Mesa Middle School
Spring is Close!!!
Principal's Message
Hello Mesa Families,
At Mesa, we are fortunate enough to have amazing students and a phenomenally supportive community. In April, we begin state testing and in Douglas County, we recognize there are various opinions about CMAS (Colorado's state test).
In Colorado, CMAS data alone is used to rate schools. This rating is what is viewed across the nation and it is our public face. In addition, every school in Colorado has to create an improvement plan based on this data; so the more students that take this assessment, the more students we can impact with the plan we have to create.
As a result of our scores from last year, Mesa is a Performance School (the highest rating a school can receive). However previously Mesa was a Priority Improvement School. The state tells us that if a school remains a Priority Improvement school for a number of years, they could close the school down or change it into a Charter school.
We are doing amazing work at Mesa, and we want our public face to match what is actually taking place. To do so we need everyone’s help. Internally, we have focused on providing additional supports to our students and increasing the rigor or our educational program.
We are asking students to give their best effort on the test because if Mesa does poorly, there can be a negative impact to our school. We truly believe giving our best effort in everything we do is an important value to communicate and pass on to our students.
We are always available to meet or have conversations about the impact of state testing. Please email me or call the school if you have more questions.
Sincerely,
Tony Jackowski
Principal
Mesa Middle School State Assessment: The Why, The How, and The What
State testing is used to evaluate and rate a school. If a school is rated poorly due to low state test scores, there can be negative consequences per the Colorado Department of Education. If a school falls into a Turnaround Plan or Priority Improvement Plan due to low test scores and remains in that status for multiple years, the accountability clock pathways include charter school conversion, school closure, and/or removal of accreditation.
Test Scores and Housing Costs: https://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/19/test-scores-and-housing-costs/
Why?
We can see how a child is performing relative to other students at Mesa Middle School, within the district, and state.
It prepares students for standardized assessments that they will be required to take in high school, college (SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT, etc.) or other vocational programs.
We can make informed decisions and choices for our students. Test data is used by administration and staff to drive instruction/curriculum and professional development choices.
Test data may identify learning gaps that can be addressed.
Identification of districts and schools that have struggling students, so help can be provided.
We want to provide a Balanced Assessment System that includes a variety of formative, interim, and summative assessments.
How are the results used?
As part of a BODY of EVIDENCE, state assessments are used to:
drive instruction for a student
identify targeted interventions
place students in appropriate classes at the middle school level as well as high school
identify gifted and talented students during the identification process
determine effectiveness in regards to instruction and determine whether Mesa’s instructional practices are
effective
What happens with the data?
CDE is committed to ensuring that data on individual students are secure. CDE does not report individual student data to the federal government; the department has strict policies and procedures in place to maintain data security. For more information on data privacy and security please go to: http://www.cde.state.co.us/dataprivacyandsecurity
The results of CMAS are the backbone of the state’s accountability system. The state uses CMAS data to populate the annual school and district performance frameworks which is the result in accreditation ratings for each school and district.
Please contact Tony Jackowski with additional questions.
Excerpts taken from these CDE links: http://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/stateassessmentsandacademicachievement
https://www.cde.state.co.us/communications/cmasfactsheetwhattoexpect20182019
Amazing Mesa Students!!!
More Amazing Mesa Students!!!
National Counseling Week 2019
Mesa's Apple Award Nominees: Mrs. Crystal Sebastian-Johnson and Mrs. Dina Stahl
A Thank You!!!
Polar Plunge 2019
Thank you to everyone who participated or donated to our Polar Plunge team! As many of you know, this year we plunged in memory of Adam Moffitt, a former Mesa unified athlete. His sister posted this message on Facebook...
"These incredible people participated in the Polar Plunge in honor of my brother this year. We are so thankful that Adam had an impact on so many people in his short life and that his life was impacted by so many amazing individuals who filled his life with love. I know Adam is laughing at his photos attached to all of these plungers! It means so much to our family that Adam's memory lives on in so many loving hearts. Thank you for this beautiful act of love."
Special Education Advisory Committee Shining Star Nominations
The Douglas County Special Education Advisory Committee (DCSEAC) is currently accepting nominations from parents and students for Shining Star recognition for any staff member for their outstanding service and care for students eligible for special education services. Please share this link with your parent community and encourage them to nominate!
Supporting Others
Rock Ridge/Mesa Archery Program
The Rock Ridge/Mesa Archery program has had a successful season so far, placing 2nd over all in the state in the team division. In addition, three archers qualified for the National Competition that will be held in Utah this April. Congratulations to Calleigh Keller (2nd over all womens division in the state), Nathan Wygant (6th over all mens division), and Quinn Catbagan (10th overall mens division).
We are also raffling off an Edge SB-1 (7-70lb draw weight, 15-30 "draw length) archery bow from Diamond Archery. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20, these may be purchased at the front office at Rock Ridge Elementary during school hours. Last day to purchase tickets is March12th, we will be announcing the winner on March 13th.
UNIFIED BASKETBALL: MESA vs. SAGEWOOD
Color Guard practicing for an upcoming competition!!!
Parents and Guardians thank you for attending out Student Led Conferences!!!!
Yet Again, More Amazing Students;
IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS!!!
03/12/19- NJHS Induction Ceremony 6:00 pm 03/13/19- Music Showcase - Choir Concert 6:30 pm 03/14/19- Math Night 5:30 - 7:00 pm 03/18/19- Spring Break - No School March 18 – 22, 2019 03/27/19-2019 8th grade Mandatory Parent Mtg NYC/DC Trip 5-6:00pm in Rm-D201 03/27/19-Mesa MS PTO Meeting 5:30 pm 03/29/19- 3 on 3 Basketball tournament 3:00 - 5:00 pm 03/29/19- Club Friday (Assembly Schedule) 04/02/09- Ecuador Get Together 5:30 - 6:30 pm 04/02/19- Mesa SAC MTG (Mesa Library) 5:00 - 6:30 pm 04/05/19-End of Second 6 Week Grading Period for Second Semester 04/08/19-CMAS Testing (8th Grade & Entire Grizzly Team) 04/09/19- CMAS Testing 7th Grade 04/10/19- CMAS Testing (8th Grade & Entire Grizzly Team) 04/11/19- CMAS Testing 7th Grade 04/15/19- CMAS Testing (8th Grade & Entire Grizzly Team) 04/16/19- CMAS Testing 7th Grade 04/17/19- CMAS Testing Science 04/18/19-Movie Night 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm 04/19/19- No School- Teacher Comp Day 04/22/19 - 04/26/19- CMAS Make Up Testing Window 04/23/19- 8th Grade Panoramic Picture @ 9:06 am 04/24/19- Mesa PTO Mtg 5:30 pm @ Mesa Library 04/26/19- Club Friday (Assembly Schedule) 04/26/19- Sock Dance 3:00 - 4:30 pm