United South Central School District

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I hope the school year has gotten off to a positive and successful start for you and your children. It has been heartwarming to see our classrooms and hallways again filled with laughter and the excitement of learning. As I have visited classrooms and walked through the school, I have enjoyed hearing students share stories of their summer adventures, talk about their teachers, and discuss the new concepts they are exploring. Watching students and teachers interact, collaborate, and embrace our Rebel Rights Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe has been inspiring as they learn classroom and school routines.

As we begin this academic year, I sincerely thank our incredible USC community for your ongoing communication and engagement. Whether through conversations, meetings, or phone calls, your involvement underscores the importance of solid communication in supporting our students' success. When parents and teachers work together, it sends a powerful message to our children that we are united in our expectations and support. Please remember that our dedicated school staff is always here to partner with you. At USC, we remain fully committed to doing everything we can to ensure the success of each student. Together, we become a stronger, more effective team.

This year, the USC staff remains committed to fostering an environment that promotes high-level learning for every student. Our team is dedicated to delivering a top-tier education, continuously refining our practices, and exploring innovative ways to serve and educate each student better. We are genuinely excited about the opportunities this academic year brings and limitless possibilities.

Teachers continue to use our comprehensive curriculum to challenge students to think critically and creatively. This year, we will continue with Tier II intervention time through Math Masters and Rebel Readers, providing students with personalized instruction, support, and enrichment. This process involves collaboration among classroom teachers, Title I, ELL, Special Education staff, and our new interventionist to ensure all students receive the assistance they need.

Additionally, students in grades K-6 will receive explicit phonics instruction (UFLI) tailored to their ability levels in classrooms and during Rebel Readers. Research shows that explicit phonics instruction enhances reading, spelling, and comprehension by helping students read more accurately and quickly, directly impacting their understanding of texts. It also equips students with the skills and knowledge to tackle more advanced reading tasks and promotes critical thinking by building efficient and automatic reading skills. We are excited about the opportunities this will provide for all our students.

We are also proud to announce that, for the third year, USC has been awarded the Mitch Perizo Leaders are Readers Grant. This grant has made a significant impact on literacy efforts at USC. We are incredibly grateful to the Hoffman family for selecting USC as a recipient. Last year, we used this grant to acquire decodable readers and a subscription to Raz Plus, encouraging students to practice phonics skills, sound out words systematically, and build a solid foundation for reading success. This year, the grant money was used to purchase a two-year license for Core5© and Power Up©. These online programs help students accelerate their literacy skills through guided practice and direct instruction in areas where students need more practice.

In closing, I want to thank everyone in the USC community for your continued support as we embark on the 2024-25 academic year. Our school’s achievements are a testament to your unwavering dedication. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure your child’s success. I wish you a wonderful and fulfilling fall season.