Padres, por favor lean el anuncio importante sobre almuerzos gratis y reducidos. ¡Es más que un almuerzo!
This weekend looks like a perfect weekend to support our band and get a free car wash! First 1,000 are free!
Parents, please read the important announcement about free and reduced lunch. More than just a meal!
George IF Has Passion to Help Dyslexic Students
Elizabeth Dederich is in her 21st year as an educator, including 20 in the Springdale Public School District, but a new assignment has flamed her passion for helping students who are diagnosed with showing markers for dyslexia. While maintaining her position as an instructional facilitator at George Elementary School, Dederich has had the opportunity to work with the district’s building level dyslexic interventionalists.
“I taught fourth grade in my first year in education and I was mesmerized by how first grade teachers taught readiing,” says Dederich, who is in her 10th year at George. “Four or five years ago Annette (Thompson, George principal) wanted me to dig deeper into dyslexia.
“I earned an endorsement in dyslexia and learned through the Science of Reading that phonological awareness is the first step toward learning to read. So, the question becomes, how do we recognize when a problem in learning to read is because of dyslexia?”
In searching for answers for supporting those diagnosed with markers of dyslexia, Dederich dove into district professional development, noting, “Linda Odle, Leanne Howard and Cindy Love have done a great job of helping us watch children, find specific gaps in their learning and helping us fill those gaps. It’s fascinating. We have time and a structure in place to fill those gaps.”
Recognizing the need to have someone within the district to train and work with the building level dyslexic interventionalists (there is one in every school), coordinator of student support services Damon Donnell chose Dederich to begin to fill that role.
“It was like giving a dog a bone when Damon gave me the opportunity to work with the BLDI’s,” says Dederich. “In kindergarten through fifth grade, we use Phonics First when dealing with dyslexia. In grades 6-12 we utilize Structures. The BLDI’s are given extensive training and are exposed to the Science of Reading. Our district has given us resources to support the work.
“At George, Annette has given me responsibilities and taught me how to create systems that promote change. Sue Wood, another IF, has been instrumental in my learning through the years. I love my work at George but also want to serve our entire district. The BLDI’s need a place to ask questions and have peer support. I have been blessed because several of them have reached out to me after our training sessions.”
It doesn’t surprise Donnell that the BLDI’s have connected with Dederich. He says, “Elizabeth is one of the best leaders I’ve ever worked with. She gets people and how to make change through collaborative effort.”
Dederich doesn’t take the leadership responsibility lightly.
“One of the ways we can test for dyslexia is through a map fluency assessment,” Dederich explains. “I spent the summer doing a deep dive into how the test works and how we are assessing. It enabled me to create professional development.
“A book we use says one in five students could have dyslexia. We need to recognize what the markers for dyslexia are. Reading difficulties could be a result of too many absences, a language barrier or it could be dyslexia. We have to be able to identify the problem to provide the proper services.”
What is the eventual goal?
“Our hope is that within time every student is reading on grade level as we remove the difficulties of being dyslexic,” Dederich responds. “We want to make sure every student’s needs are met. There is no specific timetable because every child is different. But, when we look at the data we want to make sure each student is making adequate progress.”
Working to insure every dyslexic student receives the resources necessary to overcome any obstacles is another reason Springdale Public Schools are #THEChoice.
Donation to GJHS by the Urban League of Arkansas. They collected school supplies for the month of August and presented them to us Sept. 4th. The supplies will help our students at every level of engagement their families choose this year. Pictured in photos: Brandon Claybrook, Mr. Jenkins, Danielle Reynolds, Gheremey Edwards, Alicia Johnson.
Padres, por favor vea el volante para aprender información importante sobre los almuerzos gratis y reducidos.
Save the Date! The 41st annual Springdale Band Car Wash is almost here! On September 23rd the first 1,000 cars get a free car wash and vacuum at 3 Speedy Splash Locations. Partners like Speedy Splash is another reason why Springdale Schools is #THEChoice
Parents, please see the flyer below to learn about important information regarding free and reduced lunches.
DTSOI Lacrosse are looking at adding more players to our men's lacrosse program across the district. If interested, please reach out to Coach Stokes at jstokes@sdale.org. Practices start at the beginning of October. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Air high fives are just as awesome! Thank you teachers for caring so much about our students! #ThankATeacher
Instructional Facilitators met in the Springdale High School Performing Art Center today to discuss Vision, Mission and Purpose! Dr. Jared Cleveland and Mrs. Shannon Tisher led the meeting. The IF's support teachers with curriculum needs so our students are achieving on the highest levels! Instructional Facilitators are another reason why Springdale school District is #THEChoice
It's that time of the year again! Please support our Springdale Public Schools Education Foundation! You can join us live stream on September 23rd from 2 - 2:30 pm on the SPSEF Facebook Page.
Watch Wildcat Varsity Football LIVE on YouTube!
Har-Ber High School Football | Har-Ber vs Greenwood
https://youtu.be/XBW79zVZqHM
Watch Bulldog Varsity Football LIVE on YouTube!
Springdale Bulldog Football | SHS vs Farmington
https://youtu.be/tG76zotze9I
Veteran leadership in the Springdale school system is another reason why we'd like to #ThankATeacher !
Please congratulate Andre Sparks SHS
Shelter Insurance Player of the Week
Please congratulate Drue McClendon HBHS
Shelter Insurance Player of the Week
The Springdale School District is proud to have outstanding Social Workers and Counselors who are ready to serve students, families, and the community.
“I’m showing them some of the online sources that we have. We are
partnering with Springdale Public Library. So there’s more choices for them to do online reading, if we go back to remote learning.”
Our teachers put students as their number one priority and their safety is always important! #ThankATeacher !
