Woodstock Woodchuck Family Times
November 2017
Be Amazing!!
We are thankful for the support of our families to ensure our students are showing the WOODSTOCK WAY everyday: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe. Ask your Woodchuck what the Woodstock Way looks like in the cafeteria, in the classroom, and on the bus. Our students love earning CHUCK BUCKS for showing their respectful, responsible, and safe behaviors throughout the school day, too.
As a staff, we recognize the importance of building respectful and positive relationships. We continually look for ways to make connections with our students and teach them how to be respectful citizens. We also want to forge a partnership with our parents to ensure that our students are going to find success. Many of you were able to touch base with your child's teacher at a conference last week. Just as consistent communication and discipline works at home, it is important for home and school to have a unified message that we share with our children regarding behaviors as well as academic expectations. If you have not yet had an opportunity to connect with your child's teacher, I encourage you to do so before winter break.
We thank you, our Wonderful Woodchuck Families, for encouraging your student to be amazing each and every day!!
~Mrs. Hedrick
Upcoming November Events at Woodstock!!
November 13- November 17, 2017
Wednesday, November 15: Report Cards Issued
Journalism Club, 3:15 p.m.
Good News Club, 3:15 p.m.
PTA Board Meeting, 3:15 p.m
Thursday, November 16:
SCA CANNED FOOD DRIVE! Bring in CAN GOODS to WEAR A HAT! Which teacher will wear the Turkey Suit next Wednesday?? So far, Mr. McVey is in the lead!
SCA Meeting 3:15 p.m
Friday, November 17:
Citizen of the Month, 8:45 a.m., café
Bring in CAN GOODS to WEAR A HAT!
SCA Disney Day (Wear your Mickey Mouse ears, favorite Disney shirt)
Saturday, November 18:
Beach Girls Rock, Landstown High School, 5th- 8th grade girls
November 20- November 24, 2017
Monday, November 20:
1st Grade Gifted Screening starting in the morning for all first graders
SCA CANNED FOOD DRIVE! Bring in CAN GOODS to WEAR A HAT!
Tuesday, November 21: Last day for the SCA Canned Food Drive!
Wednesday, November 22:
Adjusted Dismissal Day: Grades 1-5 12:40
K-AM 10:40 & K-PM 12:40
Lunch times will be adjusted.
SCA Football Team Day (Wear your favorite football team jersey or shirt!)
Happy Thanksgiving: School Closed November 23 & November 24
November 27- December 1:
Monday, November 27
Book Fair Begins, 1:00 p.m., Learning Commons
Tuesday, November 28
Book Fair Family Night, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 29
Book Fair continues til 4pm each day
Journalism Club 3:15 p.m.
Good News Club 3:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 30
Book Fair continues til 4pm each day
Friday, December 1
Book Fair closes continues til 4pm each day
Monday, December 4: Last day for the BOOK FAIR (closes at noon)
SAVE THE DATE!!
VILLAGE INN SPIRIT NIGHT: THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7TH (Wear your PJs & See Santa!)
PTA/ APEX FUN RUN for STUDENTS: all day THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14 (Parent volunteers are needed!! Contact Jen Barker at woodstockvolunteers@gmail.com for more information)
Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade Chorus Performance: Tuesday, December 19
Adjusted Dismissal: Wednesday, December 20
Middle School Information Nights for 5th GRADE FAMILIES
For more information contact Carolyn Pulley, School Counselor
Destination Graduation
Destination Graduation is a website that will guide you in future planning of your student's educational career. Check out the link below to see all of the many opportunities available for students through Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Check out the LOST & FOUND items on the stage before December 20th
Standards Based Grading-- A message from Mrs. Hedrick
As we approach the end of the first grading period, I want to take this opportunity to give you some information about how your child is graded at our school and in our school division. This is our 5th year using a standards based approach to reporting student progress. The following information is provided to help you better understand how your child is assessed and help you better understand what the report card is telling you as the parent.
All students in grades K-5 receive a standards-based report card that includes proficiency scores rather than single letter-grades for student performance in subject areas. The report card shares specific feedback about a student’s progress toward the skills and understanding of each standard in a subject area. This is important because it better identifies where a student is excelling in a subject, as well as where he/she might need additional assistance.
Below are several frequently asked questions with responses, as well as a video about the general concept of standards based grading. I have also included a sample report card and links to VBSCHOOLS.COM where you can learn more about VBCPS's Compass to 2020 strategic framework and Core Values.
WHY DOES THE SCHOOL DIVISION USE STANDARDS-BASED GRADING REPORT CARDS AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL?
The division implemented a standards-based report card in 2013 to allow parents/legal guardians to receive more detailed information about their child's academic strengths and challenges and to better ensure consistent grading practices in all elementary schools.
HAS THIS APPROACH BEEN TESTED?
Standards-based grading is an emerging national trend that progressive school divisions across the country are embracing. VBCPS is in the third year of full implementation of standards-based grading and spent an additional two years field testing the report card. The standards-based report card was developed with input from parents and staff to better inform parents of students’ academic progress.
HOW WILL MY CHILD BE GRADED?
- · N: Novice - Needs improvement; not making expected progress toward proficiency
- · DP: Developing Proficiency - Beginning to grasp and apply key concepts, processes and skills
- · P: Proficient - Regularly grasps and applies key concepts, processes and skills with limited errors
- · AP: Advanced Proficient - Consistently demonstrates proficiency; grasps, applies and extends key concepts, process and skills
ARE THE PROFICIENCY SCORES STUDENTS EARN ON CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS THE SAME SCORES (AP, P, DP AND N) USED ON THE REPORT CARD?
Yes. Assignments given to all students use the same proficiency scores that appear on the report card. In addition, class assignments also contain descriptive feedback aligned to the specific objective being taught to communicate student progress.
HOW DOES THE STANDARD-BASED REPORT CARD FORMAT SHOW A STUDENT'S ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE?
The proficiency score assigned to each standard shows a parent how well his/her child is progressing in a specific skill of a subject area.
WHAT IS A "STANDARD" AND WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED ON EACH OF THE REPORT CARDS?
Report cards for each grade level include a variety of subject areas such as math, reading, science, social studies, music, art and health/physical education. Under each subject area is a breakdown of the "standards" or expectations for student learning and achievement tied to those subject areas. These standards are written in a parent-friendly format. Your student receives proficiency scores for each standard to indicate his/her progress in a subject area. For example, instead of receiving an overall score/grade for the subject area of math, a third grade student has proficiency scores that detail progress in addition, subtraction, multiplication, units of measure, plane and solid geometric shapes and the concepts of probability.
IS EACH STANDARD GIVEN A PROFICIENCY SCORE DURING EVERY GRADING PERIOD?
Students only receive proficiency scores for the standards taught and/or assessed during a grading period.