CHEETAH NEWS
VOLUME 9: ISSUE 4 (2023-24)
Ms. Ottley
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) is a progress monitoring system that is administered three times per year to track your student’s progress in learning the Benchmarks of Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards throughout this school year. Your student’s results from PM2 are for informational purposes only, and you will be provided with information about how to access the results after testing is completed.
Your student will participate in the second administration (PM2) of the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) ELA Reading and FAST Mathematics assessments on the following days:
Tuesday, December 5th: Kinder - 8th grade STAR Math
Thursday, December 7th: Kinder - 8th grade STAR Early Literacy/Reading
Monday, December 11th: 3rd - 5th grade FAST Math
Tuesday, December 12th: 3rd - 5th grade FAST ELA/Reading
Wednesday, December 13th: 6th - 8th grade FAST Math
Thursday, December 14th: 6th - 8th grade FAST ELA/Reading
Kinder - Second Grade STAR: Assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get easier or more difficult depending on how the student responds, and each student will see different questions. If you or your student would like to review Star Early Literacy, Star Reading, andStar Math sample items at home, sample test items are available at https://flfast.org/resources/renaissance-star/renaissance-star.
Third - Eighth Grade FAST: Assessments are computer-adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. The questions get easier or more difficult depending on how the student responds, and each student will see different questions from a common item bank. Each test attempt (PM1, PM2, and PM3) will present 35–40 items that will cover the entire test “blueprint,” meaning students will encounter items representative of the standards within the subject or grade level. For more information on the test design, please visit https://www.fldoe.org/accountability/assessments/k-12-student-assessment/best/. If you or your student would like to interact with the online testing platform or review FAST ELA Reading and Mathematics sample items at home, sample test materials are available at https://flfast.org/families.html.
Please review the following policies with your student before testing:
- Electronic Devices—Students are not permitted to access any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom). If your student is found with an electronic device or is found using Bluetooth/wireless headphones/earbuds during testing, his or her test may be invalidated.
- Calculator Policy—Calculators are not permitted for Kinder through 5th grade students. Grade 6: four-function calculator and Grades 7–8: scientific calculator
- Testing Rules Acknowledgment— All tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by clicking the box in the secure browser indicating they understand the testing rules.
- Discussing Test Content after Testing— The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they click the box to accept the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states that because the content of all statewide assessments is secure, students may not discuss or reveal details about the test content (including test items and passages) after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to social media sites. Please make sure your student understands this policy prior to testing and remind them that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, posting to social media, or sharing online. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.
- Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated.
- Testing Accommodations—If your student has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a Section 504 Plan, or is an English Language Learner (ELL) or a recently exited ELL, please contact the school to discuss any testing accommodations that will be provided for your student.
If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Mrs. Ottley, Dean of Academics, at aottley@tsmas.org .
3 Things We Want You to Know About Drop Off and Pick Up Here at TSMS
1. Know the Rules- Drivers are asked to wait at an active school crosswalk until it is clear of children and the crossing guard gives the hand signal for the driver to proceed. It is crucial drivers are aware of this and wait to see that the crossing guards and students are clear out of the way before proceeding.
2.Be Alert - There are a lot of moving parts, traffic is spiking, parents are locating kids, lines of cars, and students are anxiously awaiting the arrival of their parents. We ask that everyone help by being alert and limiting distractions during this time. This will help us create a safer school zone for our parents, students, and faculty.
3. How can I help? –
As a pedestrian: The best way to help is to follow the safety rules by using designated walking areas. It is important to us here at TSMS that our students use safe practices when transitioning on campus. Please avoid crossing in the middle of the street or crossing between parked cars.
As a driver: Be on high alert and exercise patience. When driving in a school zone, help contribute to a safe school zone by focusing on driving and refraining from distracted driving. Be extra cautious, especially near crosswalks.
Drop-off and pick-up in a school zone is unlike any other setting, and following safety rules is the key to success. Next time you drop your child off, keep these three tips in mind to make school zones safer for everyone.
Many parents don’t realize how quickly unexcused tardies and absences can add up to academic trouble in the classroom. An unexcused tardy or absence is any time your child is out of school for reasons not recognized by law outlined in school policy. If children don’t show up on time for school regularly, or they are missing too many days in the month (having 2-3 unexcused tardies/absences is considered excessive), they miss out on fundamental reading, math and social skills along with the chance to build a habit of good attendance that will carry them into high school, college and their future careers.
Parents, it is your responsibility to notify the school regarding your child’s absence in a timely fashion. In order for a child to be considered for receiving an excused tardy/absence from school, it would need to be one of the following reasons with follow up documentation provided to the school:
- Personal illness and/or medical care of student
- Death in the immediate family
- Court appearance/Legal reasons for the student
- Religious Holidays/Observances
For absences, please use the following link to indicate time away from school and to submit documentation for the absences. https://schoolofmathandscience.org/index.php/school-life/absence-form
Additional Considerations for Excused Absences not listed above:
- Other special circumstance(s) or insurmountable weather condition(s) approved by an Administrator
Chronic or Excessive Unexcused Tardies/Absences could result in a Parent/Administrator conference with you and your child and if the tardies/absences do not improve, your child could be placed on an attendance contract. Let’s all work together to have a great 2023-2024 school year for each and every single student!
Ms. Shelton
Hey TSMS Family!! We worked hard this week wrapped up this week on our Pumpkin Ball. Students enjoyed working with the alphabet hunt, matching words with the pictures, and pumpkin number seeds. We also read about Spookly the pumpkin, made a Spookly craft and cookie.
Ms. Bryner
Kindergarten celebrated a Pumpkin Ball on Friday 10/27. We matched words to pictures. We found pumpkin letters around the room. We counted pumpkin seeds. We wrote sentences on pumpkin life cycle cards. We learned kindness with the story of "Spookly the Square Pumpkin".
Ms. Portero
Rocks!
We had a blast studying about rocks! We learned about boulders, pebbles, and sand. We know they weather and change shape, color and size. Some of the questions the students had were:
How much mineral are in rocks? You can be compared by how hard they are. Quartz is the hardest mineral and watches and radios are made by them.
Is concrete made of rocks? Concrete is a rocklike material. "Natural" rocks must form in nature and be made of minerals.
What can rocks be used for? The students said houses, walls, sculptures, arts and crafts and Zen gardens.
Ms. Debose
We have been working hard in 2nd grade. We are taking a different approach to learning our vocabulary words. We have talked about text features. One text feature we have been using is the glossary. Students had the opportunity to use the glossary this week. I am so proud of my class.
Mr. Lemons
Hello 5th Grade Caregivers
Math and Science have been moving along. Math is concentrating on essentially place value. We are specifically working on the 3 place value areas to the right of the decimal. These are 'Parts of a Whole'.
Science will be closing out soon about Outer Space. We were able to visit the Challenger Center during this lesson which shared much information about what we are doing in Outer Space as well as some the limitations that exist in that different environment.
I am working to include Waggle for Math (this is a part of the online component to HMH, which is our curriculum).
Look for homework to be using Study Island and iReady.
Mr. Soliev
Our TSMS Middle School Math Olympiad team is geared up for the Swift Creek Middle School competition on October 28th after our final practice session this Tuesday. Please wish us luck! If your children are in grades 3 to 8 and interested in math Olympiad, we welcome them to join our passionate team!
Ms. Shamshieva
Dear Parents!
As I announced before, we started to dive into Earth Science. This week we have been covering a variety of geological terms and concepts in our 7th-grade, particularly focusing on the Rock Cycle. Our students are now familiar with essential vocabulary words such as 'weathering,' 'erosion,' 'sediments,' 'compaction,' 'cementation,' 'crystallization,' 'deposition,' 'uplift,' 'rift zone,' 'subsidence,' 'metamorphic rock,' 'igneous rock,' and 'sedimentary rock.'
Our week has been filled with engaging and enjoyable activities:
On Monday it began with an introduction to our new topic and vocabulary.
The following day, students delved into vocabulary work and learned about mineral properties, acquiring the skills to differentiate minerals from rocks.
Wednesday as a group they collaboratively worked to create a foldable Rock Cycle.
On Thursday, with partners they worked in a delicious and fun hands-on activity using Starburst candies to illustrate the rock cycle and its associated vocabulary.
As we approach Friday, it will be assessment and practice day. We encourage parents to ensure their children are engaging in science-related reading at home, reviewing vocabulary, and completing the assigned IXL tasks.
Thank you for your support in making our learning experience as enriching as possible!
Ms. Edwards
From your Literacy Coach!
There are many ways we can help our students be successful in school while they are at home! It is imperative that we create life-long learners who understand that learning shouldn’t stop when they leave school. Here are a couple of tips for improving your student’s overall literacy skills!
Tips for improving your student’s reading comprehension:
Prediction and summarizing: Read with your student for 20 minutes a night (in any language) and ask students to predict what they will read about before reading and summarize what was read at the end.
Buddy Reading: You read one page, they read one page!
Echo reading: You read the page and have your student repeat what you read while pointing to each word.
Tips for improving your student’s writing:
Grocery lists: Have your student write down your grocery list!
Summary: Have students write a short summary of a TV show or movie they watched (including YouTube)!
Recipes: Have students write down the steps to a meal you’re cooking for dinner!
VOLUNTEERS WANTED:
We are looking for parent volunteers to help us label the library books so that students can check out the books in our library! We would appreciate any help you are willing to contribute to our library. If you are interested, please email me at eedwards@tsmas.org.
Happy Reading!
Computers with Mr. Muradov
This week marks the final week for students as they work on developing their block-based programming skills using the Code.org student-friendly programming platform. Up to this point, students have been engaged with Courses A, B, C, and D. This platform has significantly contributed to their reasoning, programming, problem-solving, critical thinking, and computing skills. Starting next week, students will begin receiving their completion certificates if they have successfully completed at least one of these courses.
Photos will be sent separately just right after this one. Again, thank you for your understanding and patience.
Turkish Club with Ms. Akyurek
In our Turkish class, students had a great time exploring Turkish culture. They sampled Turkish Delight and enjoyed Turkish tea. They also learned about colors and animals, even bringing their stuffed animals to make it more enjoyable. Students got creative with role-playing, pretending to be different objects, and had loads of fun. They also had a blast exploring a traditional Turkish game called "Istop" to test their knowledge of colors. It was a colorful and exciting time in our classroom!
Math Olympiad Team with Mr. Baysal
The TSMS Olympiad team will be competing at Swift Creek Middle School on October 28th. We conducted our final practice session on Tuesday and are now fully prepared for the upcoming competition. Your support and well-wishes mean a lot to us, so please wish us good luck.
If you'd like to see your children participate in the math Olympiad, kindly inform us if they are students in grades 3 to 8. We'd be delighted to have them join us.
Red Ribbon Week With Ms. Funk
Red Ribbon Week has a rich history that began in 1985 to honor the memory of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena, a DEA agent who gave his life in the fight against drug trafficking. The red ribbon symbolizes our commitment to living a drug-free life and serves as a powerful reminder that we can all make a difference by choosing to lead a healthy, substance-free lifestyle.
Our school chose different dress down days and is collecting donations for Breast Cancer Awareness. Celebrating Red Ribbon Week and providing support to a great cause has been a lot of fun this week. When you live in Florida and like a team from another state it is difficult to find fans of your team for team spirit day. I found a few Ohio State fans! Go Buckeyes!