What`s Trending in Math and Science
May 18-22, 2015
This Week at a Glance:
Good Evening,
I want to first extend my apologies for the confusion and stress the upcoming 7/8 test has caused everyone. I know it is a busy and stressful time for everyone and i hope, in this email, to clear up some information and perhaps provide some alternative options/extensions for the test this Friday.
I have been in contact with individuals at the 7/8 and while i could paraphrase what they have communicated to me, I think it would be best to directly quote them. Therefor,
" The initial test is the assessment of 7th grade math standards, to determine if we have any students who would be better suited in 8th grade math. This test does NOT affect the determination for 7th grade advanced math, or 7th grade regular math. The second test is an assessment of 8th grade standards, to determine if a student should be placed in a 9th grade math class.
I don't anticipate many students progressing to the second test, and if so, it would be likely that they worked through the first test fairly quickly.
Keep in mind that we are not testing 6th graders on material they are expected to know, or that has been presented to them in their 6th grade classroom. Most students will not complete the test. Most students will look it over, attempt a problem or two and just take it as a free preview of what they will be learning next year.
Basically, we start with the first test and proceed with the second as needed. usually only a handful of kids will actually perform well enough on the test of 7th grade standards to advance past 7th grade math, and an even smaller number beyond that. "
and finally, if your student is not successful on the test, they may retest at the end of summer with the 7/8 school:
"students do have an opportunity to re-take the test if they have completed coursework during the summer to improve their math competency."
Any details regarding this last option will need to be discussed with the 7/8 school.
The deadline for students to take the test is Friday. The 7/8 school has already allowed us to change the dates due to SBAC testing.
Each test is composed of 25 questions. According to information passed on from the other elementary schools, some students have taken up to 3 hours to complete testing. We have set aside 3 hours for students to take this test this week during the school day.
Most importantly, for students who do not finish, I have cancelled my planned collaborations for early dismissal this friday and am opening the room for students to finish the assessment(s) that afternoon- after school, in my classroom, so i may proctor.
If this is something you feel you would like your child to do, please take note of the following:
Students will stay in my room after school on Friday.
I will give them some time to relax, eat something and then continue with the test.
When students are done, I will have them call home, but please be prepared and make arrangements in advance for your student to be picked up when they are done.
I am working on a system to navigate how to let you know they would like to have more time to test.
I will have some snacks in the room.
Please reassure your child about this test, there are some very advanced topics on these assessments that they are not expected to know, but coming up against a whole test of this information can be difficult on students self esteem and self-efficacy. I want to stress (perhaps the wrong word :)) to them that they are all successful, hard working, and smart kiddos!!
I also want to make sure they are calm, cool and collected, so to say, so they may be successful on this assessment and will be allowing them all that I can to ensure they are comfortable, calm and de-stressed.
I hope that none of them must stay too late as it is a long week for them all and sitting that long for an assessment is draining, but I will stay as long as i need too and be in contact via email (so as not to disturb them) with those of you who have students who continue to test past 1:00.
Please let me know if you have any further questions - please send them with or be prepared too, drop off a snack for them after school as the snack I will have will be along the lines of redvines or graham crackers and they will probably want a more substantial lunch.
Thank you for your continued understanding and expressing your concerns. I want to do what is best for your student any way I can, so please continue to communicate with me!
Thank you,
Kate Patito
Wednesday, May 20th………….. “Dr. DoLittle” All-Day Dress Rehearsal at Lanterman
(Arrive in full costume and makeup. Drop off 8:10/pick up 2:50 at Lanterman Auditorium. Bring a sack lunch.)
Thursday, May 29th………. “Dr. DoLittle” Showtimes
9:30 a.m. for LCE K-5th graders 7:00 p.m. for parents
(Please drop off your child at Lanterman at 8:10 and pick up your child from school at 2:50. Drop off your child at Lanterman for evening performance at 5:30 to prepare for show.)
Friday - Early dismissal- 8th grade math placement test. Please note:
This test does not affect your students placement in seventh grade mathematics. That is determined by their body of work from the entire year.
End of Year Picnic Luau 5:00pm
Please Note: any and all questions regarding anything about the 8th grade math placement test can be addressed to sbrascia@lcusd.net. Any and all questions I receive will be forwarded in order to most appropriately and effectively answer your questions. Thank you!
Upcoming Events for your Calendar
5/20 All-Day Dress Rehearsal at Lanterman
5/21 “Dr. DoLittle” Showtimes -9:30 a.m. for LCE K-5th graders 7:00 p.m. for parents
5/22 Early Dismissal - Collaboration Day, 7th Grade Math Placement Test, End of Year Picnic 5:00
5/25 Memorial Day - No School
5/27 6th Grade End of Year - Field Trip (students only; lunch provided) *Gulf N Stuff
5/28 Sixth Grade Celebration Lunch in the Science Center Sixth Grade Completion Ceremony
5/29 Last Day of School Schedule:
8:30 Sixth Grade Kickball Game
10:30 Sixth Grade Dance Party (students only)
11:30 Farewell Sixth Grade Procession Dismissal