Principal's Message
The letter below is sent out annually by our Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Gabby Abrams. I thought it was important to reiterate it here so the Douglas community is clear about what MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) is and how it is used at Douglas.
What is MTSS?
MTSS is a way we organize teaching and support for every student in our K-6 schools. It helps us make sure each child gets what they need to succeed.
Teams of teachers and staff at each school regularly meet to check on students' academic progress and their social-emotional well-being. We use this information to plan how we can best support them.
The Three Tiers of Support MTSS provides support in three levels, or "Tiers," based on student needs.
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Tier 1 (Core): This is the support every student receives. It includes lessons for the whole class and small group activities during classroom learning time (like reading or math).
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Tier 2 (Core+More): This is for students who need a little extra help to understand a topic. They receive additional small group instruction, usually during a special "FLEX" block.
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Tier 3 (Core ++More): This is the most focused and personalized support for students who need it. It is provided one-on-one or in very small groups with specialized staff, often outside the regular classroom during the FLEX block. It's important to know that Tier 3 is not the same as special education. Students with or without a disability may receive this support
How We Use MTSS
In the first few weeks, teachers have been focused on building a strong classroom community. Soon, we will begin teaching core subjects and start our fall assessments.
Our teachers will use a variety of tools—including assessments, student work, and in-class observations—to understand how each student is learning. This information helps us plan classroom lessons and special activities during the FLEX block, which happens up to four times a week.
Throughout the year, student groups will change based on their needs, whether for extra practice, skill development, or enrichment. During small group time, students may work with different staff members, including their classroom teacher, reading or math specialists, or counselors.
If your child receives ongoing, intensive support from a specialist, we will contact you to discuss how we can partner together to help them. Our teams will continue to meet throughout the year to monitor your child's progress and adjust our approach as needed.
We will share more about your child’s progress, including assessment results, during our caregiver-teacher conferences.
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