CMAS Reports Coming Home: Next Friday, students in 4th through 8th grade who attended Excel Academy last year will bring their CMAS score reports home. CMAS stands for Colorado Measures of Academic Success, and it's our state's annual standardized test to see how students in 3rd grade and older perform in demonstrating knowledge and skill related to the Colorado Academic Standards. All 3rd through 8th grade students complete assessments in English Language Arts and Math, and our 5th and 8th grade students also complete the Science assessment.

Preliminary School Performance Rating: Each year, Colorado public schools and districts receive performance ratings to let them and their communities know how well they are doing. These reports are called the District Performance Frameworks (DPFs) and School Performance Frameworks (SPFs). The overall ratings assigned are based on achievement and growth on state assessments, along with such postsecondary measures as graduation rates, drop-out rates, college entrance exams and college matriculation rates. The ratings help the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and State Board of Education (SBE) make decisions about how to help struggling schools. I'm proud to share that Excel Academy increased our overall points earned by 2.8%. Our school once again received the highest accreditation rating of Performance, meeting state expectations for Academic Growth, and exceeding state expectations for Academic Achievement. You can read more about School Performance Frameworks on the Colorado Department of Education website here.

How we use assessments at Excel: Assessments provide important data about individual students, grade levels, and our school as a whole. Different assessments provide different types of data, and together with student class work, observation of work habits and study skills, as well as social-emotional competency, we are able to see a more complete picture of a student's development over time as well as make appropriate instructional decisions. In addition, CMAS data provides important insight into how well we as a school are doing in assuring students receive instruction and experiences related to the state standards, how well our curriculum supports this, and whether our students are growing at or above expected rates. For students, learning how to take assessments, learning test-taking strategies, and practicing showing what they know helps prepare them for assessments beyond school, such as those for receiving a driver's license. For more information about the assessments we administer as part of Jeffco Public Schools, please visit the district site related to assessments.

Data related to school culture: In addition to academic data, we seek input related to school culture through surveys provided to students, guardians, and staff. These data sets are analyzed in aggregate by our School Accountability Committee, which then provides recommendations for action steps for school improvement to the Board of Directors and school administration. Because we place high value on data gathered and insights gleaned from assessments and surveys, it's vital that all eligible members participate. The higher the number of respondents to surveys, the more representative of the whole the data reflects.

Can I see all of Excel's data in one place? Yes! Jeffco makes all assessment and culture data available through the School Insights website. The landing page shows the overall district data. To see Excel's information, look for the grey box at the top left of the screen that says "Step 1: Select School" and look for "Excel Acad. Charter" in the drop-down menu. The site provides three years' worth of data in order to show trends over time.

While I know looking at oodles of data sets isn't everyone's cup of tea, it's a key way that our staff and board gain insight into how our students and our school are doing. Grounding instructional, curricular, and operational decisions in evidence contributes to assuring our students and school continue to grow and enrich the academic, social, and emotional experiences of every student.

In Partnership,
Kresta Vuolo

Executive Director

The Social Skills Improvement System™ Social-Emotional Learning Edition Screening (SSIS-SEL): Later month we will be using the SSIS-SEL to screen students' social and emotional competencies. Current research indicates a direct connection between students’ emotional well-being and their academic performance. The SSIS-SEL is a strength-based tool for screening and progress monitoring social and emotional competence. Students do not "take" the SSIS-SEL, rather teachers score each student in the following areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, responsible decision making and motivation to learn.

How will the data be used? The screener and scoring information for individual students will remain at EHS and all information will be kept confidential. The information acquired through the screener will guide our development of school-wide, small group, and/or individual social-emotional interventions. You will be notified if your child is invited to join a small group or individual intervention.

Need more information? Please find more details here. We would be happy to provide a copy of the screener to you.

Prefer your child not be screened? Please send an email to Tori.Rasmussen@jeffco.k12.co.us no later than Noon on Thursday, September 21st with the following information: Student name, parent/guardian name/phone number/email address.

NOTE: You do not need to send an email if you are ok with your child being screened

Thank you for helping us support the social emotional needs of Excel Academy students.

Q: My child's birthday is coming up. May I come eat lunch with them?

Your child's birthday is a special day! If you would like to come and eat lunch with them, we ask you to please remember to notify the school attendance line in the morning so that our front office staff know to expect you, bring your ID to check in using the Raptor system, then depart at the conclusion of lunch allowing your child to return to their class for the remainder of their day.

Q: May I bring lunch for my child's close friends? What about a treat for them to share with classmates?

We have a school policy against students sharing food. Due to the high number of food allergies and sensitivities, we ask that children eat lunches provided through our hot lunch program or brought from home. As a school in pursuit of Healthy School designation, we ask that any "treats" shared with peers be non-food items, and that there be enough to share with the entire class. If you plan to do this, please inform your child's teacher via email ahead of time so that they can allocate 5 minutes at the end of the school day for your child to distribute to classmates.

Please print out this book order form and submit order and payment to the front office by Monday, September 25. We are so excited to welcome Jessica Kim!

Chipotle Excel FUNdraiser Night!

Wednesday, September 20th from 4 to 8pm.

Excel receives 20% of all digital and in-store fundraiser sales when you mention the fundraiser at checkout, or order online (or app) with the digital coupon code below!

Chipotle Address: 8797 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003-0907

CODE: 2KP79BA - use this code in the “Enter a Promo Code” section!

Twisted Penny starts on Monday! The students and staff are really excited about all the FUN and fundraising we get to do over the next two weeks. Help us reach our goal of raising $10,000 for our Field Studies and Specials department while helping your kiddo’s class win one of the awesome daily classroom prizes!

For those of you who haven’t experienced the fun, Twisted Penny is a PTO-lead fun classroom competition to raise funds for our Field Studies Program and Specials Departments.

Logistics: There are tables set up in the front lobby with coin bins for each homeroom teacher. Students are encouraged to put their change in the bins during the day. The competition really heats up at dismissal. Counts will be held every afternoon at 3:45 pm

· All paper money, checks and pennies are positive. You want these in your classroom bin. Get creative with how you "package" the checks and bills. Larger denominations can be hidden in smaller, checks can be wrapped in $1 bills, etc! Make it fun!

· Silver coins are negative points. You want to put these in other classroom bins. This is the part we refer to as the “Twist”.

The daily prizes are listed below and on boards in the front lobby. The PTO will work with teachers to schedule and facilitate the prizes during October and November.

The Middle School will not be competing with the lower grades!

Elementary Prizes: Week #1
M: Popsicles & Extra Recess
Tu: PJ’s for the Day & Breakfast Party

W: Board Games & Popcorn Party
Th: Park Playdate with Ms. Rothstein
F: No School

Elementary Prizes: Week #2
M: Popsicles & Extra Recess

Tu: PJ’s & Stuffed animal for the Day
W: Board Game & Popcorn Party
Th: Bubble Party with Ms Rothstein
F: WILD CARD (choose any from the list)

Middle School Prizes: Week #1
M: Breakfast Party
Tu: Tie-Dye Party
W: Popsicle & Extra Recess
Th: Outside Game with Coach Miller
F: No School

Middle School Prizes: Week #2
M: Breakfast Party
Tu: Tie-Dye Party
W: Popsicles & Extra Recess
Th: Capture the flag vs Coach Miller and Staff
F: WILD CARD (choose any from the list)

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Coin Counters are still needed every day. See open spaces in Track it Forward (preferred) https://www.trackitforward.com/ or email treasurer@excelpto.org

Click HERE for details.