a part of helping Yelm Community Schools grow! Visit the website for

meeting dates and survey links to provide feedback: www.ycs.wednet.edu.

NEW PLAN IS ON THE HORIZON

HIGH QUALITY INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES

“The starting point of all achievement is desire” - Napoleon Hill

DODEA GRANT PROVIDES MORE TECHNOLOGY

This summer during our back to school workshops, district staff were inspired by the

presenter Damen Lopez, Founder of No Excuses University. He shared his belief

that we need to create a Culture of Universal Achievement. This means, “we believe in

the potential of all students to be proficient in reading, writing

and math; and more so, that we believe it is our responsibility

to make it happen.”

Why? “Because when you believe in something with all your

heart, it changes your behavior,” Damen emphasized. Admin-

istrators, teachers and instructional support staff have em-

braced this mindset and are working collaboratively to design

systems to support all students in achieving their goals.

EUREKA...I’VE GOT IT!

Last spring, the YCS Board of Directors adopted a new

K-12 math curriculum called Eureka Math. Connect-

ing math to the real world, it takes the fear out of

math and increases student confidence. Lesson by

lesson, students build understanding that links math

ideas across grade levels. Students focus on fewer

topics overall which develops deeper mathematical

understanding.

Eureka Math goes beyond facts and formulas helping students become not merely

literate, but fluent in mathematics. Students use pictures, models and manipulatives.

Once they “see” what’s happening, they use symbols and standard algorithms because

they now understand what makes those processes work. This approach helps students

build on what they’ve learned year after year, ensuring they are prepared for the

challenges of today and tomorrow. Middle and high school courses are implementing

Eureka this year and elementaries will shift instruction in 2017-18.

INSPIRING STUDENTS TO ACHIEVE

A five-year $1,250,000 grant from the Department of

Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Partnership will allow

Yelm Community Schools to improve learning by increasing

technology for students and aligning instructional practices.

The goal of this project is to increase student achievement

in mathematics and assist students as they transition from

elementary school into middle and then high school.

“Military students are particularly vulnerable during significant transitions. The Do-

DEA grant allows us to increase support for students during these critical transition

times, something that can positively impact all students,” according to Kimberly Sulli-

van, Director of Assessment and Grants. “While the grant targets increasing military

student achievement, all students will benefit from professional development of teach-

ers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) content, high-quality in-

struction, and increased access to technology.”

WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Parents have resources available to use when helping students at home. Make reading for fun a regular

part of the daily routine Have your child talk about the

stories they are reading at school

Ask questions to help your child

remember details Act out stories together from

books, television, or your child’s imagination

Create fun vocabulary activities

like “word of the day” and seeing how often it can be used

For more suggestions, check out

www.pta.org/parents

WITH EUREKA MATH

Students will receive print resources to help with homework, but the same resources are available online: www.engageny.org Review student worksheets and

also access teacher materials to help check student work

Ask your child to show you their work and explain what they are learning

WHAT SHOULD EVERYONE KNOW ABOUT YELM SCHOOLS?

DID YOU KNOW THAT YELM HAS A BIRTH TO AGE 3 PROGRAM?

Yelm Community Schools (YCS) in partnership with

South Sound Parent to Parent (SSP2P) provides support

and services to families of infants and toddlers identified

with developmental delays and/or disabilities from birth

to 3 years old. This is available to all families living with-

in the boundaries of Yelm Community Schools.

The purposes of the Birth-to-Three program are 1) share

strategies with parents that promote developmental pro-

gress of infants/toddlers and 2) support parents as they

network and gather local resources. Eligible parents can

participate in a group that meets once a week during the

YCS calendar year or work with early intervention service

providers directly during home visits.

Dr. Jennifer Black coordinates the Birth to 3 program

located at Prairie Elementary. Enrollment in the

program is ongoing. As of today, there are 29 families

currently enrolled, 4 pending registrations, and 4 pend-

ing evaluations for initial eligibility. Specific services

provided include evaluations of developmental function-

ing, speech/language development, physical and

occupational therapy, parenting support, childcare

provider training, social and play skills development, and

preschool transition planning.

The Birth to 3 program is funded through Part C of the

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and the

Washington State Department of Early Learning is the

local regulatory agency. If anyone has concerns about the

development of an infant or toddler, please contact:

Alissa McClellan,

Family Resource

Coordinator

(FRC) with SSP2P

360.352.1126

extension 109

Phil Gathany Yelm Cinemas, Alumni

“I like that all schools are on social

media now. It’s nice to see what is

happening at my alma mater.”

Stephanie Kangiser Owner Bliss Experience “I'm always amazed at how many

alumni settle here or go away and

come back.”

Larry Sickles Retired & Yelm Alumni “The board and all staff are working

toward the success of each and

every Yelm student through well

defined and workable goals, plans

and actions. It is an ever improv-

ing, contemporary program.”

Coach Andrew Mohl Tornado Youth Football “They do excellent job of partnering

with the youth athletic organiza-

tions in the community to keep kids

active and teach role of the student-

athlete.”

Mackenzie Conley Olympia Federal Savings

“I had no idea how much money in

scholarships were offered to Yelm

High School graduating seniors

each year. “

Angie Evans Nisqually Valley News “Just heard about the ‘Chats with

Principals’ in schools, and I like

that. Also appreciate that admin

and staff always volunteer in

community events.”