PTS News
Portage Township Schools | An Indiana "B" School District!
We encourage our families to read through the article below on Standards-Based grading. You may be noticing 3's and 4's instead of A's and B's on your child's assignments, and this article is great reminder of what the numbers mean and how they are helping your child.
VAPING SYMPOSIUM & INFORMATION NIGHT
LEARN ABOUT THE DANGERS OF VAPING
This informative event will begin with a presentation on how adults can identify vape products and look for signs that their child is vaping. Following the presentation is a panel discussion featuring school staff and community experts who will be discussing the legal ramifications, psychological impacts, and disciplinary consequences of vaping. Participants will leave feeling empowered to have important conversations with their children and students about the dangers of vaping. (*This is an adult-only event.)
Wednesday, Oct 16, 2019, 06:00 PM
Portage High School West Auditorium (Door G)
GRADING IN A HIGH RELIABILITY SCHOOL
Standards-referenced grading allows us to give our students and families a more accurate account of their understanding of each subject's standards. Learning goals, phrased in the form of an "I Can" statement, set realistic and understandable expectations and are posted in each classroom every day. Doing this provides students with an idea of what they will be learning each day and gives them the ability to communicate what they have learned at school. Each learning goal is graded on a 4.0 scale that communicates how well your child understanding each standard.
4.0 - The student knows the skill/concept so well that he or she could explain it to others or apply it to various other situations.
3.0 - The student knows this skill/concept to master the grade-level expectation.
2.0 - The student is still working toward mastering this skill/concept, but is very close to meeting their goal.
1.0 - The student needs additional help to understand this skill/concept.
0.0 - The student does not understand the skill/concept, even with support.
Increments of 0.5 may be used to show progress the student is making from one level to another.
This scale may be used both formally and informally in the classroom. In a formal setting, teachers assign specific tasks for the students to demonstrate their understanding of a learning goal; our teachers can track this data and provide targeted instruction to help students achieve mastery and beyond. In an informal setting, teachers may ask students to hold up the number of fingers that represents their level of understanding of a skill or concept. Doing so allows our teachers to see who may need additional help and who is ready to be further challenged.
CENTRAL HOSTS PEANUT BUTTER DRIVE FOR THE PORTAGE FOOD PANTRY
GOOD NEWS AT PORTAGE
Saylor third grade students win Coin Wars Competition
Saylor Elementary School took on South Haven Elementary School once again in the annual Coin Wars Competition! This year, Saylor Elementary raised the most money for the Portage Backpack Program, so South Haven Elementary principal Mr. Misecko walked to Saylor Elementary to have lunch with the students. The third grade classes at Saylor raised the most money at their school, so Mr. Misecko enjoyed lunch with them and help them duct tape Mr. Zack to the wall at recess as an extra reward. Watch Mr. Misecko's walk from South Haven to Saylor!
Central's AOK Club creates Kindness Rocks
Willowcreek Middle School's Super Spellers
Myers students learn about seeds from Soil & Water Conservation District
The first grade classes at Myers Elementary School recently participated in the S is for Seeds program with the Porter County Soil & Water Conservation District. Students used a magnifying lens to examine and classify different seeds. Then, classes went on a nature walk outside of the school to find seeds from plants and trees. Students were very excited to use their very own magnifying lens to make observations in nature! Great job, everyone!
Jones students practice STEM learning
Willowcreek music students put their new skills to the test
Our Willowcreek Middle School sixth grade band and orchestra students made their debut at their first concert of the school year! The students did a wonderful job showcasing what they have learned during the first quarter of the school year, and we look forward to watching them grow as musicians!
Willowcreek students learn about careers in art
Ms. Arnold and Mrs. Suther's eighth grade art students at Willowcreek Middle School welcomed a virtual guest speaker from Minneapolis last week. The class connected through Google Hangout, and the students were able to ask questions, view his work, and engage in conversation about his career in Advertising and Marketing. What a great start to their unit about Art Careers!
Portage Township Schools
Email: ptscommunications@portage.k12.in.us
Website: www.portage.k12.in.us
Location: 6240 U.S. Highway 6, Portage, IN 46368
Phone: (219)762-6511
Facebook: www.facebook.com/portagetownshipschools
Twitter: @portage_schools