Mesa, Beartastic!!!!!!
February/March 2022
Principal's Message
Dear Mesa Families,
Over the last two months, we have had a number of activities, events, award ceremonies and other celebrations. We hope to capture a small piece of what has been taking place at Mesa in this newsletter.
This year schools will fully resume state testing after two years of some modifications due to COVID. Each year schools receive a School Performance Framework with an overall rating based on state test scores. These ratings are intended to hold districts and schools accountable for performance on the same single set of academic achievement and growth indicators and measures.
The last time this report was released Mesa Middle School was on a Performance Plan (this was for the 2019-2020 school year: the highest rating possible). To be identified as a Performance school the overall SPF needs to be at or above 53.0. Mesa's score was at 71.0. While we recognize there are various opinions and views regarding state testing, we thank everyone for their support around this rating.
We believe that Mesa is an amazing school and we look to create an environment where students feel safe and cared for, and as a result, can grow academically, socially, and emotionally. In addition, we have a supportive community where parents/guardians recognize the positive school experience their students receive at Mesa Middle School.
We will need everyone's help with our upcoming testing season as well. Please contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Tony Jackowski
Principal
State Assessment: The Why, The How, and The What
Why?
We can see how a child is performing relative to other students at Mesa Middle School, within the district, and state.
It prepares students for standardized assessments that they will take in high school, college (SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.) or other vocational programs.
We can make informed decisions and choices for our students. Test data is used by administration and staff to drive instruction/curriculum and professional development choices.
Test data may identify learning gaps that can be addressed.
Identification of districts and schools that have struggling students, so help can be provided.
There is a correlation of state test scores and property value.
How are the results used?
As part of a BODY of EVIDENCE, state assessments are used to:
drive instruction for a student,
identify targeted interventions,
place students in appropriate classes at the middle school level as well as high school,
identify gifted and talented students during the identification process, and
determine effectiveness in regards to instruction and determine whether Mesa’s instructional practices are effective.
What happens with the data?
CDE is committed to ensuring that data on individual students are secure. CDE does not report individual student data to the federal government; the department has strict policies and procedures in place to maintain data security. For more information on data privacy and security please go to: http://www.cde.state.co.us/dataprivacyandsecurity
The results of CMAS are the backbone of the state’s accountability system. The state uses CMAS data to populate the annual school and district performance frameworks which is the result in accreditation ratings for each school and district. If schools do poorly on the state exam there is an impact to the building.
Excerpts taken from this CDE link: http://www.cde.state.co.us/comm
Maria Haas, Mesa's Certified Apple Nominee
Claudia Johnson, Mesa's Classified Apple Nominee
My name is Claudia Johnson, I am Mesa's Cultural & Family Community Liaison for the DCSD and I work with all the schools located in Castle Rock. My home office is located at Mesa Middle school. I was born in Saltillo, Coahuila, Mexico, and moved to Colorado in 1999. I graduated from the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, Mexico (Autonomous University of Coahuila, Mexico) with a Human Resources degree and a minor in Psychology. I love spending time with my family, my husband and my two daughters, who are my world. I moved from Boulder County to Castle Rock last year, and I have had the opportunity to work in many different schools in Colorado. I am really excited about working in DCSD. I am looking forward to having a great school year and connecting with students, parents and the community.
Girl Powered Engine Build at Mesa Middle School
Students at Mesa had a chance to dissemble and rebuild an engine, Innovation and Design teacher, Jason Kasper worked with community partners to create a girl only event.
Because of a partnership with Christian Brothers Automotive in Castle Rock, Mesa Middle School girls had the opportunity to be guided through the process by master mechanics Eric Waterbury and Tori Ortiz.
Mesa Middle School is thankful for the partnership with Christian Brothers that has resulted in events for both our boys and girls.
Students on a field trip to Colorado School of Mines!!!!!
Former Mesa Student
Students of the Month!
January Students of the month-(RISK-TAKERS)
Atlas – Keira Lenz, Isidro Avila Flores
Polar – Lilly Lucas, Landon Villalta
Glacier- Megan Thorne, Ian Corcoran
Kodiak – Rhylan Wibbens, Holden Green
Grizzly – Lexi Cairy, Brandon Thomas
Sun - Aubrey Mitchem, Brady Noakes
Panda - Mya Anderson, Jensen EdwardsMr. Bretsch's Classes: Escape Game Pictures! It was a fun day!
Middle School Basketball Tournament
Polar Cell Models!
Thanking our Counselors and Mental Health Team for their Work!!!!
Thank you!!!!!
Celebrating the Olympics in Ms. West's Class!!!
Conferences at Mesa!!!!
A Bronco at Mesa, what? Thank you Dalton Risner.
Art is Fun with Ms. Pizzano and Ms. Tschumper!!!
Building Catapults with Ms. Hilton!!!
Ms.Hilton’s science classroom during the Birdman experiment.
8th Grade Families:
Thank you!
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES:
3/9/22- Mesa SAC Meeting - 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm (Mesa Library)
3/10/22-Mesa MS PTO Meeting 6:00 pm Location TBD
3/14- 3/18- NO SCHOOL - Spring Break
3/29 - 6th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA & Math
3/30 - 6th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA & Math
3/31-6th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA & Math
4/1 - End of Second 6 Week Grading Period for 2nd Semester
4/1- Musical Performance @ 6:00 pm
4/2 - Musical Performance @ 2:00 pm and 6:00pm
4/5/22- 7th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA & Math
4/6/22-7th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA & Math
4/7/22-7th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA & Math
4/12/22- 8th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA, Math & Science
4/13/22- 8th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA, Math & Science
4/14/22- 8th Grade CMAS Testing - ELA, Math & Science
4/14/22- Mesa MS PTO Meeting 6:00 pm Location TBD