Dear JACS Families,
This email is to inform you of an update to our 2023-2024 school calendar.
Originally, Friday, April 19th is listed as a 1/2 day of school for students with teacher professional development in the afternoon. However, there has been an opportunity presented to the system teachers and staff to receive a full day of professional development.
In consultation with our school board and pastors, it has been decided that on Friday, April 19th, the Joplin Area Catholic Schools will NOT be in session.
Attached you will find information regarding the Dyslexia and Science of Reading trainings that our teachers and staff will take part in beginning on April 19th and concluding this summer.
This is a wonderful opportunity to provide training to our staff in recognizing and working with all students in the area of reading.
Have a blessed Easter,
Emily Yoakam, Ed.D.
Director of Schools,
Joplin Area Catholic Schools
Structured literacy is everywhere, but what is it, and how is it different from what we currently do in school?
The Structured literacy approach is based on the science of reading and it emphasizes highly explicit and systematic teaching of all important components of literacy. These components are Phonological Awareness, Phonics and word study, Vocabulary, Fluency, and Comprehension. The goal of this professional development series is to empower educators with knowledge of the science of reading and to give them the tools to implement that learning directly in the classroom.
Learning about structured literacy is amazing but knowing how to administer what we learned and identifying if it is working is even better. A big part of our professional development will be spent doing practicums and activities we can execute right away in the classroom, learning about data, its meaning, and how to address areas of need.
During day 1 of professional development, we will learn about dyslexia, we will have a dyslexia simulation and we will cover an overview of structured literacy and each of the 5 components of literacy. The scientific reasoning behind each component, the job each one has, and how they scaffold together. Days 2-4 will cover each component of literacy in depth.PD schedule:
During day 1 of professional development, we will learn about dyslexia, we will have a dyslexia simulation and we will cover an overview of structured literacy and each of the 5 components of literacy. The scientific reasoning behind each component, the job each one has, and how they scaffold together. Days 2-4 will cover each component of literacy in depth.
Day 2:
Morning session: Phonological Awareness.
Afternoon session: Data; what it means and how to improve it. Related Practicums and curriculum-based activities.
Day 3:
Morning session: Phonics and Word Study. Vocabulary.
Afternoon Session: Related Practicums and curriculum-based activities.
Day 4:
Morning session: Fluency and Comprehension.
Afternoon Session: Related Practicums and curriculum-based activities.
Day 5:
Morning session: Curriculum discussion. How does it follow the science of reading, and how can we supplement it if needed?
Afternoon Session: Related Practicums and curriculum-based activities.
