Washington Elementary News Post.
January 9, 2017
5th Grade Pasta Car Races
STEM Activity; Build a pyramid with cups using string, a rubber band and straws.
Kindergarten friends showing teamwork at noon recess
Calling all Bingo Fans! PTO presents, Family Fun Night
When: Friday, January 13
Time: 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
Where:Washington Elementary
Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria. (Beef Hot Dogs, veggies, and chips) Then we will head to the gym to play bingo! There will be celebrity Bingo Callers and prizes will be given! If you have any small prizes you could donate please bring for the prize table. Thanks!
Future Upcoming Family Dates Include:
February 9
March 9
May 4 (Math Night)PTO Meeting Rescheduled to allow parents to attend the Prairie Winds Family Engagement Night
Happy New Year to you and your family. Due to the Prairie Winds Middle School Family Engagement Night scheduled for Monday, January 9th, the Washington Elementary PTO meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, January 11th from 6:30-7:30 pm. at Washington Elementary in the media center. We chose to reschedule the PTO meeting to allow our families with middle school age children to attend the Prairie Wind event. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
See details about the Prairie Winds Family Engagement Night below:
The Prairie Winds Middle School Family Engagement team is planning their first event for January 9, 2017. All parents and guardians are welcomed to attend. The event runs from 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM with food being served from 6:00-6:30.
The PWMS Family Engagement Group is open to all parents, students, teachers and staff connected to Prairie Winds. The purpose is to promote communication among Prairie Winds families as a way to support a healthy school community. To learn more about the group and their vision, join their Facebook group. It is a closed group, so please do a search for Prairie Winds Middle School Family Engagement.
Use of Assessment to Inform Instruction and Learning
Feedback through the Thoughtexchange survey last spring let us know that the amount of testing was an area of concern. I too, am mindful of the amount of testing we include as part of the learning experience at Washington Elementary. Testing or assessment is a big part of learning every day. It shows up on a daily basis in a variety ways. You see, we are constantly assessing the level of student understanding with each learning activity we do. Informally, a teacher might used questioning, thumbs up/thumbs down, a pair-share with a partner, an exit slip, and student report out. On a more formal basis, it might include a unit reading assessment, a science lab, a social studies project, an art project, a skills assessment in physical education, just to name a few. Assessment is a critical part of the learning process. The important thing is that we use the results to inform learning and instruction.
DIBELS are comprised of seven measures to function as indicators of phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, accuracy and fluency with connected text, reading comprehension, and vocabulary. DIBELS were designed for use in identifying children experiencing difficulty in acquisition of basic early literacy skills in order to provide support early and prevent the occurrence of later reading difficulties. We support student learning needs through whole group instruction, small groups, 1:1 conferring with the classroom teachers and reading specialists. The second forma assessment, NWEA, Northwest Evaluation Assessment, is administered every spring and often times as a mid-year check on reading and math. I have created a question and answer format to help you understand the purpose of the NWEA assessment.
Understanding the North West Evaluation (NWEA)
What is the North West Evaluation (NWEA) assessment?
The NWEA Test engages students, parents and teachers in the use of data to inform student learning. NWEA results will help teachers plan for classroom instruction, small group instruction and additional time and support for enrichment and intervcntion
How is this test different from other tests students take?
Unlike the state mandated standardized test, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA), the NWEA test is intended to:
1. provide immediate feedback to students, parents and teachers
2. establish student learning level, indicated by a RIT score
3. demonstrate growth in student learning overtime.
What is the purpose of this assessment?
The purpose of the test is to measure your child's progress and chart growth over time in areas of reading and math. Teachers use the results to set goals with students using the RIT score.
Which tests are given?
K-5: Spring (math and reading) for all students
K-5: Winter NWEA reading and math is an option for grade levels. Information is used formatively to check on learning progress, inform instructional groups and serves as a predictor for where students are related to proficiency targets for the MCA assessment in administered in grades 3-5.
How long does the assessment take to complete?
Typically students take between 25-40 minutes to complete each assessment.
How do I interpret the results using the RIT score?
- The RIT score gives us a way to monitor students' progress over time. The score is independent of the age or grade of the student, but reflects the instructional level at which the student is currently performing.
- The RIT scale is an equal interval scale much like feet and inches on a yard stick. It is used to chart your student's academic growth from fall to spring and year to year. A RIT score tells you where on the scale your child is performing.
- You will be able to determine your progress in comparison to other students in District 77 and the norm group of over 1.5 million students in the United States and Canada.
When will I be able to determine growth in student learning over time?
The results from the spring test will provide you with the opportunity to see growth in student learning from the spring to spring in the areas of reading and math.
Finally, the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment is administered to all students in grades 3-5 each spring. This assessment is required by the State of Minnesota in reading and math. Students in grades 5, 8 and high school also take a MCA science assessment. The MCA assessment is designed to measure grade level skills and inform teacher, students and parents how well student are doing compared to grade level academic standards.
It is our goal to be mindful of using testing (assessment) to inform and guide our decisions to support student learning. We are conscientious about the role and the amount allocated for testing/assessing student learning. The amount of time students engage in District 77 approved formal assessments outside the classroom is minimal. The Dibels assessment occurs three times per year for about 1 minute per student. The NWEA assessment takes about 30-45 minutes per subject up to two times per year. Please continue to share your feedback. Thank you for being a great partner in this most important endeavor.
Important Dates!
PTO Meeting: January 11, 2017 @ 6:30pm in the Media Center
Family Fun Night: January 13, 2017 @6:30-7:30
No School: January 16, 2017
Kindergarten Family Pizza Day: January 26, 2017 @ 12-1:30pm
No School: January 27, 2017
Weather Related Announcement
The ice has created a hazard for all of us in the past week. We are excited about the warm up in order to get our students back outside for noon recess. Winter is such a great time of the year for students. With the right winter clothing, students can enjoy the outdoors. It is our goal to help students find joy in winter activity. The plain truth is that living in Minnesota can mean six months of cold and winter-like weather.
We will make every effort to have students go outside for morning and noon recess. We know the fresh air (oxygen) to the brain, movement and social play opportunities are necessary to help our students be learning ready. We need to work together to be proactive and be sure students have the appropriate winter clothing to enjoy the time outside. Please make sure to discuss the expectations to wear proper outdoor winter clothing. The sweatshirt with no hat or gloves is not adequate winter clothing. If you have a specific need for winter clothing, please let us know. We have people willing to donate, if necessary.
Because we live in Minnesota, it is our intent to go outside unless the temperatures present a safety risk. We use the National Weather Service Wind Chill Advisory Chart to guide our decision. Click here to see the District 77 Wind Chill Chart used to guide our decisions on outside morning and noon recess. If wind speed and air temperature are in the light blue area, as indicated in the chart, we will go outside. Additionally, I am on the playground daily and monitor the weather changes and respond accordingly.
Thank you for your support in helping ensure our students learn to be active year around.
Sincerely,
Mr. Baier
Principal
Music Notes
Happy New Year to ALL our Washington families! We are starting right away this month to prepare for our music presentations that will take place in February. Please be sure you have these dates on your calendar and come and join us for some great music making!
Friday, February 10 - Grades 1, 2, 3 and 5 music program - “Thyme” For A Rhyme!
Program will be presented at 9:30am and 1:00pm. All students in grades 1, 2, 3 and 5 will perform in this music program. Please choose one program, either morning or afternoon to attend as our audience will be large to accommodate four grades.
Week of February 27 - March 3 - Grades K and 4 informances - in class music performance
These informances will take place during your child’s music class. More information about the specific time of your child’s class will be coming home in February. During the informance, Parents will watch students present songs, dances, instruments and more. Some classes may include audience participation!
The plan for next year is to have grades K, 2, 4 present informances and grades 1, 3, 5 present a program. Due to the fact that this year’s 2nd graders have done an informance in both Kindergarten and First grade, we decided to include them in the program so they would have that opportunity before entering 3rd grade.
7 Habits of Happy Kids; Creating a Culture of Leadership and Excellence
How is your child being proactive?
Has your child shared goals set keeping the end in mind?
Do work first; then play!
Washington Elementary PTO Meeting Minutes
12-12-16
Meeting Attendees: Chelsey Brielmaier, Shane Baier, Diane Winegar, Sarah Peterson, Casey Neitzel, Tracy Opie, Amy Cain, Stacy Carpenter, Heather Olson, Mary Wagner, Marni Moule, Laura Bemel, Alison Carlson, Carolina Koopmans, Eileen Campbell
November Meeting Minutes: Were approved are posted on the PTO website which is part of the Washington Elementary website. Meeting minutes approved. Casey motion, Laura. 2nd
Treasurers Report: See attached.
Teacher Report:
The rug for the music room has been purchased and put to use. The music teachers sent a thank you to PTO.
Thanks provided to PTO for conference meals and items purchased for Jump Rope for Heart event.
Requests for funding:
Mary Wagner presented the teacher request for funds for the Reading Rocks event held right before Christmas break. $200 to hire a DJ. Marni motion. Tracy 2nd.
Principal Report: Shane Baier stated the school will be starting to work on Habit 3 of the 7 Habits.
The school received grant money to provide training to the school staff for Leader In Me.
Discussion about how the school should proceed with information gathered from the “Thought Exchange” that the school district did last year. Data from the Thought Exchange may be viewed from the District 77 website: http://www.isd77.org The link for the Thought Exchange is the first link under “Quick Links” on the left-hand side of the home page or by clicking this link:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175hA-Ur8u3SVnqby54z_AcstKR47y2fbx0-dvE7qfD0/edit
Laura Bemel and Eileen Campbell will be putting together a framework to proceed with the information gathered.
Committee Reports:
Yearbook: Nothing to report at this time.
Book Fair: The next book fair will coincide with the February 9, Family Fun Night since Febraury is “I Love to Read Month.”
Fundraising:
Marni discussed that preparations have started for the Walk-a-Thon that will be held in May. The executive committee met with a Washington parent that is connected with the community and he offered suggestions on how to approach individuals and businesses for support. Committee meetings for the Walk-a-Thon will begin after school resumes after the holiday break. The DUNK TANK has been reserved!
Just a reminder for people to sign up for AMAZON SMILE program if they utilize AMAZON.COM. Information can only be dispersed electronically so it will be posted on Facebook and possibly via e-mail.
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/90-0542342
Conference Meals: Conferences were held on November 15, 17 and 21. PTO provided the the main course of the meals and donations of food items from Washington Families for supplemental items. Thank you to all the parents that provided donations for the event!
Events:
Walk –a-Thon: A date needs to be determined. Planning meetings will begin soon. May 19th is a tentative date as it is the “equivalent” to the date last year.
Upcoming Family Fun Nights:
January 13 BINGO Night
Amy Cain, Heather Olson and Laura Bemel will be planning this event
Future Family Fun Nights: February 9, March 9 and April 20 (math night)
Kindergarten Round-Up: committee needed
Misc.
Childcare was provided by Mankato East students.
Meeting adjourned.
NEXT MEETING: Monday, January 11, 2017 6:30 P.M. Washington Media Center
Raise Money for your Washington Elementary School.
It’s easy to support your school with items you already use in your home or receipts from stores you already patronize! Below is a list of the collection programs we are currently participating in.
Feel free to send any of the following to school with your student or there is a set of drawers in the hallway next to the lost and found to drop any of them off.
Each box top through Box Tops for Education is worth 10 for our school. If each student turned in just 10 box tops during the year the school would receive around $400. Watch for Bonus Tops on participating products or as a coupon from your store purchase. Go to www.boxtops4education.com to sign up, enter sweepstakes and to see a list of the participating products. Box tops do expire so be sure to turn them in on time!
Through Kwik Trip’s Milk Moola program, each milk/juice cap and bag top is worth 5 cents. Please remember to rinse the caps and bag tops before turning them in.
With Campbell’s Label’s for Education program, the school can earn points to purchase items for the classrooms and gym/art equipment. Remember when clipping be sure to keep the point value logo and the UPC (barcode) together. The face of the can label is NOT redeemable, only the UPC portion of the label. Go to www.labelsforeducation.com to see a list of participating products.
Save your Hy-Vee receipts from both Mankato locations and they will donate $1 for every $150 spent through the Hy-Vee Kash 4 Kids program. The receipts must be dated during the current school year (Sept. 2016- May 2017) to qualify. Every little bit will add-up!
We have set up our PTO as an organization you can support through AmazonSmile. Once you select us as an organization to support, we will receive 0.5% of the price of your eligible smile.amazon.com purchases. Our unique link can be used to automatically ask to support Washington Elementary PTO. It is: https://smile.amazon.com/ch/90-0542342