Tomahawk News
March 2020
March News
As you are aware, the district has cancelled extra curricular events moving forward with the exclusion of athletics. Our elementary school will be impacted in a number of ways which we have outlined below. The situation will continue to be monitored as changes occur and we will provide updates as any new information becomes available. Your continued support of our school, students, and community is greatly appreciated as we navigate these uncharted waters.
Events that have been affected:
March 12th- PTSA Meeting- location changed
March 19th- McDonalds Night - rescheduled for May 13
March 20th- Grades 3-5 Spring Dance- postponed
March 20th- 1st Grade Play- Too Much Noise- postponed
March 31 - April 1- Kindergarten Registration and Screening- location changed to the bus garage
April 3rd- STEM Night- postponed
PBIS Assemblies- cancelled
Grade 4 & 5 chorus, band, and handbells rehearsals- cancelled
March and April Arts in Education programs to be rescheduled
School Store- closed
Book Bag Program- Wednesday book bag exchanges are on hold until further notice.
PBIS Assembly
For the month of March teachers will be looking to nominate students who demonstrate self control/safety within the classroom and school community.
Guest Appearance
Sean Morehouse
Robin Schumacher (not pictured)
Attendance
PTSA
March Update
Our Original Works fundraiser information and ordering forms will be sent home Monday, March 16th. Order forms are due back on Wednesday, March 25th.
NYS Testing
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the NYS assessments?
The 2020 testing dates are:
ELA:
Grades 3-5 March 25 & 26
Grade 3 Paper Based Testing
Grades 4 & 5 Computer Based Testing
Math:
Grades 3-5 April 22 & 23 (All Paper Based Testing)
What do the assessments measure?
The ELA assessments measure your child’s ability to read and write as they determine the overall meaning of text. The math assessments measure students’ understanding of math procedures, as well as their ability to demonstrate their conceptual understanding and ability to apply math.
Why is it important for my child to take these assessments?
Results from these assessments allow us to monitor student learning. They also help identify achievement gaps among different student populations. Without widespread participation in the assessments, it is more difficult for school and district leaders to identify gaps and provide the support and necessary resources.
How do the assessments benefit my child?
In addition to helping us improve the way we educate your child, the assessments also serve as useful practice in taking standardized assessments. Assessments are part of the learning cycle. As students move through each grade, they encounter more opportunities for standardized assessments, including the need to pass five Regents exams in order to graduate high school. Participating in these assessments now, may help your child gain confidence when taking future exams.
How long will it take my child to complete the assessments?
The assessments are untimed. Students are given as much time as they need to finish the assessment at their own pace. In ELA, the typical time for completion is about 80-90 minutes per day for each of the 2 days. For math, it is also about 80-90 minutes per day for 2 days. The assessments will be given at the beginning of the school day.
What if my child needs more time to complete the assessments?
A separate room is designated to transition students who need additional time to successfully complete the assessment if they exceed the upper time limit. The handful of students still working on the assessment, transition to the alternate assessment location. The assessment materials are collected and a proctor walks student(s) needing more time to the designated location. As long as students are working productively, they will have as much time as they need within the confines of the regular school day.
What if my child did well on his or her report card, but not as well on the assessments?
The annual assessments are one of several measures that are used to determine your child’s comprehension in ELA and math. Report card grades include multiple indicators of a student’s performance.
How can I help my child feel comfortable in taking the assessments?
The best thing you can do for your child is to make sure they get a good night’s sleep each night before the assessment. Students have been learning content and skills throughout the year and have been taking assessments online, which will make them more comfortable the day the assessment is given.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s classroom teacher or my office.
No More Germs- Share ways to stay healthy with your children
Kindergarten Registration and Screening
March 31 and April 1
Location for Registration and Screening- Corinth Bus Garage
Families should complete the registration checklist and come with all forms completed.
Corinth Free Library
- March is National Craft Month. We have craft kits out all month that you can make here or take home.
- The third week in March is American Chocolate Week—yum.
- Board Game Club is over, but you can play games or do puzzles anytime we are open.
- March 1st is Read Across America Day. Do you have a good book? We do.
- March 1—7 is Return the Borrowed Books Week—so if you have books to return to your library do it now!
- Monday March 30th, 7:00 pm—Science Monday. Come have fun with robots, Legos, and more!
Some great books for March:
Diana, Princess of the Amazons—Shannon Hale
Seeing Stars: A Complete Guide to the 88 Constellations—Sara Gillingham
Dog Man: Fetch 22—Dav Pilkey
Penny and her Sled—Kevin Henkes
The Gigantic Book of Graphic Novels for Minecrafters—Cara J. Stevens
What Riley Wore—Elana Arnold
CARE Closet
Corinth Clothes Zone order form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfuv_HB4cVFEtmocEeBjayehnzEwhMWSqQiW6qs4_iaL9HOUQ/viewform?usp=sf_link
Stay Connected
You can follow Dr. Stratton, Mrs. Young, and Mrs. Valente on Twitter as they share happenings within the school.
- @CorinthSuper
- @ReneeReneeyoung
- @JessicaLValente
Corinth Elementary School
356 Center Street
Corinth, NY 12822
518-654-2960