FDR High School is not only filled with opportunities and challenges that help students grow, but also a diverse set of assisting teams that ensure students receive the extra help they deserve. The new Literacy Team ensures just that! Some students may be unaware, so we asked one of the supervisors of the team to answer our questions. Ms. Joute, a wonderful Social Studies teacher, did us a favor and answered those inquiries.

Here is her response: 

What is the main goal of the new Literacy Team?

Being literate is a very important life skill. The goal of the Literacy Team is to help students develop skills grounded in literacy that will help them become stronger readers and writers.

What are the different roles and responsibilities within the Literacy Team?

The most simplistic answer to this question is that we are all teachers. Our role is to help our students develop the skills to become the very best version of themselves. Within this team, there is a collaborative spirit that allows for all members to have a voice, and see how strategies work best for students. Once we review and implement strategies in our classroom, we then facilitate these strategies to the larger school community.

What was the background motive for creating this team?

There has been an apparent need to help our students become stronger readers and writers. We want to help our students become lifelong writers and readers. Literacy is very important in life, and when mastered, it can lead to numerous opportunities. We want to ensure that all students who leave FDR are equipped with the necessary tools for success in their future endeavors.

How will the Literacy Team ensure that students are met with the help they need?

For starters, it is important that the students communicate with us as their teachers, so we can work together. Collaboration is definitely the key to helping ensure that we meet the needs of all of our students. We will be using past and current assessments, as a way to monitor progress which will ensure the support needed for all of our students.

What strategies will the team implement to improve school-wide literacy?

We will implement strategies embedded with skills that students can use not only in ELA classes but also in their other subjects. For example, a “Quick Write.” Teachers will be able to deliver information about content-specific topics that students will be able to engage with on a deeper level.

The students that are anxious about their literacy skills, will receive help that is necessary for their future fulfillment. Hence, this team thrives to foster open communication, empower literacy skills, and implement a variety of strategies to meet their goals. Thanks to the Literacy Team, and the FDR community, for all the support they provide to our students!