Intermediate Staff Newsletter
For the Week of April 16, 2018
Dear Staff,
This week was the start of Ohio State Testing as well. Things got off to a smooth start thanks to everyone chipping in to create a positive testing environment. Something we didn't anticipate was Thursday's lockdown. While this was definitely a learning opportunity, we were able to secure in place within a couple of minutes. There has been ongoing discussion and reflection regarding the event that took place and continuous improvement of our response. The bottom line is that we did a great job keeping students safe thanks to the quick response by all staff.
Looking ahead, this week brings four days of testing. As a reminder, testing is happening all over the building and goes beyond the 90-minute testing window for many of our students who have the extended time accommodation. Be sure to be aware where students may be testing outside of the time window and do your best to help students transition between classes quietly.
Thanks for all you do! Let's have a great week-
Katie, Kate and Barry
*Throughout the month of testing, we will include testing information (from last week's newsletter) at the bottom of our newsletters for quick and easy review.
Supporting our Students
News to Share
2. At Tuesday's staff meeting we shared the news that a 1-1 initiative will be presented for approval at April 23rd's Board Meeting. If you were not able to attend the meeting, you can click here to see the presentation. At the conclusion of the meeting, we showed a video about Apple Classroom. Unfortunately, we ran out of time to view the whole video. You can click here to be taken to the video if you'd like to watch it in its entirety.
3. We need your help during 4th and 5th grade dismissal. Several students have been observed saying goodbye to their teacher and then sprinting to their busses. With so many students boarding buses at the same time, we need help in slowing our students down and encouraging them to walk all the way to their bus doors. This same message is being communicated with the Primary staff. Hopefully, all of us will be able to help slow our students down and get them loaded on buses safely.
Thanks for your help.
4. If you take your students out for an extra recess, please be sure to keep them on the playground closest to the MS Cafeteria. The Primary uses the playground closest to their building and have recesses ongoing throughout the day. We know students may need an extra break after testing and appreciate your help in keeping our larger students on the Intermediate playground to keep all students safe.
5. There have been several questions about "test prep" procedures now that the testing window is open. If you have students who have been working in the Performance Coach books, they may continue to do that work. If you stop instruction to have students practice test questions on the OST practice tests, that is considered "test prep" and needs to stop for the remainder of the window. The best way to determine if something is "test prep" versus regular instruction would be to ask yourself if it has been in place prior to testing and if it's connected to what you are teaching or have taught. The exception to this would be if you have students on a practice test site to review testing tools and/or question types. Please note though, these have been reviewed for 4th and 5th graders in their technology classes.
6. We still need 8 more classes worth of letters for 6th grade testing. If you haven't had your class help, please consider taking some time to write our amazing 6th graders some encouraging letters to begin their testing next week.
7. You will likely get an email sometime this week about Roster Verification and Linkage for Value-Added. The Teacher window opens on April 18 and goes for several weeks into May. We will be reviewing linkage and roster verification procedures at our April 24th staff meeting.
8. We are excited to share that Kristen Messenheimer will be transitioning from 4th grade to our Intermediate Literacy Coach to lead our work implementing Lucy Calklins Writing Units of Study next year. She will be working closely with the Primary Literacy Coach Angelica Johnson to make sure our students have a consistent experience as they progress through the elementary grades. To learn more about Kristen's experiences prior to joining us this year, please revisit the new staff biographies shared at the beginning of the year by clicking here.
Week at a Glance
Announcements: R Wing- 6th Graders- See Pledge Schedule
Monday, April 16th- Culture Committee Meeting 8:30
Tuesday, April 17th- Specialist Meeting 8:30; MTSS meetings 8:30; 4th Grade OST-ELA Part 1-See schedule
Wednesday, April 18th- 5th and 6th Grade ELA Meetings; 4th Grade Team Meeting; Pre Alg. A Meeting 8:30; 4th Grade OST-ELA Part 2-See schedule
Thursday, April 19th- Science, Math 6, Math 5, Social Studies 6 Meetings 8:30; 5th Grade OST-Math Part 1-See schedule
Friday, April 20th- 5th Grade OST-Math Part 2-See schedule
OST Reminders (Repeat from Last Week)
2. Please make sure that things are covered or taken off of the walls in your classroom if students can use something to help them on the test. When in doubt, take it down. Let us know if you have any questions.
3. Student teachers and extra adults in the room other than necessary staff need to leave the room during testing time. They could certainly help monitor hallways/common space areas and restrooms for noise level during testing.
4. All identified ELL students have extended time to complete their test
5. Testing tickets will be printed by homeroom classroom. Testing ticket's along with mints will be available the first day of testing in room 137. You will find an envelope with your name on it. Inside the envelope will be your testing tickets (by homeroom) and a bag of mints. This will be ready to go by 7:30 am on your first day of testing. It will be YOUR responsibility to keep your testing tickets until the final day of testing is completed. Teachers that are pulling students from a homeroom should plan to pick up their testing tickets from the students' homeroom teacher. If you lose a testing ticket or need them reprinted, please email Donna.
6. Review the Script and Test Administration Manual. The paper copy of the script will be delivered to your mailbox on Monday. If you are not a homeroom teacher, you can find additional copies by the copier in the office.
7. If you are giving the assessment, these two documents must be on file:
New Albany Testing Administrative Guidelines
New Albany Annual Notice*You likely turned them in prior to our first round of MAP testing.
8. An email will be sent to you the morning of your test. This will contain any last minute information as well as links to everything you will need.
9. Make sure you have our phone numbers in your phone. Text or call with any issues that arise. Katie 614-746-3888, Kate 419-308-8364 or the office 3000 (they will radio us).
10. If you need a refresher or haven't reset your password see below: Recommended Test Administrator Certification Course (Recommended for all new teachers and anyone who needs a refresher). As promised here is a direct link to reset your TIDE password. Simply click the bottom red line of text in the sign in box and reset your password. **** You must reset your password each year, and must do this prior to administering testing.
Testing Accomodations and Information (Repeat from last week)
Students that are on a 504 may have testing accommodations as well. It is the classroom teachers job to make sure that students receive the correct accommodation. While we've double checked our work, we could use your help by making sure your students on a 504 receive the correct accommodations for testing.
Students who are on an IEP may have testing accommodations as well. Their case manager's along with Jodie Faller and Amy Smith have determined how these students will be grouped.
Please also check the accommodations spreadsheet under the tab called Quillin ELL to look for ELL students who will be receiving small group testing and/or translator services.
It is very important that we ALL review documents regarding testing accommodations (including all 504's and IEP's ) just to make sure we have an appropriate plan prior to the first day of testing.
YOU CAN REVIEW ALL TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS AND SMALL GROUPS HERE. REMINDER...THIS IS A CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT AND SHOULD BE VIEWED/SHARED ACCORDINGLY.