KNIGHTS Communication
Wednesday, March 17 - Friday, April 2, 2021
SCHEDULED EVENTS and HAPPENINGS
Tuesday, March 2 - Friday, March 19:
Advisory Grade Level Attendance Challenge
Monday, March 22 - Friday, March 26:
Spring Break
Thursday, April 1 - 7:
ALL In Person/Hybrid Students CMAS Testing
Mondays Remote Students CMAS Testing
4/5 6th & 8th grades Math 8-2pm
4/19 7th grade ELA 8-4pm
Spring Parent Survey
Parents we would like to hear from you. If you have not filled out the parent spring survey please take a few minutes of your time to fill it out. We need your feedback on how well we are doing and what we need to improve on as a VIKAN COMMUNITY.
We also have this link available for you on our school website under quick links.
Spring Break
We want to wish everyone a safe and fun spring break. A Day students will return to school on March 30th and B Day students return on April 1st.
Teacher of the Month
Ms. Milewsky was nominated by student for motivating them to get good grades on tests and helping them take awesemoe notes. Students also mentioned that she makes the school work easy to understand. "She's nice, thankful and understanding."
Way to go Ms. Milewsky!
CMAS State Testing Update
Vikan Families,
We are planning to proceed with CMAS testing in April. As we await the final results of HB121, which will change testing to be only one subject area tested per grade level and no Science testing for 8th grade. While we realize it may not be the ideal situation to test right now, we are viewing it as an opportunity to assess where our students are now. In an effort to minimize transportation days, remote students will complete all 3 sections of the test in one day. Math testing for 6th and 8th grade consists of three 65 minute sections and ELA for 7th grade includes three 110 minute sections. Below you will find the current testing dates and times for full remote students:
Full Remote Students will test on Mondays in April:
April 5th for 6th & 8th grade Math from 8am-2pm
April 19th for 7th grade ELA 8am-4pm
Please note that these dates are tentative until we have final approval of HB121, and may change.
All in-person/hybrid students will test on their synchronous learning days starting April 1st and going through April 7th.
We do realize that there is a lot going on this year and not everyone is comfortable with the decision to proceed with state testing. If you do not want your child(ren) to test this year you may opt-out without any negative impact on your child or the school. If you are interested in opting your child out of testing, please email our Assistant Principal Dr. Landry at clandry@sd27j.net and provide your child(ren)'s name(s) and the reason you do not want them to test.
If you opt-out of testing we would ask that hybrid students stay home on testing days to complete asynchronous work provided by teachers.
The Vikan staff has put a lot of work into creating a testing schedule that is equitable and provides a safe and healthy testing environment for students to be successful. HERE you can find answers to some frequently asked questions and information regarding safety procedures for all students and staff during testing. Please direct any additional questions you may have to Dr. Landry at clandry@sd27j.net
March Anti-Bullying Message
This month we are working to remind students on how to report. As a reminder, we have a digital yellow sheet for students to use to report anything while at school. This document is found in their grade level google classroom. In addition to the yellow sheets, we also use Safe To Tell. Safe to tell can be used anywhere and can be used anonymously. In addition to reminders about reporting, we are also talking about the differences between an upstander and a bystander. An upstander is a person who speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being attacked or bullied. A bystander on the other hand is someone who is present at an event or incident but does not take part. We are also teaching students that bystanders can be upstanders by doing the following.
Stick up for the victim through disagreeing with what the bully said and also making it clear that their behavior is not acceptable
Report the incident to a trusted teacher or adult (this can be done anonymously)
Rally the support of a group of peers to stand up to the bully and report the incident
Make a special effort to include others and befriend peers who appear isolated
Feel free to talk to your students about how being an upstander is an important part of creating and maintaining a healthy, safe, supportive learning environment for them and everyone else at Vikan Middle School. Thank you for taking the time to have these conversations with your student(s).