Jaguar News
Volume 1, Issue 30 - April 6, 2018
MAP testing is fast approaching - our testing window of April 17- May 3 - , and we want to share with you some important information about test performance with some valuable tips. We will be sharing these tips with our students during advisory in the upcoming days, but it always helps if you support the same message at home.
HERE is the link to our Google Slides with the info we are sharing with the kids!
**Checklist: Test-Taking Strategies for Middle and High School Students**
By Margie Markarian
Aiming for your students to maximize their ability to perform well on standardized tests? Then don't underestimate the benefit of teaching test-taking skills and administering practice tests. Being familiar with the nuances of standardized test questions, formats, answer keys, and time constraints is almost as important as possessing content knowledge and critical thinking skills.
And despite the fact that most middle and high school students have had some experience with standardized tests, it's not enough to guarantee success. Be sure to review the following test-taking strategies with students as you prepare them for upcoming standardized tests.
Regarding Directions
Remind students to read and listen to all directions carefully so they understand what is expected of them. Be sure students are familiar with concepts and vocabulary that are traditionally included in directions.
Review the importance of budgeting time wisely. To gauge progress, guide them to divide the total number of test questions in half or by fourths. They should do the same with the number of minutes allotted for the test. At appropriate time intervals, they can check progress.
Train them to turn text booklet pages with care so they don't accidentally miss a page.
Tackling Multiple Choice Questions
Advise students to read all the answers and to answer any question to which they know the answer immediately.
If they don't know the answer, explain how to eliminate wrong answers and to make educated guesses by using context clues and recognizing detractors.
Have them mark or star any question they skip so it will be easier to go back to the question later. Emphasize the importance of leaving the corresponding answer space blank. Point out that making mistakes filling in ovals on the answer key or test booklet will have a negative impact on scores.
Dealing with Reading Passages
Discuss the merits of reading all the questions associated with a passage before actually reading the passage. Point out that doing so usually helps test-takers hone in on relevant points.
Encourage students to highlight or underline key words, phrases, ideas and to go back to the text to find evidence or clues to support the answers.
Remind them to utilize text features — captions, graphs, charts, and illustrations enhance the text and present relevant details.
Approaching Essay Questions
Train students to use graphic organizers, webs, outlines, and/or bulleted lists to help them organize information.
Remind them they can use the margins of the test booklet to jot down ideas.
Advise them to read the question carefully so they are sure to target the response appropriately. The topic sentence should restate the question in some way.
Taking Account of Math Questions
Stress the importance of showing their work and writing legibly. Even if a math answer is wrong, students may receive partial credit if their work can be read and evaluated.
Have them check for careless errors such as forgetting to use labels, misplacing decimal points, or adding incorrectly.
Remind them that questions may have more than one part and to answer all of them.
Wrapping Up
Advise test-takers to go back and check their answers if time allows.
Have them check the answer key periodically to make sure answers line up with questions.
Early Release Reminder
School will dismiss at 12:05 pm on Wednesday, April 11th due to a staff planning and collaboration day.
After School Clubs and Athletic Practices: Parent Pick-Up
After school clubs end promptly at 4:00 pm and our track and field practices end at 5:00 pm. Gentry teacher sponsors and coaches are required to supervise students until all of their students have either boarded the activity bus or been picked up by a parent. We need your help in being PROMPT at pick up time. In some cases, our faculty members have waited up to an hour after their club or team has dismissed, waiting for a handful of parents to pick up their students. Our teachers and coaches, like everyone, have very busy schedules and also need to get home to their families. PLEASE be courteous and arrive promptly to pick up your student!
From the Nurse - Reminder
If you have an incoming 8th grader for fall 2018, it is required that the health office has documentation of their Tdap and meningitis vaccines. If they have not had these immunizations, they will need to get them prior to summer school or fall schedule pickup.
Please see the attached flier.
Media Center Minute
Did You Know…
- We help an average of 65 students per week with iPad issues.
- We see an average of 475 students per week coming from classrooms on passes.
- All students visit the Media Center weekly (41 classes) so we can promote reading and literacy.
- We have 50+ students that use the Media Center every morning before school for morning study hall.
- We are open after school until 3:00 for student use.
- The Media Center houses the main printer for students to print papers.
- In addition to supporting each student iPad, we support 3 computer labs, 4 laptop carts and the materials in the media center.
The Media Center is a happening spot! We are so honored to be able to work with Gentry students on literacy and technology skills each and every day. Our students are inquisitive and thoughtful and ready to learn.
PTSA Notes
- Are you looking to be more involved in your child's school? We have the perfect opportunity for you. Gentry PTSA is looking for a few parents to serve on a variety of committees, and we are also in need of a few officers. If you want your voice to be heard and want to take part in helping us continue to support our students, faculty, and overall school community, please email Mandy Llewellyn, (mandyllew@aol.com). There are several options available.
- Our 8th grade planning committee needs more volunteers. We are trying to coordinate our end of the year activities and the more parents we have input from, the smoother everything will go. Our next planning meeting will be Wednesday, April 11th. For everyone's convenience we will actually have two different meeting times. Please join us for either time, if you are available to help us in anyway. The first meeting will take place in the main office conference room at 1pm and the other option will be that evening in the Media Center at 6pm. We hope to see lots of you there.
- Our next PTSA meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 1st in the Media Center at 6pm. We will be voting on next years' budget and making some decisions and plans for next school year. PTSA helps support all of our students and staff. It takes a lot of effort from a small group of people but much less time if we have more volunteers to help. We hope that you will try to join us! We'd love to have you!!!
Talk to your student about what they are learning at school!
- In sixth grade English all teams are working on analyzing poetry. You could ask your student to explain the meaning of figurative and to give examples of it.
- Math - What is the difference between an equation and an expression?
Thank you to Veterans United!
The GMS band department is incredibly grateful to Veterans United for its generous donation of $1,000 to help make the 8th grade band trip to Worlds of Fun in May possible. This trip is a music festival experience for 8th grade band students and their culminating band trip after three years of participation in the program. The trip would not be possible without VU’s generosity!
We've Got Spirit! How 'Bout You?
We will be hosting a Cheer Squad Informational Meeting on Monday, April 30th in the cafe for parents of incoming 7th/8th grade students who are interested in participating on the GMS cheer squad. Cheer squad tryouts will be held May 2-4 from 2:45-5:00 pm in the upstairs commons. Please see the attachments below for an application and further details.
Nominate a Teacher!!!
The deadline is April 15! So it's coming up!
They are planning to present scholarships to teachers at the end of May.
Rock Bridge Girls Basketball Camp
Please see the attached flyer for more details regarding the RBHS Girls Basketball Camp which will be held June 4-7 for students entering 6th-12th grade.
Rock Bridge Softball Informational Meeting
A parent/student information meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 24th at 6 pm in the RB cafeteria. They will discuss off season conditioning, their summer schedule and the Fall athletic season. All students hoping to play RB Softball in the Fall of 2018 should plan on attending! For further information, please contact the RB High School athletic office at 214-3100.
Rock Bridge Cheerleading Tryouts
Rock Bridge H.S. will be holding their cheer squad tryouts Monday, April 16th - Thursday, April 19th. For further details, please contact Coach Hayes and Coach Myers at rockbridgecheerleading@gmail.com or call the RBHS athletic department at 214-3100.
Youth Volunteer Corps - Youth Service Organization
Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) creates volunteer opportunities for youth ages 11-18 to address community needs and to inspire them for a lifetime commitment to service. This year, they are bringing their summer program to Columbia for 4 weeks – and their projects are ready for sign ups! http://www.yvccolumbia.org/sign-up-for-projects.html
The program director is Cassidy Urie, an employee at Jefferson Middle School. It is a great way to earn service hours in a structured and meaningful way, and it will be a lot of fun.
YVC believes that youth are not future members of society – they are current members. That’s why their program is designed specifically to get youth ages 11-18 involved in their communities early and inspire them for a lifetime commitment to service.
Dates to Remember
- April 11 - Early Release
- April 12-13 - 6A Science Camp
- April 17-18 - 6C Science Camp
- April 19 - Band Concert @ 6:00 pm
- April 20 - 7th grade Author presentation
- April 20 - IPR's sent home
- April 20 - Spring Percussion Showcase at RBHS
** 6B Science Camp is pending reschedule date
For practices and games check Gentry website!
Dr. Fairouz Bishara
Email: fbishara@cpsk12.org
Website: https://www.cpsk12.org/Domain/17
Phone: (573) 214-3240
Twitter: @FairouzBishara