February 28, 2025
Volume 4, Issue 26
Jeans Day for Fundraiser on Friday, March 7
To Benefit the Alyssa (Moore) Madden
To Benefit the Alyssa (Moore) Madden
As some of you may already be aware, Lafayette School teacher Alyssa (Moore) Madden is recovering from brain surgery and is now also battling cancer. What was supposed to be a form of maternity leave is now a fight to regain her health. Let's show Alyssa and her new family the power of community and rally around them to show our support by participating in a Jeans Day Fundraiser on Friday, March 7, 2025. Please make your $5 donation to your building’s Administrative Assistant and forward all final collections to the Lafayette School!
Ms. Madden: We’re thinking of you!
Ms. Madden: We’re thinking of you!
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Congratulations, Ms. Taylor!
EPS Educator Appointed Principal of the Lafayette School
Click HERE for Details
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EPS Educator Appointed Principal of the Lafayette School
Click HERE for Details
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A Message from Ms. Victoria Privott
Ramadan Guidance
This weekend marks the beginning of the Holy Month of Ramadan and lasts through Saturday, March 29, 2025. Ramadan is a month in the Islamic calendar when Muslims observe fasting from sunrise to sunset. Keep in mind that it can be a difficult month for many who must go through a normal school day without eating or drinking.
For schools, it’s important to provide an environment for students where they feel safe to practice their religion, and one that ensures their well-being during the school day. Please consider the guidance below and share the attached infographic with your staff to support our colleagues & students during this month of introspection and fasting.
Greetings: "Ramadan Kareem" and "Ramadan Mubarak" are Arabic phrases that mean "have a blessed or generous Ramadan." (Source: time.com)
Space: During lunchtime, fasting can be challenging for Muslim students, as hunger worsens in crowded areas. A comfortable space with iPads, books, and magazines can be provided for Muslim students to keep them busy, even if they're not fasting. You may want to consider a space that will allow students to pray.
Stamina and Sleepy Students: Please remember students should not be penalized for being sleepy throughout the day. Taraweeh is a special prayer that Muslims pray during Ramadan after they break their fast; some students will attend special prayers until late hours in the night (11:00 pm). Qiyam is also an optional practice of spending the night in worship until the early hours of the morning prayer, before sunrise (about 5:40 am).
Recess and Physical Education: Teachers can accommodate practicing students by assigning tasks that don't require strenuous work during fasting but avoid assigning rigorous physical tasks or penalizing students for non-compliance.
Empathy: Empathy involves understanding the feelings of others, especially when planning school activities or events that may affect practicing Muslim students, such as breaking their fast during Iftar.
Here are some of my personal observations from my time working/living in the Middle East:
How Teachers Can Support Students During Ramadan
Teaching About Ramadan and Eid
For schools, it’s important to provide an environment for students where they feel safe to practice their religion, and one that ensures their well-being during the school day. Please consider the guidance below and share the attached infographic with your staff to support our colleagues & students during this month of introspection and fasting.
Greetings: "Ramadan Kareem" and "Ramadan Mubarak" are Arabic phrases that mean "have a blessed or generous Ramadan." (Source: time.com)
Space: During lunchtime, fasting can be challenging for Muslim students, as hunger worsens in crowded areas. A comfortable space with iPads, books, and magazines can be provided for Muslim students to keep them busy, even if they're not fasting. You may want to consider a space that will allow students to pray.
Stamina and Sleepy Students: Please remember students should not be penalized for being sleepy throughout the day. Taraweeh is a special prayer that Muslims pray during Ramadan after they break their fast; some students will attend special prayers until late hours in the night (11:00 pm). Qiyam is also an optional practice of spending the night in worship until the early hours of the morning prayer, before sunrise (about 5:40 am).
Recess and Physical Education: Teachers can accommodate practicing students by assigning tasks that don't require strenuous work during fasting but avoid assigning rigorous physical tasks or penalizing students for non-compliance.
Empathy: Empathy involves understanding the feelings of others, especially when planning school activities or events that may affect practicing Muslim students, such as breaking their fast during Iftar.
Here are some of my personal observations from my time working/living in the Middle East:
- The first few days are the most challenging as the body adjusts to late nights, no caffeine and fasting throughout the day.
- Our colleagues appreciate when we acknowledge their observance without singling them out. (see greetings above).
- Refrain from asking our students to teach you or their classmates about Ramadan. Research shows that kids do not wish to be instructors. As an alternative- consider asking some of your parents who might be eager to share Ramadan with your classes.
Additional Resources
What Teachers Need to Know About RamadanHow Teachers Can Support Students During Ramadan
Teaching About Ramadan and Eid
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February Acceleration Academy
More than 400 students in kindergarten through eighth grade participated in a four-day Acceleration Academy during the February Vacation. Forty-six (46) teachers delivered small-group support and instruction on grade-level topics in literacy and math. The Academy was funded through our Title I program, which continues to expand in scope and ambition.
Our teachers planned and facilitated engaging lessons that were aligned to Common Core standards. They led activities that enabled students to develop team building, informed decision making, and communication skills. Students read texts that reflected characters and subjects from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures relevant to the content they are learning about in the classroom to build upon their background knowledge.
The EPS is looking forward to the Title I April Acceleration Academy!
Our teachers planned and facilitated engaging lessons that were aligned to Common Core standards. They led activities that enabled students to develop team building, informed decision making, and communication skills. Students read texts that reflected characters and subjects from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures relevant to the content they are learning about in the classroom to build upon their background knowledge.
The EPS is looking forward to the Title I April Acceleration Academy!
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Free Virtual Series
A Professional Development Series on Anti-Racism in Education
via Great Schools Partnership and CARE
A Professional Development Series on Anti-Racism in Education
via Great Schools Partnership and CARE
Session Dates and Times
All sessions run from 3:30 to 5 p.m. March 4th and 18th and April 1st, 15th, and 29th
Registration Deadline: February 28, 2025
This free virtual series offers New England school professionals the opportunity to: Engage in actionable strategies to implement anti-racist practices; build culturally responsive curricula that reflect diverse student identities; and develop social-emotional supports to sustain educators' well-being in challenging contexts. It is ideal for administrators, teachers, counselors, and support staff who are committed to anti-racist practices
Why Join?
- Network with a dedicated community of educators and leaders; participate in affinity spaces
- Contribute to a more inclusive, equitable education system for all students.
Additional Participant Takeaways
- Gain 10 “Contact Hours” of professional development
- Receive a $100 stipend upon completion of the full series
For more information, check out the series flyer.
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Coaching Cycles and PD Hours
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EPS Seeking Supervising Practitioners for Student Teachers
EPS Seeking Supervising Practitioners for Student Teachers
Interested in hosting a pre-practicum or practicum student in your classroom during the 2025-2026 school year? EPS is seeking enthusiastic, energetic and inspiring Supervising Practitioners to provide support and mentorship to undergrad and graduate level Student Teaching Interns next year. Supervising Practitioners play a critical role in our educator pipeline development. Professionally licensed Supervising Practitioners can earn PDPs and, in some cases, free graduate level course vouchers.
