Wood River Families,
If you have not heard, a proposed law (LB 1050) is currently before the Nebraska Legislature. This law would require that 3rd graders who cannot read proficiently at grade level be retained and not move on to 4th grade. The motivation for this bill comes from recent results on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), where Nebraska’s 4th graders have not performed as well as hoped. This assessment is based on a sample of students, not all 4th graders, and many factors influence test results and comparisons between states.
Why focus on 3rd grade?
Third grade is a pivotal year—students shift from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.” When students struggle with reading beyond 4th grade, it can make all other subjects more challenging.
Currently, 78% of Wood River students are reading at or above grade level. Regardless of what happens with LB 1050, we know that strong reading skills are a key indicator of success in school and life.
At Wood River Rural Schools, we are proud of our outstanding elementary teachers' hard work, who use the science of reading in their classrooms. For students who need extra support, we utilize MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) interventions to help every child reach grade level.
This coming week is Read Across America Week; a great opportunity to celebrate reading both at school and at home. Parents are students’ first teachers, and your involvement makes a tremendous difference. Please take a few moments this week to read with your child or encourage them to read. These consistent moments can have a lifelong impact.
Reminders:
March 2nd: Varsity Spring Sports begin
March 3rd: High School college visits and career tours
Winter Break: No School March 9-13
Eagles Soaring High
Mrs. Mrkvicka and Mrs. Sharon Codner for sponsoring the spirit bus to Cross County on Thursday
Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Woody, Mr. Cantrell, and Mr. Pietrzak for representing our middle/high school at The Leader In Me Symposium in Dallas, where they presented about Wood River Rural Schools and accepted Lighthouse status
If you have any questions about your child’s reading abilities or anything else related to school, please feel free to reach out to me personally at tzessin@wrrsd.org.
I hope you have a wonderful week and a chance to read together!
Terry
Superintendent
