March 2024 Parent Newsletter
December 5th, 2023
PARENT NEWSLETTER - March 2024
Welcome to the "Viking Village", our district-wide parent newsletter!
This newsletter is an additional way to convey important and interesting
information from USD 465 to our Viking families.
- Volume 2: Spring 2024 Edition -
From the Superintendent: Tricia Reiser
Addressing Student Academic Growth
One of the goals of USD 465 is to ensure that every student is academically prepared for their future endeavors after graduation. To track student progress, teachers and principals utilize the PrK-8 Fastbridge reading and math benchmark data, which measures student achievement growth. Students are assessed on their basic math and reading proficiency three times a year, during the Fall, Winter, and Spring. This regular monitoring allows educators to stay informed about each student's proficiency levels and make necessary adjustments to support their academic development.
Based on the 2023-24 Winter benchmarking data, students are displaying greater growth this year compared to previous years. The data displayed in the chart indicates that a significant portion of the student population is showing remarkable progress in their reading and math skills measured by the Fastbridge Assessments.
The CBM Reading assessment measures students’ reading fluency in grades 2-8. The data shows that 84% of students made reading improvement from the fall to the winter with 39%of students making progressive growth (75th percentile or higher).
The aReading benchmark assessment measures broad reading ability. 87% of students in grades 2-8 show growth with 33% showing progressive growth.
The aMath benchmark assessment measures broad math abilities and predicts overall math achievement in counting and cardinality; operations and algebraic thinking; number and operations in Base Ten; number and operations with fractions; measurement and data; and geometry. Out of the students assessed, 87% demonstrated growth, while 30% showed aggressive growth which falls in the 75th percentile or higher.
Making progress on reading and math benchmarks is crucial for students' academic success. Demonstrating proficiency in these subjects implies that they have grasped fundamental skills and concepts. Furthermore, students who excel in reading and math often perform well in other subjects and are more likely to pursue higher education or career paths. When students make headway on these benchmarks, they become more confident in their abilities and are encouraged to continue learning and improving, leading to greater engagement and academic growth.
Monitoring student progress on benchmarks allows educators to gather valuable data regarding the effectiveness of their instructional strategies and interventions. This data-driven approach empowers schools to customize their teaching methods to better meet the unique needs of students. Ultimately, making progress on reading and math benchmarks is crucial in establishing a solid foundation for academic success, personal development, and future opportunities.
Digging Into the Data: Growth Report
Our students continue to improve academically, as supported by the data below:
Home Fires: Ideas For Family Engagement
It can be found on page 32 of the WHS Student Handbook
Department News and Notes:
From Special Services
For information about Preschool screenings, call the Special Services COOP at 620-221-7027
or click here: Preschool screenings
From the Technology Department
ATTENTION HIGH SCHOOL PARENTS:
Students will not be taking their Chromebooks home with them this summer. Instead, they will be left at the school and given back to them when they return in the fall. However, we understand some circumstances require students to have access to Chromebooks over the summer months, so we have set up a process for these requests.
If a student needs their Chromebook this summer, they must fill out and submit this application by Monday, May 6th, 2024: Chromebook Summer Request Form
Students will then be notified by a high school staff or tech department member when the application is approved or unapproved.
January Highlights
February Highlights
Click the image above to open the reel
Community Resources:
We want to hear from you!
Would you listen to a district produced pod cast?
Calendar Reminders:
Important dates
District Closed - March 29-April 1, 2024. Classes resume April 2, 2024
Kindergarten Round-Up - April 18, 2024
Student's Last Day - May 16, 2024
WHS Graduation - May 19, 2024
Stay Connected and Informed:
Website - https://www.usd465.com/en-US
The district has a webpage. Within that are individual school and department pages. https://www.usd465.com/
(If viewing on your phone, click on the QR code.)
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/USD465Winfield
There is a district Facebook page, as well as pages for each individual school and department. https://www.facebook.com/USD465Winfield
(if viewing on your phone, click on the QR code.)
In Their Own Words: Thoughts About Student Growth From Our Principals
Dave Hammer, Middle School Principal
When we think of growth in the middle school, we tend to think about academic growth. However, student growth can be measured in a variety of ways like, critical thinking, resilience or personal development. The transition to middle school from elementary can be stressful for students, but can be an opportunity for students to grow. Middle school provides opportunities for students to develop social skills and independence as they make that transition.
When we talk about social skills, students encounter a more diverse social environment with larger peer groups. Through interactions with peers, participation in group activities, students form meaningful relationships and adapt to different social scenarios. To assist our Winfield Middle School students we have implemented SAIL time in the morning where students are work on SEL (social and emotional learning) with 6-8 grade students. To provide a smoother transition from elementary school, our Navigators (7 th and 8 th grade leaders) meet with our 6 th graders to discuss how their year is going, but to create more opportunities to build friendships with our Navigators, as well as other sixth grade students.
Independence is another way to look at a student’s growth. Students learn to manage their time
effectively, organize their schoolwork and take responsibility for their learning. Two of the larger skills middle schools focus on are having students take ownership of their learning and decision-making. When a student forgets to do an assignment, WMS has an afterschool program called “Opportunity Period” where students can stay afterschool to receive assistance on homework. Middle school students have increased responsibilities such as time management, managing multiple classes and navigating a larger campus. Through these experiences, students learn to set goals and problem solve while growing academically and personally.
Dr. Kait Pressnall, High School Principal
There are many things to love about high schoolers, however I think the top one is the tremendous amount of growth that occurs in four years. There is nothing more gratifying for the staff of Winfield High School than to see that growth. This year we instituted Viking Times for social emotional lessons on White Days and one teacher talked about doing restorative circles and using journaling during that time and she is seeing students feeling more and more comfortable sharing and supporting their peers. Supporting peers and opening up to each other and staff members is important because this can help reduce stress and boost morale.
We want WHS to be a safe place for all students. A teacher that works with students in a self contained program within WHS shared that when the students within this program walk with their teacher and paras in the halls during their morning walk they are greeted more and more by other students and replying back without prompting. This is the inclusivity that we strive for!
Teacher student relationships are of the utmost importance to us at WHS. Relationships create the most growth and at the fastest rate. Through these relationships we have seen students thrive and do things that they never thought they could, tempers and emotions are controlled better. This increases enjoyment at work and at school for students and staff. Our staff rallies around our students and this is where the growth thrives.