West Lowndes Elementary School
News for March 2020
Mississippi Literacy Based Promotion Act
Being a good reader is critical for students to be successful in school. Mississippi’s Literacy-Based Promotion Act helps to ensure that students develop their reading skills from kindergarten through the 3rd grade so that they exit 3rd grade equipped for 4th-grade reading instruction.
In accordance with this law, all 3rd-grade students are required to take a test at the end of the school year to determine promotion to 4th grade. Starting in the 2018-19 school year, 3rd-grade students must score at level 3 or higher on the reading portion of the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program (MAAP) English Language Arts test to qualify for promotion to 4th grade, a higher benchmark than in previous years. Students have three opportunities to pass this test. If your child does not pass this test, you will be informed in writing that your child will not be promoted to 4th grade unless he/she qualifies for an exemption.
Cursive Writing Requirements
West Lowndes Elementary School will administer the Mississippi mandatory 4th Grade Cursive Writing Assessment on March 24, 2020.
Parents Can Assist with the Cursive Writing Requirements
- Discuss and provide communication regarding the purposes of cursive writing.
- Cursive writing should be encouraged and practiced at home. Parents and children can compare handwriting styles. Students and parents can work together to write advertisements or create signs in cursive for products, write letters to relatives and friends, or send letters to someone in the military.
- After proficiency in cursive writing is determined at 5th grade, students should have opportunities to choose to write in manuscript or cursive. After 6th grade, many students may be allowed to choose the type of handwriting that is best for their strengths. Of course, computer keyboarding is a skill that is needed and students should have time to learn and practice using the computer keyboarding skills throughout the grade levels. These are all important writing tools that can enable students to read and comprehend a variety of communications.
Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports
Title I Supported Programs at Our School
In-School Tutorial
This is a program that allows students to experience instructional support from a qualified certified teacher that is geared towards their individual needs. It gives students the opportunity to ask questions and practice skills similar to the requirements of the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) standards.
After-School Program
The newly induct program was created to provide instructional support on state-required standards. The students selected to attend this program were chosen according to their academic needs. Also, students get a chance to work on homework and receive assistance as needed.
Prekindergarten Program
A high-quality early childhood program provides an environment designed for children. This learning environment is characterized by supportive relationships and conversations that foster language development. The environment is strengthened by curriculum and materials that engage children in developmentally appropriate activities that address all domains of development (social/emotional, language, cognition, and general knowledge, physical well-being and motor development).
Parental and Family Engagement Support
We have a federally paid parent coordinator available to assist parents with supporting their child’s academic progress between home and school. The parent coordinator provides opportunities for parents to participate in workshops and activities that will greatly benefit the academic process. Also, the parent coordinator organizes and conducts planning meetings with parents and volunteering opportunities that will help influence academic success. For more information, please contact Ms. Churna Miller, Parent Coordinator.
https://4.files.edl.io/645d/02/05/20/200439-ff526c8c-c64c-4c84-bbae-39c2ff7e9ed2.pdf
Parental and Family Engagement
Staying Well During the Cold and Flu Season
As we know, the cold and flu season is here! Please demonstrate and encourage your children to use these steps when washing their hands:
Encourage Reading!
School Planner or Home Folder
Homework Folder
Check the homework folder daily to ensure your child is completing assignments. Please help your child with homework if necessary.
Special Event: Parent Night
Tuesday, Mar 24, 2020, 05:30 PM
West Lowndes Elementary School, Gilmer-Wilburn Road, Columbus, MS 39701, USA
RSVPs are enabled for this event.
West Lowndes Elementary School
Website: https://wles.lowndes.k12.ms.us/
Location: 1000 Gilmer-Wilburn Road, Columbus, MS, USA
Phone: 662-244-5050
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