East Hills Connections
School Year Edition: Issue 30: April 16, 2021
Together. Connected. Strong.
Hello Families,
There is plenty to say, but let's keep it to the top 3!
1. Report cards are coming home next week. Check out the amazing video featuring Mr. Goodge reminding all of us of HOW TO FINISH THE YEAR STRONG! See the link below!
2. This upcoming week also holds the deadline for opting out your child from the PSSA. Please see the recent message from Dr. Roy for more information to help you make the decision.
3. A great way for students to get involved is our upcoming MINITHON challenge. Homeroom competitions make it even more fun! Please see below and sign up your child to participate.
Together and connected, we will achieve great things, tackle obstacles, and celebrate achieving our goals!
Together. Connected. Strong.
Be well,
Dave Horvath, Regina Braun, and Pat Tannous
FINISH STRONG featuring Mr. Goodge
PREPARE with the expectation to win!
COME WATCH EAST HILLS' THEATRE'S MATILDA on the big screen at the Drive In!!
East Hills Theatre Company presents: MATILDA- May 5th and 6th!
Matilda The Musical will be shown on the big screen at Becky's Drive In on May 5th and May 6th at 8:15pm. Tickets are $25 per car and can be purchased in advance by filling out the ticket order form, attaching a check made out to EHTC (or cash in an envelope) and handing it in to Mrs. Remaly in room 135. If you have any questions, email kremaly@basdschools.org.
FAQs for PSSA and Keystone Testing
East Hill's PSSA Schedule (Mark your calendar)
Last Name (A-L) Dates/Times
Tuesday, May 25: 8:05 AM-3:05 PM (ELA Sections 1 and 2)
Thursday, May 27: 8:05 AM-11:30 AM (ELA Section 3)
Tuesday, June 1: 8:05 AM-3:05 PM (Math Sections 1 and 2)
Thursday, June 3 (GR 8 ONLY): 8:05 AM-3:05 PM (Science Sections 1 and 2)
Last Name (M-Z) Dates/Times
Wednesday, May 26: 8:05 AM-3:05 PM (ELA Sections 1 and 2)
Friday, May 28: 8:05 AM-11:30 AM (ELA Section 3)
Wednesday, June 2: 8:05 AM-3:05 PM (Math Sections 1 and 2)
Friday, June 3 (GR 8 ONLY): 8:05 AM-3:05 PM (Science Sections 1 and 2)
Message from Dr. Roy
Dear BASD Parents/Guardians,
Should I opt my child out of the PSSAs (or Keystones) this year?
This is a very common question right now. What's a parent to do?
I am attaching three Frequently Asked Questions documents (elementary, middle and high school) that were distributed by principals a few weeks ago. I encourage parents to read through these FAQs to assist with your decision. If you choose to opt out of testing, please notify your principal via email by April 30th.
Why is the question of whether or not to opt out my child such a big deal this year?
There is significant opposition from education professionals (including me) to administering federally mandated standardized testing during this pandemic year. Unfortunately, the federal Department of Education will not waive the mandated tests as was done last year.
The opposition to the PSSAs and Keystones this year consists of three main arguments:
1. This year's standardized tests cannot yield useful results. These tests are meant to measure/assess a student's learning over a period of time and covering specific content standards. In order to be useful (valid) a test has to align with the learning. For an extreme example, we wouldn't give a math test at the end of a social studies unit. The PSSAs/Keystones were designed to measure learning over the course of a "normal" school year. As a result, many professional educators believe the PSSAs/Keystones are not aligned to the learning and the reality of this year. Therefore, the results will not be useful for schools to assist individual students based on their individual test scores.
2. Standardized tests create unnecessary stress at a time our children are living with the unprecedented stress of a pandemic. I share deep concerns about the mental health and well-being of our students who have not enjoyed the normal activities of childhood for over a year. I find it hard to justify adding to this stress by mandating that students take multi-hour, multi-day standardized tests that we believe will not yield educationally valid or useful results.
3. Administering the PSSAs and Keystones will consume teaching and learning time in a year where every day of school is precious.
The support for administering the PSSAs and Keystones this year consists of three main arguments:
1. At the federal and state level, the results of the tests can then be used by policy makers to argue for more funding for education.
2. Schools can use results for planning to support student learning.
3. Individual parents may still want to know how their children score on the PSSAs or the Keystones as we come out of this pandemic.
The above arguments have led to increased questions from parents regarding whether or not to opt-out. I encourage you to read through the attached FAQs.
For my wife and I, our children will not take the PSSAs this year. We do not believe the benefits come close to outweighing the negatives. The feedback we receive from teachers via report cards and conferences provide us with the necessary information we need to have a handle on our children's progress. Many parents feel similarly. Many parents will want their children to complete the tests. Our district is prepared to support children either way. Parents should know that it is possible, even likely, the students who are not taking the tests will learn remotely on testing days at the end of May. Please read through the attached FAQs for related information.
If you choose to have your child take the tests, you need to do nothing more. If you choose to opt your child out of the tests please email your principal by April 30th so we can plan accordingly.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Joseph J. Roy
Superintendent
Keystones-(8th grade Algebra students only)
Last Name A-L students
Section 1: Thursday, May 13th and Section 2: Thursday, May 20th
Time: 8:15 AM - 10:40 AM (approx.)
Last Name M-Z students
Section 1: Wednesday, May 19th and Section 2: Friday, May 21st
Time: 8:15 AM - 10:40 AM (approx.)
See the PDF attachment for answers to these questions...
When are the PSSA testing dates?
What are the allowable reasons for opting my child out of the PSSA tests and/or Keystone exams?
What if I choose to opt out my child?
How are the Keystone Exams different from the PSSAs?
If my child is NOT taking the PSSA tests or Keystone Exams, what will they do on test days?
OPT out
Send a shout out to your favorite teacher!
Send a shout out to anyone in the school!
Send another student a Shout out!
EXTRA MINI THON AWARD!
We will award a socially distanced bagel breakfast to the homerooms that have the highest percentage of participation! One per grade level!
Please help!! We are on the hunt for some missing novels!
Outsiders, Hatchet, and We Beat the Street(from last year) just to name a few!
Check out this great opportunity!!
Inspirations posted on Class Dojo by Mr. Tannous
FREE PULSE OXIMETERS for our BASD Grandparents
RAYANS CRAYONS COVID 19 RELIEF IS OFFERING FREE PULSE OXIMETERS TO GRANDPARENTS OF OUR BASD STUDENTS. BELOW ARE THE REQUIREMENTS TO APPLY. HTTPS://RAYANSCRAYONS.ORG/COVID19-RELIEF
PULSE OXIMETER RECIPIENT REQUIREMENTS: *
All must apply to qualify.
Co-reside with grandchildren (with or without parents present) OR
Babysit grandchildren ( with or without parents present) OR
Would like to be able to visit their grandchildren
Over 45+ in age
Have previously NEVER been diagnosed with COVID-19
Will use pulse oximeter on a daily basis for oxygen saturation monitoring
LOG OUT AND POWER DOWN your computer!
Take care of your CHROMEBOOKS!!
Proper Chromebook/Laptop/Desktop Hygiene
Please, please, please complete the following steps:
- Power off your device every day. Computers get tired just like humans. When computers are tired they can become confused and slow just like humans. Humans rest and sleep, so should computers.
- Clear Browsing Data/History of your browser at least weekly.
- Check Self Service for updates (Mac users only). For Windows users, when you power down your machine, any updates waiting should run at that time.
From our amazing instructional coaches at the elementary level, here are 4 recommendations for Chromebooks to run as efficiently as possible based on their capabilities:
Power off each night
Make sure Chrome is up-to-date - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OhKr8IdcavK4OwBTvfQJDN0w1JHf5tln/view
Close all tabs (except those you know you need open during a zoom)
For students to run updates on their Chromebook they should click the Gopher on the shelf.
LATEST INFORMATION FROM ARAMARK:
East Hills Middle School
Email: dhorvath@basdschools.org
Website: https://basdwpweb.beth.k12.pa.us/easthills/
Location: 2005 Chester Road, Bethlehem, PA, USA
Phone: (610)867-0541
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/East-Hills-Middle-School-BASD-102327138332224
Twitter: @EastHillsMSbasd