The Flores Flyer
April 30, 2019 Volume 1, Issue 8
SBAC State Testing Begins May 7 for Davis Magnet School Students
Dear parents,
Every year elementary students in grades 3-6 take the California Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) Test. This is an opportunity for students across the state of California to demonstrate what they have learned. While we want our students to take this assessment seriously, we also do not want to apply any additional pressure or stress.
My message to students and parents remain the same during testing as to any other learning day. It is important for students to do the following:
Do their very best. If they follow this core value of ours, then they will do great. Doing their very best means that they take their time, read carefully, check their work, and show off what they know. I am so proud of the work that our students do on a daily basis and I know that testing days are no different. Students will do great!
There are a few things you can do during testing, and should be doing all 180 days of the school year, to ensure students are successful.
The night before:
- Help your child get to bed on time. Research shows that being well-rested helps students do better.
- Help children resolve immediate arguments before going to bed.
- Keep your routine as normal as possible. Upsetting natural routines may make children feel insecure.
- Mention the test to show you’re interested, but don’t dwell on it.
- Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test.
The morning of the test:
- Get up early to avoid rushing. Be sure to have your child at school on time. We start testing right after the school day begins.
- Have your child eat a good breakfast but not a heavy one. Research shows that students do better if they have breakfast before they take tests.
- Have your child dress in something comfortable.
- Be positive about the test. Acknowledge that tests can be hard. Explain that doing your best is what counts. The important thing is to make your child comfortable and confident about the test.
After the test:
- Talk to your child about his or her feelings about the test, making sure you acknowledge the effort such a task requires.
- Discuss what was easy and what was hard; discuss what your child learned from the test.
- Explain that performance on a test is not a condition for you to love your child.
- You should receive your child’s results in late summer or early fall.
All students in grades 3-6 will complete their state testing in the classrooms using their chromebooks. Students will be using the computer to answer selected response (multiple choice) and constructed response (short answer) items, as well as complete performance tasks that require the integration of skills within language arts and mathematics.
Parents are NOT allowed at all in the 3rd-6th grade classrooms from 8:15 to 10:40 a.m. during testing sessions. Please help us to ensure proper testing environments by abiding to this rule. Additionally, our campus will be silent during these testing windows. Any parents volunteering on campus to support K-2 classrooms, please be mindful of our testing schedule and classroom test sessions.
The 2019 SBAC Testing Schedule is listed below. It is critical that students are at school and on time during these testing windows. Make-up tests are more challenging on the student.
May 7-10: Grades 3-6 ELA
May 14-17: Grades 3-6 Math
May 13, 20-24: Grades 3-6 Make-ups.
May 22-23: Grade 5 Science
If you have any questions about statewide testing, please feel free to contact your child’s teacher or myself. Thank you for your continued support in your child’s education and I am confident that our students will perform well.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Flores
Highest Number of Applicants, YET!
We recently conducted the lottery for the 2019-20 school year and learned that we had the highest number of applicants yet. There were 534 applicants for a little less than 100 seats. This is the largest applicant pool in the past nine years in which we have had an electronic lottery system.
While I look forward to welcoming our new Davis families, I have to extend my gratitude to all of you. A lot of families apply to our school because of the many wonderful things they hear from their friends, family members, and neighbors who are already a part of the Davis Magnet School community.
Thank you for being advocates and strong supporters of our school. Your commitment, encouragement, and willingness to share the many positive attributes that Davis offers our families means a lot and only helps our school continue to improve.
I look forward to bringing our new and returning families together so that we can continue to provide a high-quality educational experience for our students.
The Power of Yet: Developing our Growth Mindset - Written by Ms. Daniela Ramos, Kindergarten Teacher and PBIS Team Member
This month’s Growth Mindset focus is on The Power of Yet. According to the dictionary, this powerful three letter word “yet” means, “up until the present or a specified or implied time; by now or then”. This word embraces the power of hope, the power of believing, and the power of a growth mindset. The authors of Growth Mindset, Annie Brock and Heather Hundley state it best: “Studies show that growth mindsets result in higher test scores, improved grades and more in-class involvement. When students understand that their intelligence is not limited, they succeed like never before”. When students know we believe in them, when they feel it is okay to give it a try, and when they encourage one another, the power of yet flourishes.
So what is growth mindset? According to author, Carol S. Dweck, “growth mindset is when individuals believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work, where their intelligence and talents are just the starting point. This perspective creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment, reminding students to keep a positive mindset”. No longer is it “I can’t do it”, it’s now “I can’t do this… YET!”
Spotlight on 5th Grade!
Each month we will shine a special spotlight on one grade level at Davis Magnet School. This month 5th grade teachers, Mrs. Danahy, Mrs. Ivey, Ms. Keller, and Mrs. Steiner share some of the wonderful things the 5th grade students are doing.
Spring is an especially exciting time for learning in 5th grade at Davis! Every week, our students learn in all three 5th grade classrooms during rotations. Ms. Keller teaches science through dynamic hands-on learning. Mrs. Steiner integrates 21st century skills and technology to make US history interesting and relatable. Mrs. Danahy incorporates science, technology, arts, engineering and math during arts and design.
This year, our 5th graders were invited to participate in the first OC Maker Challenge Jr. Students were challenged to identify a unique problem, document solutions and present a prototype. OC Maker Challenge Jr. gave students the opportunity to develop inquiry and problem-solving through active engagement. Two projects were selected to represent Davis at the OCDE OC Maker Challenge Jr. showcase on April 24.Team Fish Bot focused on solving the problem of trash in the ocean. The team designed “fish,” using a 3D printer, to look like a pool toy so it can be fun to clear target areas like pools or some sort of stream. Team members, Alethea, Edith, Michael, and Felix, submitted an excellent project with many wonderful and helpful ideas. The second team called Team Project Prosthetic consisting of Andres, Gavin, and Sam submitted the other Davis project for the Orange County Challenge. Their project summary states, “We could not imagine not having the ability to pick up objects like our toothbrush, cell phone or pencil, could you? The solution for the problem is that Project Prosthetic provides a motor-powered hand which can be used for everyday tasks. If someone does not have a hand, they are able to pick up items using the prosthetic hand. We included a motor so that it best resembles a real functioning hand.” This innovative project left the OCMaker Challenge, Jr. with a 1st Place Ribbon and we could not be more proud of this students for their hard work, creativity, and collaboration. Congratulations to both teams!
This past month, 5th graders also went to Astro Camp. Located in the San Jacinto Mountains, Astro Camp provides a unique opportunity for students to explore science in an outdoor mountain learning environment. Students participated in a variety of activities that deepen their understanding of 5th grade science which include telescope observations, beginning rocketry, team building, planetary and solar investigations.
The 5th graders have been giving it their all to make this the #BestYearYet!
OCMaker Challenge, Jr. 1st Place Finishers!
Astro Camp was a BLAST!
Another Successful Trip to Astro Camp!
Nutrition Nuggets - "The Importance of Stretching" By Kim Robins, NMUSD Nutritionist
Why is it important to stretch?
- Cardiovascular and strength training are great but stretching keeps the muscles long, lean, flexible, strong and healthy.
- Because we spend most of our day in the same posture, we continue to overuse and fatigue our muscles, making them short and tight. Stretching helps correct this.
- By not stretching we form adhesions and connective tissue that is not needed, decreasing circulation, flexibility, and range of motion while increasing the risk of tendinitis, aches and pain.
The proper time to stretch is after at least five minutes of cardiovascular training. Stretching when your muscles are cold may lead to injury. Focus on major muscle groups such as your calves, thighs, hips, lower back, neck and shoulders. Hold the stretch for 15 – 20 seconds with control, and breathe your way through it.
Stretching can assist in correct posture, improve circulation, calm the mind and give your body a chance to recharge. Stretch for balance and good health.
Parenting Tip: Sit Less, Play More
Davis Magnet School
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Email: cflores@nmusd.us
Website: http://davismagnet.nmusd.us/
Location: 1050 Arlington Drive, Costa Mesa, CA, USA
Phone: (714)424-7930
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Twitter: @DavisMagnet