PCM Newsletter
February 2020
Iowa School Performance Profile
The Iowa Department of Education released the 2020 Iowa School Performance Profile online report indicating how Iowa schools performed according to a new accountability system that meet the Every Student Succeeds Act requirements. The Every Student Succeeds Act has replaced the No Child Left Behind Act.
The Iowa School Performance Profile indicates how schools are performing on multiple accountability measures, such as student growth and graduation rate, and additional data that are required by law.
I am pleased to report that all four of our schools met the “comprehensive” designation. With that said, we do have three schools that have been designated as “targeted” for subgroups that did not meet the requirements. The table provided below depicts how each building in the district performed for the 2019 school year.
The administrative team, in collaboration with teachers, and the AEA will review the results, reflect on our professional practices and take steps to make continuous improvements. You may access the Iowa School Performance Profiles, by visiting www.iaschoolperformance.gov. Educators, parents and other stakeholders can use the information, to pinpoint areas for improvement, and to ask reflective questions about instructional practices in the classroom. There is a report for the school district as well as a report for each building.
Additional information from the Iowa Department of Education is provided. Please contact me or visit with your building principals if you have any questions about the information in the report.
ISPP Fact Sheet
ESSA Fact Sheet - pg 1
ESSA Fact Sheet - pg 2
Comprehensive School Climate Inventory
The PCM Community School District is asking all parents, students and school personnel to participate in a survey to assess school climate. PCM is administering the Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) to parents and students from February 18th through March 6th. Parents will be notified of the survey via Infinite Campus. Parents will receive a letter explaining the survey and a form to complete if they wish to not have their child/children complete the survey. The survey can be taken online via a unique survey link.
Those parents who have not received this information by Thursday, February 13, 2020, are encouraged to contact their child’s building principal. The survey links will be made available to parents on Monday, February 17, 2020. If you have children in multiple buildings, please take the survey for each school child. Building principals will be working collaboratively with teachers in setting up times for when the students will be taking the survey.
The Comprehensive School Climate Inventory (CSCI) measures school climate in two important ways. First, it evaluates virtually all of the dimensions that scholars and researchers believe impact and shape school climate. Second, it is a 360-degree measure that recognizes the perspective of students, their parents/guardians, and school personnel. The CSCI will take students and adults only 15 to 20 minutes to complete and it evaluates four major dimensions of school climate: safety, teaching and learning, relationships, and environment. The CSCI findings will be utilized by each school and the school district to build community, promote student participation, develop school-home-community partnerships, and inform the ongoing development of a collaborative plan for school improvement.
The CSCI uses input from all constituencies in the community – educators, administrators, staff, students, and parents. The survey questions are clear, precise, and easy to understand. The recommendations that are a part of each school’s final report are built on research and best practices.
The (CSCI) is a research-based needs assessment that will help the District measure and improve school climate, which includes the safety of our schools, the quality of teaching and learning, the quality of the physical environment, and the quality of the relationships within our school community. The information gained by conducting this school climate survey will allow the District to build on existing strengths and to foster positive student achievement.
Studies have shown this work matters. Improving skills such as solving problems, working out conflict and working with other people in a group has led to double-digit increases on achievement test scores, improved classroom behavior, and improved attitudes.
Built on research with thousands of K-12 students, parent/guardians, and school staff, as well as the advice of educators and child development experts, the CSCI is a research-based assessment tool developed in accordance with best practice standards in testing and measurement.
The PCM Community School District will utilize the results of the surveys to develop action plans to address areas in which we need to improve upon, while enhancing the items that we are doing well. Please take the time to complete the survey!
PCM Mental Health Awareness Night
Who: All community members and students in grades 6-12 are invited to attend
What: Special guest Cara Lobaito with Healing Rock Counseling in Altoona will discuss anxiety in adolescents & teens and how we can help
Community resources will also be available to browse before and after presentation
Where: PCM Middle School Auditorium & Commons
When: Thursday, March 12th 6:00-7:30 PM
Refreshments and childcare will be provided.
Let’s talk about mental health.
Conversation and Coffee
https://administratorconnection.blogspot.com/2020/01/share-this-networking-and-support.html
BE KIND
Weather closings and delays
Here is a reminder on how school closings/delays will be sent out.
Emergency Closings/Inclement Weather/Other Interruptions
When the superintendent decides the weather or other event threatens the safety of students and employees, he/she, and/or his/her designee, will contact the following sources to broadcast a school closing announcement:
PCM School Alerts – Text Message/Email
WHO-TV (13)
KCCI (8)
WOI-TV (5)
KCOB (95.9 FM)
District Website and/or Social Media accounts
**If you have not signed up for school alerts, please do so at the link below.
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/IAEDU5160/subscriber/new?qsp=CODE_RED
Please keep in mind if your student drives from Prairie City to Monroe and you do not feel comfortable with them driving, they are always welcome to park at the Middle School and ride the shuttle bus to the high school.
Dates to Remember
Remember all Monday's have a 90 minute late start.
Feb 5 - Athletic Boosters Meeting, 7pm High School Commons
Feb 10 - School Board Meeting, 7pm High School Library
Feb 18 - Parent Teacher Conferences - 1 hour early out
Feb 19 - Music Boosters Meeting, 6pm Middle School Music Room
Feb 20 - Parent Teacher Conferences -1 hour early out
Feb 21 - Teacher Comp Day - No School
For the most up-to-date information on all school activities click the link below for the school calendar.