W.E.B. DuBois Academy

Lions DEN

September 8, 2025

Principal's Message

Dear DuBois Families,

We are excited to share important updates as we continue working together to support the success of every student at DuBois Academy.

🔎 Classroom Look Fors

In every classroom we look for:

  • High-quality instruction

  • Active student engagement

  • Clear learning targets

Teachers are focusing on deep thinking, student voice, and meaningful learning experiences.

✍ Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER)

Across subjects, students are building critical thinking by:

  • Making a Claim

  • Supporting with Evidence

  • Explaining with Reasoning

👥 Family-Teacher Conferences

Wednesday, September 24
Priority will be given to families of students who are:

  • At risk of failing

  • Below 90% attendance

  • With Level 3 or 4 behavior infractions

Other families may schedule Sept 12–19. (Form will be available on Sept. 12 and will close on Sept. 19.)

📊 DuBois Assessment Cycle

We follow this cycle monthly to ensure mastery:
Review → Assess → Reteach → Reassess → Celebrate
📅 Assessment Week: Last week of each month.

🎯 MAP & CERT Goal Setting: This Wednesday and Thursday

Students are setting reading, math, and readiness goals. Families can help by:

  • Reviewing goals together

  • Asking about progress

  • Encouraging practice at home

🏡 Enrichment at Home

  • Encourage daily reading (all students should check out a book by Sept 12)

  • Support reading, math fluency through IXL or CERT (all content areas for CERT)

  • Ask daily questions: What was your learning target? Where are you in the assessment cycle? What challenged you today?

📚 Reading Practice

Currently, 35% of students are proficient in reading—our goal is 50+%. Ask your student:

  • What book did you check out?

  • What’s happening in the story?

  • Which character do you connect with?

📏 HQIR & Standards-Based Grading

  • HQIR: Aligned to Kentucky Standards, ensuring rigor.

  • Standards-Based Grading: Reflects mastery, not averages. Scale:

    • 4 = Mastered | 3 = Approaching | 2 = Learning | 1 = Beginning

Athlete Eligibility: Students with a true “U” are ineligible. Coaches Farmer & Bowman are confirming accuracy, and families will be notified if their student is ineligible.

🌟 PBIS Incentives – Friday, Sept 26

Criteria:

  • 90%+ attendance

  • No Level 3/4 infractions

  • No more than 3 Level 1/2 infractions

Trips:

  • MS → Newburg Park

  • HS → Iroquois Park & Cardinal Town

Permission slips go home Sept 15, due Sept 22.

📌 Upcoming Events

  • Family Fun Day @ Robben Roost

  • Behavior Fun Day @ Newburg Park

  • Family-Teacher Conferences – Wed, 9/24

  • PBIS Field Trip – Fri, 9/26

  • Student Aid Camping Trip – Fri, 9/26

  • Assessment Week – Sept 22–25

  • Picture Day – Wed, 10/8

7th Grade Families: Check Out our Upcoming Events!! Family Fun Day @ Robben Roost, Behavior Fun Day @ Newburg Park, Family Teacher Conference Day, and more!!!

7th Grade Family Calendar 25-26

11th & 12th Grade Families: Save the date! March 30–April 2 → Civil Rights/Black History Tour in Alabama. Approximate cost: $450 (meals & personal spending not included). Details coming soon.

Thank you for your continued support. Together, we are shaping young men prepared to excel academically, socially, and as leaders.

With gratitude and partnership,

Sincerely,
Dr. Monica Hunter-Kirby
Principal

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