Wolves Newsletter
Special Edition - MCA's
April 10, 2024
A note from the principal
Dear Parents/Guardians of 3rd, 4th and 5th Grade Students,
Third grade students have been preparing their entire life for the MCA test they will take for the first time this year. Fourth and fifth grade students have been preparing for this test since the minute they finished taking the test last year.
I want my students to do their very best. Throughout the year I want them engaged in school, so that they are prepared for their future, their dreams. The MCA's reflect what they have learned, and what is working and not working at Park Brook.
Park Brook has a history of growth scores above the district, state and national averages. I share our growth scores, never individual students, but averages, with those who provide opportunities for our students so that they can see that their investment is making a difference. (The Loppet Foundation - cross country skiing; Twin Cities in Motion - Twin Cities 5K; YMCA of the North - Resilinator and Kidarod; and so on.)
Mr. Taylor
MCA's - Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments
Students take the MCA tests in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. We want students to be prepared and to do their best.
The test results are used in the following ways:
- Assess the academic growth each student has made during the school year.
- Assess the effectiveness of strategies at Park Brook Elementary so that we can continue to improve our practices.
- Determine academic interventions that are needed for individual students.
- Provide specific academic information for each student to our middle schools.
How to Prepare for the Day of the Test
Students have been preparing all year for these assessments; there is no way to cram for the test.
Students can prepare to do their best by:
- Get 9 - 11 hours of sleep the night before each test.
- Get at least 60 minutes of exercise (outdoor play time) the day before the test.
- Eat dinner the night before the test, and eat breakfast the day of the test.
- Be in school AND on time so that they are not feeling rushed and behind when they arrive at school.
- Stay off of social media, group texts and so on the day before the test. The 'drama' carries over to school and effects students' ability to focus on and do their best. (See link below.)
Encourage Your Child to do the Following During the Test
- Reread each problem/reading passage, and reread each answer choice.
- For some students, it is best to read the question and answers first, and then read the passage.
- Math problems can be read to a student, listen to each problem a couple of times.
- Slow Down and Take Their Time!
- Double check their work.
- Use the scratch paper for math problems - don't rush and try to do the problems in their head.
- The students who rush and finish first may not have the best scores (The ones finishing first usually don't have the best scores.)
- The test adapts to the student. If the student keeps getting problems correct, the student gets more difficult problems. If the students keeps getting problems wrong, the student gets easier questions.
- Do their best!
Fitness Standards
Park Brook Elementary school is a school with a Focus on Fitness Initiative because there is a strong correlation between movement and fitness and academic growth.
(The middle test, under the Park Brook Wolf, is the Pacer Test.)
This article is posted for parents/guardians to consider the information included. The information has not been verified for accuracy by Park Brook Elementary Staff or Osseo Area Schools Staff.
Coming Events
Students Connecting Through International Service
April 9 - 14
Student representatives along with Mr. Taylor will travel to Arizona to deliver school supplies to Sasabe, Sonora, Mexico.
Hoodie Day - Spirit Day
Tuesday, April 16 - Students and staff are welcome to wear their hoodies during the school day!
PTO Meeting
Tuesday, April 16 - 6:00 p.m.
Dinner will be served at this PTO meeting. One of the purposes of this meeting is to gather input from parents and guardians.
Yearbooks - Deadline to order
Sunday, April 14, 2024
(All students will receive a yearbook with pictures of their classmates. The yearbook families are welcome to order will include pictures of students in all grades.)
Band Rehearsal
Wednesday, April 17 - 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Edinbrook Elementary School
Asynchronous Learning Day - At-home Learning Day
Friday, April 19
Band Rehearsal
Wednesday, April 24 - 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Edinbrook Elementary School
Boot Camp
Kindergarten - 5th Grade
Mondays and Wednesdays - 3:20 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
April 29 - May 15
Band Concert
Tuesday, April 30 - 8:00 p.m. - Osseo Middle School
Orchestra Rehearsal
Wednesday, May 1 - 4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. - Edinbrook Elementary School
Mile Run
Friday, May 3 - 2:00 p.m.
Orchestra Concert
Thursday, May 9, 6:30 p.m. - Osseo Middle School
PTO Meeting
Tuesday, May 14 - 6:00 p.m.
5th Grade Commemoration - Wednesday, June 5, 2024 - 1:30 p.m.
Siblings in other grades do not attend the Commemoration. Middle school and high school siblings should remain in their own school. This is a time for 5th grade students and the adults in their lives to celebrate this stepping stone in the 5th grade students life.
Last Day of School
Thursday, June 6, 2024
Review Park Brook!
According to Great Schools, Students at Park Brook are making far more academic progress given where they were last year, compared to similar students in the state.
High progress with low test scores at Park Brook means that students are starting at a low point but the school is doing a great job at supporting their academic growth compared to most other schools.