Updates from the West
News for March 11-15
ISAT Make-up Testing
7:30 - Play Based Assessment (Joos)
7:00 - Board of Education Meeting
Tuesday, March 12
2:15 - Tech Meeting (Rummel, Graber)
2:20 - Faculty Meeting (Postponed until after break)
2:20 - Relay Recess planning meeting in Library with Tanya (This is our April community service project.)
6:30 - PTO Meeting
Wednesday, March 13
Grades Due in Skyward
Problem Solving Meetings Cancelled (replaced with special education process)
Thursday, March 14
No Jessica Nesby
7:00 - SILT
Friday, March 15
Report Cards Online
IPA Student Recognition Luncheon (Rummel)
Saturday, March 16
Family Fun Night from 4-8; Huge thanks to all the teachers who volunteered to sell tickets and help with the Cake Walk.
Upcoming Dates
March 18 - Celebration Day - Game Time for Kids
March 18 - Picture Day
March 19 - Puberty Talks (Fifth Grade)
March 19-20 - Badminton Club (gr. 3-5)
March 20 - Life Safety Inspection
March 20 - CPR Refresher Class
March 20 - Problem Solving AR (Yarcho)
March 21 - 2nd Grade Field Trip
March 21 - School Supply Orders go home
march 25 - Spring Break
Teaching Channel
Huge thanks to Joyce for sharing this resource: www.teachingchannel.org
Study Island/IXL
Have you checked out your class Study Island and IXL reports?
PARCC Releases Assessment Information
http://www.parcconline.org/assessment-administration-guidance The website explains what the new assessments will look like and when the assessments will take place.
Staying in the Know...
Celebration Day - At the last SILT meeting we discussed having a "stress down day" or celebration day following ISAT testing. Our Celebration Day will be Monday, March 18th. We are celebrating our students and their outstanding performance on ISATs. PTO will provide a healthy snack for your class. We're asking that all classes allow the students a game time (1.5 hours). Students can either play games you have in the room or bring games from home. Please keep in mind this is picture day, so you may want to hold off on pjs or other incentives until later in the week. If you have questions, ask a SILT member.
PARCC Update - From Chris Koch
Today the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) is releasing two items to help us as we move forward in implementing the new learning standards and plan for the new assessments.
(I deleted this paragraph it pertains to the needed technology for implementation.)
In addition to the capacity planning tool, PARCC is releasing guidance about estimated time on task for testing. This is a test that many educators have been asking for, for a long time. It’s not simply filling in a bubble, but requires students to apply knowledge and a higher level of thinking. These assessments will require some additional time than what is currently required, however, each grade level will be assessed for writing in English Language Arts and extended explanation for calculations in math which is not occurring now and they will also be broken up to include separate sessions for performance-based and end-of-year assessments instead of one single window. Estimates for testing are as follows:
• Grade 3 – 8 hours
• Grades 4 and 5 – just more than 9 hours
• Grades 6,7 and 8 – a little less than 9.5 hours
• High School – a little less than 9.5 hours
There will be two four-week testing windows for test administration and the capacity planning tool will help determine how many days schools will need for testing. You can access the guidance and planning tools at www.isbe.net/assessment/parcc.htm or www.PARCConline.org.
(District Goal1, Student Achievement)
Life Safety Inspection - Our Life Safety Inspection will be March 20th. Please remove magnets and door stops prior to the inspection. You'll also need to remove everything hanging from the ceiling. Please be sure that your room is not cluttered, things are out of the hall, and items are not stacked to the ceiling. If you have questions, please let me know. (District Goal 3, Student Safety)
Calling in Sick?
Mr. Dale - ext. 6257 cell: 309-261-1486
Dr. Rummel - ext. 6010 cell: 309-846-2139 home: 309-963-4263
Email: nicole.rummel@olympia.org
Website: www.olympia.org
Location: Olympia West Elementary School
Phone: 209-392-2671