GATOR TALES
Grace Abbott Elementary
March 12, 2021
Principal: Dr. Erik Chaussee, epchaussee@mpsomaha.org
Secretary: Cindy Wrenn, clwrenn@mpsomaha.org
About Us
Email: clwrenn@mpsomaha.org
Website: abbott.mpsomaha.org
Location: 1313 N 156th St, Omaha, NE, USA
Phone: 402-715-2900
Facebook: facebook.com/GraceAbbottElementarySchool
Twitter: @MPS_Abbott
NEWS FROM DR. CHAUSSEE
Student Academic Growth Over the Last Year
A question that has been asked is how have our students done over the past year as we are now at the one year “anniversary” of the pandemic closing schools in Millard. There are a lot of measurements to use to measure academic growth but the most consistent one is our MAP testing.
The table below shows a comparison between Abbott and the average MPS elementary school from last school year and the current school year of the winter tests. The second and third columns show our average percentile achievement for all grades. The third and fourth columns show the percentile growth from fall to spring. The last two columns show the percent of students meeting their expected growth. The green shows above average growth. The blue shows substantial growth!
A comparison can be made between Abbott students from winter, 2019 to winter 2020 although not the exact same students, but close to the same. Also, the norms were lowered in 2020 so it was “easier” to be at the 75%ile as an example this year compared to last year. It should be noted that in the fall about 15% of our students were remote learners and in the winter about 9% were remote learners (now, only about 5% are). Remote test taking at home has a somewhat unknown impact on MAP testing.
I will point out one example from the table below (highlighted in yellow). In the winter of 2019, before Covid, our median percentile in math was in the 77th percentile, in other words, the average Abbott student out performed 77% of the same grade level students who took the test throughout the United States. In the winter of 2020, our students were at the 78 percentile. A small growth during Covid. In reading, our scores dropped a little.
NSCAS
Related to the above is this year’s state or NSCAS testing. It will look very different this year. Students in grades 3-5 will take a shorter version of the test in addition to 5th graders taking the science test. It doesn’t look like individual student results will be available, but it’s still undecided at this point. The tests will be used as a pilot for test questions. Remote learners will NOT be taking the test per individual parent request.
OMAHA TAP HOUSE
BOOK FAIR COMING!
SHOW CHOIR CAMPS
Hey Families,
Do you know a current 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader who loves to sing and move? We would love to have them join one of our Millard Show Choir Camps this summer! There are TWO to choose from!!! One at Beadle Middle and one at Millard North Middle! These camps are open to ALL current 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders (kids who WILL be in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade next school year!) Please check out the attached flier for all information. Then you will email klwhisinnand@mpsomaha.org to register your child for Beadle OR llbrown@mpsomaha.org to register your child for Millard North.
ORCHESTRA CAMP
FOOD SERVICE SURVEY
We are asking that you help out Food Service and take a survey of what things children like on the menu and what they don't like.
The Survey link is now open and will close on March 31st.
A link to the survey has been sent to each parent through their Millard email and can also be found here:
MILLARD SCHOOL BOARD 2020
President - Linda Poole
Vice President - Dave Anderson
Secretary - Stacy Jolley
Treasurer - Amanda McGill Johnson
Board Member - Mike Kennedy
Board Member - Mike Pate