Bear Essentials
April 21, 2023
GCPS 3rd-5th graders show what they know this spring…
Georgia Milestones Online
The Georgia Milestones Assessment is part of the Georgia Milestones assessment system, spanning 3rd grade to high school. This state assessment measures how well students have learned knowledge and skills in the core areas of language arts and mathematics and science (5th grade only). This assessment provides information about student achievement and readiness to move on to the next level of learning.
All Georgia students will take the assessment online. Students answer technology-enhanced questions as part of the assessment. (See below flyer for more about the types of questions on the Milestones assessment.) Here in Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS), the testing calendar and an increase in the number of computers available for testing ensure a smooth testing experience for students and allow for a normal instructional day for students who are not in testing.
So, what do I need to know about Milestones?
Instruction Continues During Testing.
Schools follow a district testing schedule that is designed to maximize the instructional time for our students. In addition, GCPS has invested in additional devices so that schools have enough available technology to assess students while still being able to use technology in the classroom to enhance instruction. The additional devices allow more students to test at a given time, reducing the total number of days required to complete testing. This schedule also helps to ensure that children are rested and ready for testing. With this schedule, Milestones seems less like a testing event and more like a regular school day.
Access to Computers for Testing.
The technology-enhanced questions require higher technology specifications on computers used for testing. Your child’s school has enough computers with adequate capacity so that every student in a grade level will be able to take a Milestones exam on the designated day, using morning and afternoon sessions if needed. As much as possible, computers in the media center and productivity labs will not be used for testing so that students in other grades and subjects have continued access to these technology resources on testing days.
Milestones is not an “all day” event. Times for each assessment range from 30 minutes up to 90 minutes on any given day. Students will continue instruction and normal school activities the rest of the day.
Your student will be ready! Gwinnett’s Academic Knowledge and Skills (AKS) curriculum includes all of the state standards, so the teaching and learning that goes on in the classroom every day prepares students for the rigorous assessments of Georgia Milestones. In addition, classwork, homework, quizzes, and tests throughout the school year prepare students for the assessment. Of course, regular school attendance and participation in the classroom is critical to a student’s academic success as well.
You can support your student. Remind your child that the tests will cover material learned in class. Please reference the Georgia Department of Education Milestones Resources page for additional support materials.
Your student can practice. Help your student practice using the online testing environment and the tools that will be used for testing. Visit GAExperienceOnline.com, select “Test Practice,” and follow the prompts to see the types of questions and tools available.
Types of Questions for Milestones
Georgia Milestones includes four types of questions:
Selected Response: These multiple-choice questions in the language arts and mathematics assessments require students to select an answer from a set of options.
Constructed Response: Used for both the language arts and mathematics exams, theseopen-ended questions require students to generate a response that both answers the question and provides an explanation.Extended Response: In the writing component of the language arts assessment, students answer questions with more in-depth answers and extensive explanation.
Technology-Enhanced Response: These items are more interactive, requiring students to use technology to answer the question. Examples include a “drag and drop” response, editing text, shading an object, or classifying items. These items are part of both assessments.
Student Placement Preference for 2023-2024
When considering student placement for the upcoming school year there are several criteria we consider to ensure academic success for all of our students.
Our job is to ensure that there is a highly-qualified, passionate teacher in every classroom who believes that all students can learn, and challenges each child to meet his/her potential. Each teacher provides a safe and secure environment for students, and each teacher works with the others on the grade level to plan rigorous yet differentiated lessons.
However, even though our teachers provide input on unique student needs, if you have a concern, we want you to be able to share that information with us. You can do so by completing this electronic form. All forms should be submitted no later than Friday, April 28, 2023. We will not be able to accept forms after that date. The form allows you to write about the type of learning environment that will be most successful for your child, along with any additional information that should be considered. Please note,
we do not honor specific teacher requests in the placement of children at Dyer.
Mark Your Calendars: Teacher Appreciation Week 5/1-5/5
Teacher Appreciation Week is fast approaching, and Dyer Elementary is going to be celebrating our amazing teachers and staff all week long, May 1 - May 5. Please be on the lookout for more details from your child's classroom Room Parent!
BEARS Trading Post
Trading Post Hours: 7:40-8:10AM (students must be in line by 8:05AM)
Shopping Days:
- Tuesdays- Kindergarten and 3rd grade
- Wednesdays- 1st and 4th grade
- Thursdays- 2nd and 5th grade
Get Connected to Dyer ES!
Parents & guardians, you play a crucial role on our team, and one of our top priorities is to communicate with you effectively. We use a variety of tools to communicate such as the Parent Portal/ParentVUE, our school website, email, weekly school newsletters (The Bear Essentials), Facebook, Instagram and the PBIS Rewards Parent app! Please be sure we have your current email address on file; this can be updated by our office staff (photo ID required).
Birthday Wishes in Big Lights!
*Special discount for Birthday Marquee Message Pre-Orders! During the month of August, you can purchase a birthday message for your child for a discounted price of $5. This will allow our team ample time for processing messages.
The Dyer PTO Nominating Committe Presents the 2023-2024 Board of Directors Slate of Candidates:
Director -Erin Bruce & Adasha White
Assistant Director - Elaine Orr
Communications Secretary - JiaVanna Mickens
Recording Secretary - Angela Simmons
Treasurer - Catherine Anderson
Assistant Treasurer - Mandy Gumm
Elections will be held on Friday, April 28th at 3:15PM.
This will be our first balloted election where members will vote on the position of Director. Please take a moment to review each candidate's bio by clicking here.
Per the PTO bylaws, there will be one vote/ballot permitted per household. Members will need to bring a photo ID and check-in at the PTO Nominating Committee table to receive their ballot. Voting by proxy is not permitted. Ballots will be collected promptly at 3:30, no late ballots can be accepted. Ballots will be counted at the meeting and results announced at the conclusion.
2023 Gwinnett Multicultural Festival and County Government Open House!
Festival Muticultural de Gwinnett y Bienvenida del Condado al 2023
¿Está listo para el Festival Multicultural de Gwinnett y Bienvenida del Condado al 2023?
Únase a nosotros el sábado 13 de Mayo de 10:00 am a 2:00 pm en el Gwinnett Place Mall. El evento familiar gratuito contará con una ceremonia de naturalización, espectáculos culturales, vendedores de comida, inflables y otras actividades interactivas. Los asistentes podran ver de cerca a una patrulla de policía, un helicóptero y un camión de bomberos y disfrutar de demostraciones de K-9. ¡Nos vemos allí!
Dyer Elementary School
Website: https://www.gcpsk12.org/dyeres
Location: 1707 Hurricane Shoals Road, Dacula, GA, USA
Phone: 770-963-6214
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DyerES/