Intermediate News April 4
Update For Intermediate Families From Principal Gene Hoskins
Information on Changes in the 2021 NYS Assessments in Math and ELA and reminders of COVID Precautions
I hope that all of the students and staff members in our Intermediate School community have had the opportunity this spring break to spend quality time with family and loved ones.
COVID Precautions:
I want to remind all Intermediate School parents and students that we must still remain vigilant in following all NYS and CDC COVID -19 protocols. We have seen a rise in recent weeks in the number of Intermediate School students who have have had to quarantine. I am asking all students and staff members to continue to make social distancing, wearing a mask, and washing hands a priority. Following these protocols significantly limits the spread and also the number of students and staff members who have to quarantine when we do have a positive case in school. As cases in our area rise, its important that we all work together so that our students and staff members are safe.
Changes to Grades 3-8 NYS Assessments in ELA and Math:
As we return to school this week we will focused on the upcoming NYS assessments. As you know, all NYS assessments were canceled last year year due to the COVID-19 building closures. This year these assessments are returning, but with some significant changes for this year in response to the ongoing impact of COVID on education. This year NYS has reduced the test significantly, using only the Day 1 multiple choice format for state accountability measures. The number of multiple choice questions is also being reduced as they remove the field test questions normally included on Day 1. The writing portion of the assessment (normally Day 2) will be provided to school districts to be used at their discretion and only for internal review.
Why do we want students to participate in the assessments?
There are several important reasons why we feel it is important that all students participate in these reduced, 1-day assessments:
- Student performance of the assessments will have no negative impact on their grades nor the school in any away.
- These multiple-choice assessments are aligned to the grade-level learning standards in ELA and math. They are an important pieces of data on how your child is doing in meeting these standards relative to other students throughout NYS in their same grade. Teachers use the information from these assessments to help determine what gaps your child may have, and what gaps our instructional program as a whole has. By identifying these gaps, teachers can then adjust their instruction and curriculum to better meet the needs of all of our students.
- Taking the assessments help prepare your child for the important assessments they will face throughout his or her education. Big tests are a part of going to school. They always have been, and they will be a part of your child's future in education through his or her eventual graduation from high school. While the NYS assessments in grades 3-8 do not impact your child's grades or ability to pass a class, as he or she moves into high school courses, these state assessments (NYS Regents exams) must be passed in order to earn the credit for that class. It is my firm belief that one of the best things we can do to prepare students for the high stakes tests in high school is to expose them to taking the NYS ELA and math assessments in grades 3-8. Students need practice in experiencing big tests when younger so that they are not overwhelmed by high-stakes assessments in high school.
What will we need to do for 100% virtual students?
The one-day tests are secure NYS tests, which means they cannot be given anywhere but in school. Parents of our virtual students who want them to take the ELA and math assessments will need to let the school know so that we can make arrangements for their child to take the assessment in school with the rest of our students.
When are these assessments?
The grades 3-8 Math and ELA assessments will be given on the following dates:
- Intermediate School: April 20th
- Junior High School: April 21st (purple cohort) and April 22nd gold (gold cohort)
- Elementary School: April 23rd
Math Assessment:
- Intermediate School: May 4th
- Junior High School: May 5th (purple cohort) and May 6th (gold cohort)
- Elementary School: May 7th
A letter with more information on the NYS ELA and Math Assessments will be mailed to all parents of students in grades 3-8 at the beginning of this school week. After reading this information, please reach out to your child's teacher, School Counselor Mrs. Bucenec, or me with any questions regarding the grades 3-8 assessments.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Bucenec or me if you have questions or concerns for your child. You can contact Mrs. Bucenec, Intermediate School Counselor, through email at mbucenec@soduscsd.org, me through email at ehoskins@soduscsd.org. You can also reach me by phone at school at (315) 483-5206, or on my cell phone in the evening or weekend at (315) 576-7090.
Sincerely,
Gene Hoskins
Sodus Intermediate Principal
Sodus Intermediate School - Principal Gene Hoskins
All digital newsletters for Sodus Intermediate School are posted in the left margin of the Intermediate School page of the Sodus website. The link to the Intermediate school page is listed below.
Traducción al español a través de Google:
Todos los boletines digitales de la Escuela Intermedia Sodus se publican en el margen izquierdo de la página de la Escuela Intermedia del sitio web de Sodus. El enlace a la página de la escuela intermedia se encuentra a continuación.
Email: ehoskins@soduscsd.org
Website: https://www.soduscsd.org/Page/476
Location: 54 Mill Street, Sodus, NY, USA
Phone: (315) 483-5206
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SodusCSD/