DAVIS HILL COMMUNITY WEEKLY UPDATE
April 9, 2018
I hope that everyone is enjoying their weekend (despite the continued 'chill' in the air and the snow on the ground!).
Have a great week everyone!
Kindly,
Jay C. Norton, Principal
*Don't forget to read through the entire update... there are always more dates in the Upcoming Events Section. If any questions/ concerns- please don't hesitate to contact me/ the office.
Highlighted Events/ Information for the Week!
Report Cards Go Live
Report Cards will be officially posted on April 9th at 4:00PM via the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Note: Please remember that grades are not final until 4/9 at 4:00PM.
SIMCO Meeting
Our next SIMCO Meeting will take place this Thursday, April 12th at 4:00PM in the Community Room.
PTA Meeting
Our next PTA Meeting is scheduled for the Thursday, April 12th at 6:30PM. Childcare will be provided. Hope to see you there!
Voluntary Placement Questionnaire For 2018-2019
MCAS ASSESSMENT GRADES 3-5
This week, our 5th Graders will be taking MCAS on Tuesday and Wednesday. The MCAS dates have been shared via the Weekly Update for some time and remain available via the following link (MCAS Schedule).
This year our students will be taking the MCAS on the computer. This is a change for our students as we have historically completed MCAS testing using paper/ pencil materials. As is true with any change, there will be some challenges associated with our transition to the computer based platform. We have worked hard with our students to prepare them for this change and feel confident that they are ready!
For more information on MCAS, please see the link from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).
Link: DESE Information on Student Testing
GENERAL NOTES ON MCAS ASSESSMENT:
It is understood that standardized testing can create anxiety for some students. The Massachusetts Statewide Parent Information and Resource Center has provided the following list of guidelines for parents to help prepare their child for the testing:
Make sure your child is well rested and eats breakfast.
See that your child arrives to school on time and is relaxed.
Encourage your child to do the best work possible and to have a positive attitude.
Dress comfortably!
Remind your child to read all test taking directions carefully and listen to the teacher’s directions.
Encourage your child to take his/her time and check work for accuracy.
To help reduce anxiety:
Talk about the test in a positive way.
Encourage best efforts rather than perfection.
Encourage your child to focus on his/her strengths, such as good memory.
Assure your child that the test is only one measure of academic performance.
Emphasize that test scores do not determine a person’s worth.
At Davis Hill, our message to students reinforces the following:
-Be confident and ‘relax’! It is an opportunity to ‘Show What You Know!’.
-You are prepared and ready!
-The MCAS does not define who you are as a student and/ or a person.
Our hope is that at the end of the MCAS assessment, Davis Hill students will feel a sense of pride in themselves that they have put forth their best effort and feel proud of themselves for meeting the challenge.
*Please note the following re: MCAS:
Students are not allowed to have electronic devices (cell phones/ SmartWatches) during assessment. If your child owns/ wears a SmartWatch to school, they will have to take it off during the assessment.
If you have any questions/ concerns regarding MCAS, please contact your child’s classroom teacher and/ or administration.
MCAS SCHEDULE CHANGES
Provided our responsibilities in regard to the MCAS assessments, there will be some schedule changes (recess/ lunch and special changes) that will be taking place for some grade levels on the listed assessment days.
Once again this year, our Davis Hill Teaching Staff will be working with the PTA to hold the Davis Hill Spell-A-Thon. We plan on running the Spell-A-Thon in a similar manner as we did last year and we held a brief 'Pep Rally' in late March to kick things off! We are working together as a staff to finalize the items that we are looking to fund via the fundraiser (ex: Additional technology/ Chromebooks, Teacher materials, etc.). Paper copies were sent home with students last week. If they didn't make it home, please see the links below for information. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Spell-A-Thon Description/ Key Dates and Pledge Sheet
PTA INFORMATION
PTA BOARD For 2018-2019 SCHOOL YEAR/ BINGO NIGHT
It will soon be time to determine the PTA Board members for next year. If anyone is interested in becoming a part of the Board, or would like to find out more, please email davishillpta@gmail.com.
Thank You!
Spirit Wear Sales Update
BINGO NIGHT
PARENT CORNER- HOW TO RAISE SUCCESSFUL KIDS WITHOUT OVERPARENTING
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
UPCOMING EVENTS
Report Cards Available (PowerSchool Parent Portal)
Monday, Apr 9, 2018, 04:00 PM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- Grade 5 ELA
Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS- Grade 5 ELA
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
SIMCO Meeting
Thursday, Apr 12, 2018, 04:00 PM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
PTA Meeting
Thursday, Apr 12, 2018, 06:30 PM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Student Council Spirit Wear Day
Friday, Apr 13, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
April Vacation
Monday, Apr 16, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Back to School!
Monday, Apr 23, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS Grade 4 ELA
Wednesday, Apr 25, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
MCAS Grade 4 ELA
Thursday, Apr 26, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Student Council Spirit Wear Day
Friday, Apr 27, 2018, 09:00 AM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
PTA Bingo Night
Friday, Apr 27, 2018, 06:00 PM
Davis Hill Elementary School, Jamieson Road, Holden, MA, USA
Davis Hill Elementary School
Email: jay_norton@wrsd.net
Website: http://www.wrsd.net/davishill/
Location: 80 Jamieson Road, Holden, MA 01520, United States
Phone: 508-829-1754
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DavisHillDragons/
Twitter: @DHPrincipal