Snowdon Cougar News
October 2021
Message from the Principals
Fall is here, and with it comes the cooler air, the changing leaves, and the shorter days. It is a time when our students and staff settle into classroom routines, and the important work of teaching and learning is in full-swing. Students have been busy learning reading and writing strategies, and learning to be young scientists and mathematicians. At home, you might be busy with the fast-paced schedules of fall sports, evening homework, and curling up with your child to read a good book. Thank you for all you do to support your child’s learning both at school and at home!
Sincerely,
Shawna Fraser, Principal
Katie Scott, Assistant Principal
PRIDE Stride
October PACE Character Trait
Principal's Chair
Important Dates
* November 10- PTO meeting 6:30 @Snowdon
* November 11- No School- Veteran's Day
* November 22-23- No School- Conferences
* November 24-26- No School- Thanksgiving
Halloween
4th-5th Grade Washington Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA)
Dear Family/Guardian :
This fall students in grades 4–8 will take the Smarter Balanced or Washington Access to Instruction and Measurement (WA-AIM) tests in math and English language arts. Students in grade 6 will also take the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) or the WA-AIM science test. These tests are a brief check-in on student learning from school year 2020-21.
Students had limited in-person time in the classroom and likely experienced fewer opportunities to learn last school year. Last spring’s Smarter Balanced and WCAS testing were postponed to fall as we prioritized critical in-person instruction time for the benefit of students, families, and district staff. The WA-AIM spring 2021 window was extended into fall to allow flexibility for teachers and students, based on student need.
Smarter Balanced and WCAS tests were shortened this fall to ensure that students and teachers would have as much time as possible at the start of school year 2021–22 to establish relationships, routines, and activities.
The results from the Smarter Balanced and WA-AIM math and/or English language arts tests provide a picture of whether students across the state are on track to be ready for career or college.
Knowing your student’s achievement level (1 through 4) will provide an important piece of information. As the school year progresses, your student’s teacher will be able to provide more information about your student’s skills in ELA, math, and science. Our school will have access to the Smarter Balanced and WCAS test scores a few days after students complete the tests. WA-AIM scores will be available in late January.
Our school is scheduled to take the ELA test on October 19th and the math test on October 26th.
For more information about the tests, visit: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/testing/state-testing-overview, and click on the name of the test.
To try out an online Smarter Balanced practice test or WCAS training test, visit: https://wa.portal.cambiumast.com/.
For more information about the WA-AIM tests, visit: https://www.k12.wa.us/student-success/testing/state-testing-overview/assessment-students-cognitive-disabilities-wa-aim.
Please call or email Katie Scott if you have questions about state testing.
Thank you for continuing to work with us to make sure your student is successful. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to better support your them. We want your student to leave us with a solid foundation of skills and a future full of opportunities.
Sincerely,
Shawna Fraser
A few practical ways to help prepare your child for testing
1. Promote a positive attitude.
Parents should promote a positive attitude towards learning and testing. Kids need to take tests seriously and be strategic, but also feel confident and mentally prepared. Parents can help children feel prepared for the test by encouraging children to visualize success on test day. In other words, ask children to close their eyes and imagine themselves taking the test and feeling great about it.
2. Discuss what to do if you finish early.
Sometimes kids finish the test early. It’s important to discuss that this is a good opportunity to double check and verify their answers for accuracy. Parents can coach them to review certain questions that were hard and use the process of elimination to rule out some of the answer choices.
3. Eat well, exercise and rest.
In the weeks leading up to the test, it is important for students to have adequate sleep (eight hours is recommended), eat balanced meals, drink plenty of water, and get exercise. Foods high in protein, and water help to stimulate the brain. Exercise, such as stretching and walking, helps to supply the brain with oxygen. Eating a healthy breakfast before school, particularly on the day of the test, gives the body the fuel it needs to maintain long periods of concentration.
4. Plan enjoyable and relaxing activities.
Trying to squeeze a little more preparation in immediately before the test is not advised because it can lead to feeling overwhelmed. Studying the day before or day of the test leads to increased anxiety and should be avoided. Instead, plan enjoyable activities to feel relaxed and ready.
Need More Information?
* District calendar
* School Board meetings
* Covid protocols
* and so much more!
Snowdon Elementary
Website: https://snow.cheneysd.org/
Location: 6323 South Holly Road, Cheney, WA, USA
Phone: (509) 559-4300