Telra Telegram - February 23, 2025
- sharilynstrain
- Feb 23
- 6 min read
Exciting new this week with updates on explore options, movie nights, math feats and more activities offered!
Girls On The Run (GOTR) begins the week of March 3rd
Helping Hands - Please sign up!
Parties & social events on the horizon - Culture Fair and Arts & Crafts Festival dates added!
A Note from the Principals
Group changes during the year
Each year, we receive numerous emails and phone calls from parents requesting meetings to discuss advancing their children into higher-level Math and English courses. One of the key factors that sets our school apart from traditional schools is our unique grading system. At Telra, students receive one grade per week in each class, ensuring that assessments accurately reflect their true performance. This approach minimizes grade inflation and provides parents and educators with a clear, reliable measure of student progress. Additionally, assessing students every week helps alleviate test anxiety by developing the confidence to overcome obstacles and embrace a growth mindset, learning to persist rather than give up.
In these weekly assessments, we expect students to perform within their Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) range, typically between 70% and 89%. If a student’s performance falls below 70% or exceeds 90%, they come to our attention for a potential placement review. If the following conditions are met, we move students to a higher placement.
In ELA
If a student maintains a score of 95% or above for six consecutive weeks, they may be moved to a higher-level ELA course. However, since there are ceilings on how high they can advance (and sometimes, space constraints) a higher course may not always be available.
In Math
If a student maintains a score of 95% or above for six consecutive weeks, they will be assigned an additional placement test. If they demonstrate readiness, they will be moved to the higher-level Math group (assuming space is available). If they do not pass the test, they will remain in their current placement.
In rare cases, we move a student to a lower placement. When making this adjustment, we consider the following conditions.
Students scoring between 60% and 69% are monitored closely.
If a student’s performance falls below 59% for six consecutive weeks, they will be moved to a lower-level ELA and/or Math group to better support their learning needs.
In all placement adjustments, our goal is to nurture a love of learning by providing students with the right level of challenge.
- Principals Ozer and Rearick
Telra Movie Night Series
Telra is excited to hold movie nights for our students!!!!! We are beginning the series this week with our 1st and 2nd graders:
1st Grade
Our event is on 2/28 at 4pm and we will be watching The Prince of Egypt! The students will stay after school and may bring the following:
A blanket or small pillow
A stuffy, or stuffed animal
Pickup is at the front of the school no later than 6pm. Popcorn will be provided, and students are asked to bring their own water bottles.
Please see more details about the night and RSVP Here for our 1st Grade Movie Night!
2nd Grade
Our event is on 2/28 at 6pm and we will be watching Hercules! The students may bring the following:
Wear Pajamas
A blanket or small pillow
A stuffy, or stuffed animal
Drop off for the event is in the Bus Parking Lot at 5:45pm and the pickup is at the front of the school no later than 8pm. Popcorn will be provided, and students are asked to bring their own water bottles.
Please see more details about the night and RSVP Here for our 2nd grade movie night!
Information on the movie nights for the other grades will follow in our next Telra Telegram!
3rd Trimester Explore Classes
On February 28, students in grades 4-9 will be completing a survey to share their preferences for 3rd trimester Explore classes. Below, you will find the survey link. Please note that the survey will not be accessible until Friday morning. We encourage you to review the survey with your child to discuss the available options. A detailed description of each club can be accessed through this link: 3rd Trimester Explore Options.
The new explore classes will not begin until Friday, March 21. Be aware, that we will take into account student preferences when assigning explore classes. However, we cannot guarantee that all students will get their first choice.
For any questions, feel free to contact Mr. Lamb at matthew.lamb@telra.org.
Thank you for your support!
Student Survey Link: https://forms.office.com/r/gyR6enggMq
Girls On The Run (GOTR)
Girls On The Run is happening this spring at Telra! GOTR offers programs designed to inspire girls of all abilities to recognize and embrace their inner strength and make meaningful connections with others. The program is for 3rd-5th grade girls and practices begin the week of March 3rd.
Click the link below for more information and to register:
Newspaper Club
Calling all budding journalists! Hone your writing skills while reporting on the latest news, events, and student perspectives at Telra. Join the school newspaper and become a voice for our school community! Open to all interested 7th, 8th, and 9th graders afterschool on Wednesdays.
Let us know if you are interested here: Newspaper Club Interest Form
Helping Hands - We Need Your Help!
Parents, we need your help! Please sign up to volunteer for "Helping Hands" - these helpers assist Telra staff by completing tasks left for them in the "Helping Hands" box in the teacher workroom. These tasks may include copying papers, cutting out items, organizing the Lost and Found area, or re-shelving books in the neighborhood libraries - these are just a few examples of how you can help! The Front Desk staff will assist you on where to go and what needs to be done. Please review the available slots in the link below and click on the button to sign up. Thank you for supporting our awesome staff!
Telra Night at the Charlotte Checkers 3/8/25
Come join us and support Telra at the Charlotte Checkers Spirit Night on 3/8/25! Details below.
All Pro Dads Meeting This Week!
The February date for the All Pro Dad meeting is this coming Friday, February 28, 2025 at 7am. We are a group of dads dedicated to strengthening our relationships with our kids and we would love for you to join us. Our team captain is Will Bishop. Come join us and RSVP here:
Coffee with Leadership
Please join us at 8:30am on Friday, 2/28/25 for a coffee with our Telra Leadership!
Telra Math trip to Charleston
Telra students had a great time at the College of Charleston Math Meet. 25 schools competed, and Telra took 1st place in the Team Level 1 written test, 2nd place in the Math relay, 1st place in the Probability sprint, 2nd place in the Computing competition, and several individual awards.
Upcoming social events
Remember to find all this on our Telra Events Calendar.
Tuesday, February 25 @6:30pm - St. Francis UMC Seminar on Managing Anxiety with Children and Youth
Friday, February 28 @ 7:00 am - All Pro Dads meeting
Friday, February 28 @ 8:30 am - Coffee with Leadership
Friday, February 28 @ 4:00pm - 1st grade movie night
Friday, February 28 @ 6:00pm - 2nd grade movie night; 5:45pm drop off in the bus lot
Friday, February 28 @ 7:00 am - All Pro Dads meeting
Friday, March 7 @ 4:00pm - Kindergarten movie night
Friday, March 7 @ 6:00pm - 3rd grade movie night
Friday, March 7 @ 6:00pm - 6th grade movie night
Saturday, March 8 @ 4:00pm - Telra Night at the Charlotte Checkers
Friday, March 21 - Spring Equinox Party for grades 6+
Friday, March 28 - Game Night for 4th & 5th grade
Tuesday, April 1 - Culture Fair, note date change
Thursday May 1 - Arts & Crafts Fair, 5-7pm
We'd love volunteers to help organize these events! Let us know by clicking below.