Black Cat Bulletin
Keeping it R.E.A.L! Respect + Effort + Attitude= Leadership
February 2018
From Our Principal...
The 14 Days of Giving campaign encourages every family to participate in 14 days of kindness, donations, and sharing. Each family is asked to find a way to share a form of kindness and send in the details so we can display them in our entrance hall. Students are encouraged to submit their donations along with their kindness reports each day, and families are asked to share their ideas on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using #blackcatsgiveback18 and #EVSC1. A drawing will be held each day to recognize those who have donated, who have performed acts of kindnesses, and/or who have shared using the hashtags.
We are also offering recognition to, and welcome donations from, businesses who may be interested in a variety of sponsorship levels. We would love to use gift cards, services, or other donations to give to our daily drawings to recognize the efforts of the children and their families, or monetary donations for our school. One incredible donation we've received from our local favorite scoop shoppe, Milk & Sugar, will allow us to recognize every child who raises the individual goal of $50.00. Every child who meets this goal will receive a free kiddie cone from Milk & Sugar. What an incredible community partner!
As you will see in the additional articles below, it is also the season of surveys and assessments. The My School Survey will be sent home on February 5. We would really love to hear how we're doing--both what you like, and what would make your life easier. Please complete the survey and return it to share your thoughts. We really do use your feedback to make things better for our children and for our families. For example, the 14 Days of Giving was created as an alternative to selling items which came from a comment on the My School Survey a few years ago. We continue our community events that have gotten good feedback like the yearly dances, our grandparents days, field day, and collaborative events with the PTA. Your voice matters. Please tell us what we do well, and let us know how we can do better!
ISTEP+ begins soon. Please see the article below to get the specific dates. If at all possible, please schedule appointments outside of our testing windows. Every child's score matters, and is another way to tell us how we're doing. Please make sure students come to school rested and ready to show us what they know!
We continue to be proud of the efforts of our children to implement our REAL principles: Respect, Effort, Attitude, and Leadership. Students' recognition with REAL Leader certificates is a special way to show our appreciation for their efforts. If your child has come home with a REAL Leader sticker, please help us honor their efforts.
Keepin' it REAL!
Katie White
principal
From Our Principal Intern and Counselor...
It is about that time of year again and ISTEP will be here at the end of this month! This is an exciting time for our students to show how much they have learned. They have worked hard and we have confidence that their hard work will be recognized. As you prepare your student(s) for the upcoming tests, here are some tips you can use before and after testing:
Before the Test
Be Prepared
Many teachers will send information home about testing schedules and class preparation plans. Information that you should know includes:
· What is the test and what will it measure?
· Will the test results affect your child, school, or both?
· Are there ways that you can help your child prepare for the test? (Narang, 2008).
Practice
If your child has struggled with a particular area or subject in the past, you may be able to help him or her overcome some of that difficulty by providing extra practice. Look for practice exercises and questions like the ones students see on the test. Focus your practice on areas your child needs improvement in (Narang, 2008).
If your child has trouble taking tests, try practicing test questions and studying new words. Your child's school or the library may have some samples to use. Keep the sessions short, and set small, manageable goals so that the extra practice boosts your child's confidence (Narang, 2008).
On Test Day
Get Plenty of Sleep and Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Many teachers report that students who don't do well on tests haven't gotten enough sleep and eaten breakfast on the morning of the test. Doing both of these things will ensure that your child is working at full capacity (Narang, 2008).
Be Prepared
Some schools may supply the tools your child needs for the test, such as pencils, an eraser, and paper. Others may require the students to bring those materials themselves. Check with your child's teacher to see if you need to provide your child with any of these materials (Narang, 2008).
Remain Positive
Staying calm will help your child stay calm. If he or she gets nervous about the test or is likely to experience anxiety during the test, help him or her practice some relaxation techniques that can be used while taking the test (Narang, 2008).
Adapted From: Colorin Colorado: http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/parent-tips-how-help-your-child-prepare-standardized-tests
References
Dietel, R. Helping Your Child Perform Well on Tests. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from http://www.pta.org/archive_article_details_1117835382718.html.
International Reading Association (IRA). (2002). Prepare your child for reading tests [Brochure]. Bachman, T.M.: Author.
Narang, S. (2008). Standardized tests: What you should know before your child sharpens his #2 pencil. Retrieved April 2, 2008, from http://content.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=1403.
Battle of the Westside Basketball Games
Games to be held this week
There will be concessions available for purchase.
Good luck to our boys and girls teams!
Schedule of games in bracket illustration, below.
Dance to be held on April 6
ISTEP+ and IREAD Testing Dates 2018
Assessment Dates
ISTEP+ (3-8 and 10) (http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/istep-grades-3-8)
The purpose of the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (ISTEP+) Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress Plus (ISTEP+) program is to measure student achievement in the subject areas of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science (Grades 4, 6 and 10), and Social Studies (Grades 5 and 7). In particular, ISTEP+ reports student achievement levels according to the Indiana Academic Standards that were adopted by the Indiana State Board of Education. The assessments are administered in two parts:
Part 1 consists of applied skills (open-ended) items, and Part 2 includes multiple-choice and technology-enhanced items. Both Part 1 and Part 2 are required components of the ISTEP+ program and are used to measure student mastery of the Indiana Academic Standards.
ISTEP+ Part 1 - Online and Paper/Pencil
Assessment Window Begins 2/26/2018
Assessment Window Ends 3/9/2018
ISTEP+ Part 2 - Online and Paper/Pencil
Assessment Window Begins 4/16/2018
Assessment Window Ends 5/4/2018
IREAD-3 (http://www.doe.in.gov/assessment/iread-3)
The purpose of the Indiana Reading Evaluation And Determination (IREAD-3) assessment is to measure foundational reading standards through grade three. Based on the Indiana Academic Standards, IREAD-3 is a summative assessment that was developed in accordance with House Enrolled Act 1367 (also known as Public Law 109 in 2010).
Assessment Window Begins 3/5/2018
Assessment Window Ends 3/9/2018
Substitutes Needed!!!
Click here for more information!
Teacher Subs:
Non-teach Subs:
Come join us!!
News You Can Use
EVSC Snow Day Makeup Schedule:
We will use a combination of scheduled makeup days and virtual makeup days for the five days missed for the winter storm.
- Snow Day 1 will be made up virtually...assignments made by January 30.
- Snow Day 2 will be made up virtually...assignments made by February 13.
- Snow Day 3 will be made up on Monday, February 19.
- Snow Day 4 will be made up virtually...assignments made by February 27.
- Snow Day 5 will be made up on Friday, April 20.
Kindergarten Enrollment
Kindergarten Round Up will be April , 2018 beginning at 6 pm. We ask that you have your packets completed and returned, if possible, before that night. Be sure to bring your child to this event--it's a chance for information for you, your child to spend some time with other children of similar age, and for you to tour the building.
We can't wait to meet our new little kittens!
Reitz Youth Lacrosse
Outdoor Recess unless it is below 32 degrees
Recycling News
Please remember that you can recycle aluminum cans here at West Terrace!! The aluminum recycle cage is parked in the east parking lot right next to the recycle dumpster. We ask that you put only cans in the cage. Every penny we earn from the cans comes right back to our school!
PAWS ON PARADE
PAWS ON PARADE CLUB (POP) hasn't had much change in the students count. Due to the weather the students haven't been outside much this past month to walk. I will give a total count with their update next month. Please encourage your child to join the club or continuing to walk. It has many great benefits for them, you, and the staff.
- For kids – its fun while building self-esteem, learning responsibility, mathematics, and record-keeping skills. They will also learn how to set goals, work to achieve them, and then evaluate their personal achievement. They are also rewarded for meeting goals.
- For parents – it’s getting their child physically fit = It will help develop fitness while building muscles, burn calories, reduce stress, and create good lifelong healthy habits.
- For playground supervisors – it channels kids’ energy
- For teachers – it gets kids ready to learn
- For principals – it aids in children’s educational development
Thank you for supporting your child in what they do and accomplish!
Tammy Jewell
Calendar Link--click below for calendar
Please remember to date your checks with the current year. Checks that are dated "2017" will be sent back home.
Baseball/Softball Sign Ups
JOIN THE WEST TERRACE PTA!
President: Co Chairs Jenny Fuquay and Sandi Davis
Vice-President of Events: Stephanie Yellig
Vice-President of Fundraising: Open
Secretary: Tera Babb
Treasurer: Co Chairs April Coughlin and April Weyer
PTA MEETING DATES:
Wednesday, November 29 @ 5:30pm
Wednesday, February 28 @ 5:30 pm
Wednesday, March 21 @ 5:30 pm
Wednesday, April 25 @ 5:30pm
Extended Care
We are in the process of printing 2017 Payment History Statements to assist you with the completion of your taxes. These are prepared on a “by request” only basis. If you are in need of this information, you may email your request to Barbara.Grant@evsck12.com.
If you are starting your Spring Cleaning a little early this year, please keep our program in mind before you throw your items away. If you have toys, games, dolls, etc. you no longer need, these can be donated to us and the contribution be written off on your taxes as a donation. Our children would truly appreciate any and all gently used items. We are always in need of crayons, markers and colored pencils. Thank you so much!
Happy February – Spring is just around the corner!
Barbara Grant
Extended Care CoordinatorCommunity Outreach
Jenna Hancock-Wargel Berkshire Hathaway Home Services (Click here for more information)
THIS YEAR'S STAFF
Please help us welcome the following staff members to our teams.
Here are the specific grade level assignments:
Kindergarten:
Wendy Brunson, rm 30
Lisa Gooch, rm 33
Angela Hayes, rm 34
Tara Kolb, rm 32
Christine Mattingly, rm 21
First Grade
Brooke Corressell, rm 3
Cindy Evans, rm 5
Kitten McClain, rm 6
Amanda Woods, rm 1
Second Grade
Vera Emmons, rm 9
Nicholas Iaccarino, rm 23
Trisha Kavanaugh, rm 15
Carie Kingery, rm 10
Amy Nau, rm 12
Third Grade
Robin Bass, rm 19/ Denise Strawn, rm 18
Courtney Rueger, rm 16/ Stephanie Scheu, rm 11
Fourth Grade
Shelly DeWeese, rm 22/ Nikki Paul, rm 17
Megan Murphy, rm 24/Lindsey Stine, rm 29
Fifth Grade
Renee Schefer, rm 27/Simone Nance, rm 25
Trish Toelle, rm 26/Cassie Curl, rm 28
Special Ed
LIfeskills:
Jennifer Bennett, rm 4
Sarah Walls, rm 2
Resource:
Renae Jackson, rm 14
Shelley Patton, rm 21
Elizabeth Ray, media center
Rotation
Peggy Davis, Gym
Susan Kemper, Art, rm 8
Nadine Risley, Technology
Anne Woodruff, Music, rm 7
Office
Katie White, Principal
Bethany Lynch, Principal Intern
April Coughlin, Counselor
Sheri Moore, Principal's Secretary
Nicole Smith, Secretary/Receptionist
Christine Hamilton, Nurse
Kim Sitzman, Media Aide