Dear Clay Hill Families and Caregivers,

Can you believe we have already crossed the finish line of the third quarter? As of Friday, March 13, our students and staff have officially transitioned into a well-deserved Spring Break.

It has been a joy to walk through our hallways this quarter. From watching our Pre-K students develop foundational social skills to observing our sixth graders tackle complex algebraic thinking and deep literary analysis, the growth at Clay Hill Elementary is undeniable. Our teachers have been working tirelessly to align lessons with the Florida Standards, ensuring your children are receiving the highest quality instruction possible.

While we want everyone to disconnect and recharge over the break, we also want to be transparent about what awaits us upon our return. The fourth quarter is our "championship season." When we head back to campus, we will be narrowing our focus to ensure every student is prepared for the rigors of end-of-year assessments. Our classrooms will be centered on: standards-based Instruction, frequent checking for understanding, and building student stamina and vocabulary in all content areas.

You are our most valuable partners in your child’s success. To keep their brains active over the break without losing the "vacation vibe," I suggest:

The 20-Minute Rule: Encourage your child to read for just 20 minutes a day. Whether it’s a graphic novel, a cookbook, or a mystery, keeping those literacy muscles moving is key.

Real-World Math: If you’re at the grocery store or a restaurant, have your child help with the "mental math" of prices or totals. It keeps the best math standards fresh!

Rest and Routine: As the break winds down, helping your child get back into a consistent sleep schedule will make that first day back much smoother.

Don't forget that Monday, March 23, is a Teacher Planning Day, and there will be no school. Students will return to begin the fourth quarter of the year on Tuesday, March 24.

We are so proud of the "Clay Hill Way" and the progress our students are making. Enjoy this time with your families, stay safe, and let’s get ready to finish this school year stronger than ever!

Sincerely,

Adele Reed

Thank you, parents, for supporting our Celebrate Math Week initiative! In the same way we encourage rich reading experiences during Celebrate Literacy Week, our goal for the week of March 9-13 was to raise our students' awareness of math in the world around them and to connect with one another through rich numeracy experiences. Our culminating Pie a Teacher event for Pi Day was an amazing afternoon of fun! We appreciate your support of Math Week!

Parents, it's almost time to start planning for your child's kindergarten enrollment! Registration opens April 2, and we will offer a tour of both kindergarten and school-age classes on Thursday, April 30. (More info to come.) Please share with friends and family who may have a child who will turn 5 on or before September 1.

There is NO SCHOOL NEXT WEEK, March 16-20. Enjoy your Spring Break!

Important Dates to Remember:

Monday, Mar. 23:
-Teacher Planning Day, No School

Tuesday, Mar. 24:
-Students Return, First day of Quarter 4

Friday, Mar. 27:
-Report Cards available in ParentVUE
-6th Grade Greek Olympics
-6th Grade Awards, 1:15 PM

Annual state testing for grades 4-6 is scheduled at the end of this month. Our students and teachers have been working diligently to prepare for the rigors of this assessment, which evaluates the students' ability to respond to a prompt with purpose, structure, essay development, and language. To learn more about how students are assessed, visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/writing.stml.

Please review our FAST Writing Assessment Parent Letter HERE to become acclimated to the testing policies.