Hawk News
February 21, 2019
Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP)
Dear DMPS Families,
For several years Des Moines Public Schools, as well as schools across the state, have administered the Iowa Assessments to students in grades 3 through 11 to measure student progress and to gather data necessary to inform our school improvement efforts. This set of tests has undergone a significant renovation this year which our students will experience in the spring.
The most notable changes are the name of the tests and the delivery format. The new tests will be called the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) and they will be delivered online.
Taking the new statewide assessment online will be a new experience for our students. However, online testing is not new to the students of DMPS. As early as 2nd grade our students begin taking online assessments in Math and Reading through the Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) tests. DMPS students will begin the ISASP tests at various times between March 27 and April 26. Iowa Testing Programs and Pearson have provided resources for students to prepare for the upcoming assessments. The home page for the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress can be found at http://iowa.pearsonaccessnext.com. Clicking on the Test Preparation tab at the top of the webpage will take you to tutorials on how to maneuver in the system and to sample tests for each grade. You do not need a password or a user account to view any of these resources—they are available to anyone with internet access. Schools will work with students to help orient them to the new testing environment, but we invite you to look at these assessments with your student as additional support in their preparation for the ISASP.
As with any new endeavor there will be missteps along the way, however, we will strive to create a quality testing experience that maximizes the number of students assessed and minimizes the disruptions to the learning environment. We look forward to working with your family in this new endeavor.
Positive Behavior Day
Each classroom will be designing their own day of learning for Positive Behavior Day on Wednesday, February 21st. We will celebrate Positive Behavior Day on Wednesday, February 27th .
Classroom teachers will contact parents if they are in need of any specific supplies.
Please check-out this short video made by our students: https://youtu.be/4uEn-ebA0Yw
A Few Reminders
PTA News
There are a couple more Fridays for our First Grade Families to provide treats for teachers! Click this link to sign up or go to hanawaltcommunity.com!
Our Coins for Creativity collection is going great! We are almost at our goal. Classrooms in the lead are Miller, Esch, and Linebaugh. Over half the school has met their classroom goals and will take part in an ice cream social. Keep up the hunt for coins or donate online today at hanawaltcommunity.com!
Thank you to all of the parents who helped out or donated items for the classroom Friendship parties last week! It was a great day to celebrate!
Upcoming Dates
February
February 21st: Conferences 2:45 - 6:30
March
March 12th PTA
March 15th - 26th No School - Spring Break and PD
Hanawalt Elementary
Email: jolene.liebl@dmschools.org
Website: hanawalt.dmschools.org
Location: 225 56th Street, Des Moines, IA, USA
Phone: 515-242-8411