September Newsletter 2021
Memorial Middle School
Parent's Calendar for 2021-2022 School Year
September 3......... No School - Labor Day Break
September 6......... No School - Labor Day Break
September 7-9.......MAP Growth Assessments
October 5..............Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (in person)
October 7..............Fall Parent Teacher Conferences (virtual)
Note from the Principal
MAP Growth®Assessments
Sioux Falls School District
Dear Parent or Guardian:
During the week of September 7-10, your student will take tests called Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP®). We give students MAP tests to determine your student’s instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of reading, math and language usage. Your student will take the tests on a computer.
MAP Growth tests are unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your student’s level of learning. This means that the test becomes more difficult the more questions your student answers correctly. When your student incorrectly answers a question, the test becomes easier. Therefore, your student will take a test specifically created for his or her learning level. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. And with MAP Growth tests, we can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still receiving detailed, accurate information about your student’s growth. Over the next week, your student will spend a total of about two to three hours completing these tests.
Your student’s MAP Growth results will be reported in RIT scores. This is a different type of score than a typical test that provides a percentage correct. It is also different from many tests that provide results based on your student’s score compared to others in his or her grade. Instead, the RIT score is an equal-interval scale, like feet and inches, that is independent of grade level. As a result, we can easily measure growth in learning. This type of score increases the value of the tests as a tool to improve student learning because it enables teachers to recognize where to focus attention for your student’s learning.
Each school year, students in grades kindergarten through eighth take the tests in September, December, and May. Following each testing period, you will receive a report showing your student’s growth.
We are truly excited to begin a new era that focuses on every student’s individual growth and achievement. Partnering to help all kids learn, parents and teachers can have a profound positive effect on the lives of our children.
For more information on resources for parents, download the Parent Toolkit found at https://www.nwea.org/parent-toolkit/
If you have any questions regarding the MAP Assessments, please feel comfortable contacting your student’s PRO-TIme teacher or a Memorial Administrator at 362-2785.
Thank you,
Principal
Memorial Parking Lot Reminders
Dropping off in A.M.
- If you are dropping off at the front doors, please DO NOT PARK along the sidewalk nearest to the school, this is the "drop off lane." Parking in this lane disrupts the flow of traffic, and causes unwelcome delays. If you wish to park for an extended period of time, please pull into the parking lot.
- School doors will open at 8:40am, and the school day starts at 8:55am. We would encourage families to leave extra time in their morning commute for traffic delays that sometimes happen with a school our size.
- If you are dropping students off in the "back" of the school (North Side), please drop off on 22nd street and students can walk from there. Why? This becomes a safety issue when our 10 busses arrive, creating congestion and sometimes frustration. Believe it or not, students don't always stay on the sidewalk or use crosswalks appropriately! Thank you for your attention to this student safety concern.
- Once a student is dropped off at the school, our expectation is that they remain at the school and not make trips to the gas station. This is purely to maintain student safety at all costs!
Picking up after school
- Our school day ends at 3:48pm
- Please avoid parking in handicap spots awaiting your child's dismissal, unless of course you have a license to do so.
Memorial Student Council Sponsored Theme Days
The Memorial Student Council is encouraging all students and staff to dress up on these designated theme days. Let's build up school spirit and our Memorial community!
- Friday, September 10th- Jersey Day
- Friday, September 17th- Tie Dye Day
- Friday, September 24th- Grade Level Color Spirit Day- 6th Grade (Green), 7th Grade (white), 8th Grade (black)
Counselor Connections - September 2021
Counseling Assignments:
Kerri Andela - 6th Grade
Renee Halde - 7th Grade
Alex Dobbs - 8th Grade
Counseling Office Phone # 362-2789 Counselor
Website: http://memorialcounseling.weebly.com
Memorial Student Flu Shot clinic
MUSIC DEPTARTMENT CALENDAR
Contact Us
Office Hours are 7:30 am to 4:30 pm (Monday - Friday)
After Hours: (605) 362-2792
- Press 1 for attendance
- Press 2 to leave a message
Cafeteria: (605) 362-2799
Counseling Office: (605) 362-2789
After School Program: (605) 370-9649
Website: http://www.sf.k12.sd.us/memorial/home
Location: Memorial Middle School, 1401 S Sertoma Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57106, USA
Phone: (605) 362-2785
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MemorialMSSF/
Twitter: @MemorialMSSF