DAVIS HILL COMMUNITY WEEKLY UPDATE
May 14, 2018
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY to all of our Davis Hill moms! Hopefully you are enjoying a wonderful weekend with your family/ friends.
Kindly,
Jay C. Norton, Principal
*Don't forget to read through the entire update... there are always more dates in the Upcoming Events Section. If any questions/ concerns- please don't hesitate to contact me/ the office.
Highlighted Events/ Information for the Week!
MCAS ASSESSMENT GRADES 3-5
This week, our 4th Graders (Math) and 5th Graders (Science, Technology and Engineering) will be taking MCAS on Tuesday, Wednesday (4th), Thursday and Friday (5th). The MCAS dates have been shared via the Weekly Update for some time and remain available via the following link (MCAS Schedule).
This year our students will be taking the MCAS on the computer. This is a change for our students as we have historically completed MCAS testing using paper/ pencil materials. As is true with any change, there will be some challenges associated with our transition to the computer based platform. We have worked hard with our students to prepare them for this change and feel confident that they are ready!
For more information on MCAS, please see the link from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Link: DESE Information on Student Testing
GENERAL NOTES ON MCAS ASSESSMENT:
It is understood that standardized testing can create anxiety for some students. The Massachusetts Statewide Parent Information and Resource Center has provided the following list of guidelines for parents to help prepare their child for the testing:
Make sure your child is well rested and eats breakfast.
See that your child arrives to school on time and is relaxed.
Encourage your child to do the best work possible and to have a positive attitude.
Dress comfortably!
Remind your child to read all test taking directions carefully and listen to the teacher’s directions.
Encourage your child to take his/her time and check work for accuracy.
To help reduce anxiety:
Talk about the test in a positive way.
Encourage best efforts rather than perfection.
Encourage your child to focus on his/her strengths, such as good memory.
Assure your child that the test is only one measure of academic performance.
Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person’s worth.
At Davis Hill, our message to students reinforces the following:
-Be confident and ‘relax’! It is an opportunity to ‘Show What You Know!’.
-You are prepared and ready!
-The MCAS does not define who you are as a student and/ or a person.
Our hope is that at the end of the MCAS assessment, Davis Hill students will feel a sense of pride in themselves that they have put forth their best effort and feel proud of themselves for meeting the challenge.
*Please note the following re: MCAS:
Students are not allowed to have electronic devices (cell phones/ SmartWatches) during assessment. If your child owns/ wears a SmartWatch to school, they will have to take it off during the assessment.
If you have any questions/ concerns regarding MCAS, please contact your child’s classroom teacher and/ or administration.
MCAS SCHEDULE CHANGES
Provided our responsibilities in regard to the MCAS assessments, there will be some schedule changes (recess/ lunch and special changes) that will be taking place for some grade levels on the listed assessment days.
Memorial Day Concert Grades 3-5
Please see the links below for information on our 2018-2019 Fifth Grade Class Fundraiser.
Thank you for the support for our students!
REMINDERS-PARENT PICK-UP/ DROP-OFF/ WALKING LINES
I am resending below as a reminder about our requests for these areas.
Davis Hill is unique in that we have a large population of student walkers and a large number of parent drop-off/ pick-ups. Our parking lot is a very busy place both in the morning and in the afternoon during the transition to and from school. Please review the below reminders regarding student safety during arrival and dismissal.
A reminder that students should not be left unattended in the front of the building prior to 8:50am when staff takes position to open the building. I ask that parents who drop students off in cars are all using the parent drop-off area. In the morning, please do not circumvent the parent drop-off area by pulling up to the front of the building and dropping students off and pulling away. This is not fair to the other families who are waiting in line. If your child has a need that requires that they be dropped-off/ picked-up in a unique manner, please contact the office.
It is challenging for staff to manage the parent pick-up area and ensure child safety if there are other parents/ adults in the area. Please refrain from walking through the parent drop-off/ pick-up area during transition times (8:50-9:00).
Please drive slowly through our parking lot at all times. Younger children take a few minutes to get out of car seats or get buckled up. Sometimes new drivers are unsure of routines or need guidance; subsequently, we ask that you please be patient and follow the lead of the staff at the curb. Avoid pulling around cars/ cutting in line-unless directed by staff.
Please refrain from pulling around other cars. It is understood that different children/ families exit their vehicles at different speeds; however, we respectfully request that you wait for the car(s) ahead of you to be pulling away rather than drive around other cars. We did have cones in the parent pick-up/ drop-off area to deter this practice earlier in the year and we may have to consider reinstating this practice if there are further concerns reported to the office about cars pulling around other cars.
Please say your ‘goodbyes’ in the car or as kids are getting out. Children tend to walk where they are looking. If they are looking at you to wave and say goodbye, they are more likely to walk toward the curb and traffic.
Students should be properly seated and belted per law. I have included a link which outlines this information: http://www.dmv.org/ma-massachusetts/safety-laws.php#MA-Child-Car-Seat-Laws
Patience is the key in the drop-off/ pick-up area and when visiting Davis Hill at transition time. Thank you for your understanding and support in keeping everyone safe.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
*Information related to community fundraisers/ activities/ events for the Davis Hill Community. Inclusion in the update does not indicate an endorsement or affiliation with Davis Hill Elementary School.
May is Mental Health Month
Do you have a child entering grades 1-12 who is interested in painting, metalsmithing, ceramics or photography?
The Wachusett HS art department is hosting the Wachusett Summer Art Academy this summer the week of July 9-13! A variety of half day and full day opportunities are available. Course descriptions and mail-in registration is included in our program attached to this email.
Please take advantage of our online registration on our department page http://www.wrsd.net/wrhs/art.cfm . Clicking on the graphic will take you to an online form. The registration fee can be sent in separately by mail.
Sincerely,
Jim Ryan
Wachusett Summer Art Academy Director
WRHS Art Department
UPCOMING EVENTS
No School For Students- Town Voting
Monday, May 14, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- 4th Grade Math
Tuesday, May 15, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- 4th Grade Math
Wednesday, May 16, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- 5th Grade Science/ Technology and Engineering (STE)
Thursday, May 17, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Student Council Spirit Wear Day
Friday, May 18, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- 5th Grade STE
Friday, May 18, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Holden Town Meeting
Monday, May 21, 2018, 07:00 PM
Wachusett Regional High School, Main Street, Holden, MA, USA
Memorial Day Concert Grades 3-5
Wednesday, May 23, 2018, 10:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Dart for Dollars
Thursday, May 24, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Field Day T-Shirt Orders Due
Friday, May 25, 2018, 12:15 PM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Half-Day of School- Staff Professional Development Day (12:20 Dismissal)
Friday, May 25, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Memorial Day- No School
Monday, May 28, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Last Day of School (12:20 Dismissal for students)
Friday, Jun 22, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Davis Hill Elementary School
Email: jay_norton@wrsd.net
Website: http://www.wrsd.net/davishill/
Location: 80 Jamieson Road, Holden, MA 01520, United States
Phone: 508-829-1754
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisHillDragons/
Twitter: @DHPrincipal