There is no school, tomorrow, January 19th, in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Tuesday, January 20th-Monday, January 26th grade 1 and 2 students will be assessed in middle of year (MOY) foundational literacy skills.

The Sandwich Public Schools uses Imagine Learning dyslexia screener, now called the Imagine+ Screener. This is a game-based, research-backed tool for PreK-3 students that identifies early risks for dyslexia and reading challenges by assessing foundational literacy skills like phonological awareness and phonics, providing teachers with actionable data for timely intervention and connecting to personalized learning paths within Imagine Learning's suite. Developed with experts from Boston Children's Hospital and the Florida Center for Reading Research, this adaptive assessment uses AI speech recognition for accuracy and helps teachers understand a student's potential for reading success early on. 

Kindergarten students will take this assessment later next month.

All K-2 students will take their middle of year (MOY) DESSA screener between January 20th-30th.

The DESSA (Devereux Student Strengths Assessment) Screener is a brief, research-based tool used to help schools understand and support students’ social-emotional development. For elementary students, it is completed by teachers and focuses on strengths such as self-regulation, relationship skills, and decision-making, rather than academic performance or diagnosing concerns. The information gathered helps our school identify areas where students are thriving, as well as where additional support or instruction may be beneficial, so we can better support the whole child in a positive and proactive way.

If you have any questions please contact social workers Alyssa Pestilli (apestilli@sandwich.k12.ma.us) or Claire Poole (cpoole@sandwich.k12.ma.us)

Forestdale School will be participating in the Great Kindness Challenge the week of January 26th-30th. Great Kindness Challenge Week is a special, schoolwide initiative that encourages students to practice kindness, empathy, and respect in simple, meaningful ways. Throughout the week, students participate in age-appropriate activities and challenges that focus on being kind to themselves, their peers, adults, and the school community. These small acts, such as using kind words, helping a friend, or including others help students build positive social and emotional skills.

For our Forestdale students, the Great Kindness Challenge is designed to be fun, engaging, and easy to understand. Teachers may use read-alouds, class discussions, and visual checklists to reinforce what kindness looks like in everyday situations. The goal is to help students recognize that their actions matter and that kindness can make school a safer, happier place for everyone.

Click HERE for more info about our Kindness Week.  See the spirit week schedule below.

Order your Forestdale Memory Book today!