Riverside Roadrunner
March 2019
News from Dr. Holcomb
School Goals
Our students and teachers continue to work hard during their Literacy blocks. Students are participating in Literacy Rounds focused on the areas of Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Vocabulary, Fluency, Comprehension and Writing. Whole group instruction focuses on our Standards while the small group is more tailored to student's learning needs based on their FAST, Lexia, classroom and District assessments. Once students leave the teacher table they are working on lesson extensions to help support their learning. Our teachers have been working hard to align their instruction to the needs of our students. We appreciate your partnership in the work you are doing with them at home as well!
ELPA testing
The time for the ELPA 21 testing is quickly approaching. Students in our ELL programs will be taking the ELPA21 test March 18th-March 29th. It is required that we assess all of our students who are in our ELL programs as well as any students who have waived services. Students in grades K-5 will be taking tests on the computer in the areas of Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing.
What can parents do to help their child do well on the tests?
· Make sure students are to school on time
· Have your child dress comfortably
· Stick to normal bedtime and breakfast routines
· Be a positive cheerleader as they prepare each day
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Thank you for attending your child’s parent/teacher conferences earlier this week. We appreciate being able to partner with you to help your child be successful in school. We had a great turn out! We will be connecting with parents who were unable to attend during our scheduled days/times.
SAVE THE DATE: Kindergarten Registration--Monday, April 15th
District News
District and School Climate Survey
Every voice matters in Sioux City Community Schools. That’s why we need to hear from all parents and guardians in our District and School Climate Survey, which is coming in February
Parents should check their email for an invitation and survey link and will be able to take the survey in English or Spanish.
The survey asks for feedback on student and academic support, safety and behavior, school leadership, and family involvement. We will use the results to better understand our needs, determine our strengths, and identify opportunities for improvement.
All survey responses are strictly confidential. The district has partnered with independent research and communications firm K12 Insight to administer the survey and compile the results. No one from the district will know who participates or how they respond. Watch for more details to come!
New Iowa Statewide assessment of Student Progress
Why a NEW version of the assessment?
Legislators passed House File 2235 during the last legislative session, which now requires all Iowa schools to give a new assessment called the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP). The new assessment is aligned with the grade-specific Iowa Core Standards, which means the ISASP more accurately reflects student understanding of the information currently being taught in our schools.
Who will take the assessment?
Students in grades 3 – 11 will take the reading, language and writing, and math assessments.
Students in grades 5, 8, and 10 will also take the science assessment.
Why is this assessment given?
In Iowa and in the Sioux City Community School District, the curriculum taught to students is aligned to the Iowa Core Standards. It is important to assess how well students understand the information taught in our schools. Therefore, ISASP will assess each student’s demonstrated knowledge and understanding of grade-specific content.
How will students take the assessment?
Students will take the assessment online.
What should parents/guardians know about the new assessment?
· Results are received quicker.
· Previous assessments relied heavily on multiple-choice questions. The new assessment will evaluate students’ skills using a mix of technology-enhanced questions, including open-ended essay questions.
· Today’s technology-enhanced questions provide greater insights into learning than previous assessments, which were formatted primarily with multiple-choice questions.
· The new assessment will provide parents/guardians with actionable information about their child’s learning.
· Over time, parents will also be able to access year-over-year analysis of how their child performed from one year to the next.
How can parents/guardians help prepare students for the assessment?
Practice tests are available online at http://iowa.pearsonaccessnext.com/test-prep/. Parents/guardians can help prepare students for testing by reviewing the practice tests online. Throughout the school year, and especially during testing periods, parents/guardians can ensure optimal student performance by making sure children get enough sleep, eat a good breakfast, and arrive to school on time. Most importantly, encourage students to try their best.
¿Por qué hay una NUEVA versión de la evaluación?
Los legisladores aprobaron el Archivo 2235 de la Cámara de Representantes durante la última sesión legislativa, que ahora requiere que todas las escuelas de Iowa realicen una nueva evaluación llamada Evaluación del Progreso Estudiantil del Estado de Iowa (ISASP). La nueva evaluación concuerda con los Estándares Básicos de Iowa específicos para cada grado, lo que significa que el ISASP refleja con mayor precisión la comprensión de los estudiantes de la información que actualmente se enseña en nuestras escuelas.
¿Quiénes tomarán la evaluación?
Los estudiantes en los grados 3 - 11 tomarán las evaluaciones de lectura, lenguaje y escritura, y matemáticas.
Los estudiantes en los grados 5, 8 y 10 también tomarán la evaluación de ciencias.
¿Por qué se da esta evaluación?
En Iowa y en el Distrito Escolar de la Comunidad de Sioux City, el currículo que se enseña a los estudiantes concuerda con los Estándares Básicos de Iowa. Es importante evaluar qué tan bien los estudiantes entienden la información que se enseña en nuestras escuelas. Por lo tanto, ISASP evaluará el conocimiento demostrado y la comprensión de cada estudiante del contenido específico a su grado.
¿Cómo tomarán la evaluación los estudiantes?
Los estudiantes tomarán la evaluación en línea.
¿Qué deben saber los padres/guardianes acerca de esta nueva evaluación?
· Los resultados se recibirán más rápido.
· Las evaluaciones previas se basaron considerablemente en preguntas de elección múltiple. La nueva evaluación evaluará las habilidades de los estudiantes utilizando una mezcla de preguntas aumentadas con tecnología, incluyendo preguntas abiertas de ensayo.
· Las preguntas de la tecnología mejorada de hoy día proveen una mejor comprensión del aprendizaje que las evaluaciones previas, que eran escritas principalmente con preguntas de elección múltiple.
· La nueva evaluación proveerá a los padres/guardianes información útil acerca del aprendizaje de sus hijos.
· Con el tiempo, los padres también tendrán acceso al análisis de año tras año, de cómo se desempeña su hijo de un año al siguiente.
¿Cómo pueden los padres/guardianes apoyar a sus estudiantes para prepararlos?
Los exámenes de práctica están disponibles en línea al http://iowa.pearsonaccessnext.com/test-prep/. Los padres/guardianes pueden ayudar a preparar a los estudiantes para los exámenes por medio de repasar los exámenes de práctica en línea. Durante el año escolar, y especialmente durante el periodo de los exámenes, los padres/guardianes pueden asegurar el rendimiento mejor, por supervisar que sus niños duerman lo suficiente, desayunen bien, y lleguen a la escuela a tiempo. Lo más importante es de animarlos a que hagan lo mejor posible.
Important Dates
Mar. 1st NO SCHOOL
Mar. 4 9:00-11:00 3rd, 4th, 5th to Sioux City Symphony
Mar. 5 5:30 PTO Meeting
Mar. 6 Riverside Pizza Ranch Night (4-8:30)
Mar. 7 3:45 Kindness Club
Mar. 8 11:40 5th grade to NAIA game-Tyson Event Center
Mar. 21 Spring Pictures
Mar. 25 6:00 K/1 Music Program; 6:45 2/3 Music Program
Mar. 26 6:00 4th/5th grade Orchestra Concert-West High
Mar. 28 Riverside/Liberty Rollerama Night
Apr. 2 5:30 PTO meeting
Apr. 4 3:45 Kindness Club
Apr. 15 Kindergarten Registration for Fall 2019
Apr. 15 NO SCHOOL for our current Kindergarten only
Apr. 18-Apr. 22 Spring Break NO SCHOOL
Apr. 29 6:00 Riverside and Liberty Rollerama Night
Free Breakfast Schedule
Mayflower Church
1407 W. 18th St, 258-8278
4th Saturday of the month
9:00 am: Select frozen foods and breads to take home
9:30-10:30am: Tasty hot breakfast with fruit, beverages,
meat, cereal, PBJ
February 23, 2019
March 23, 2019
April 27, 2019
Riverside Elementary School
Website: siouxcityschools.org/riverside
Location: 2303 Riverside Boulevard, Sioux City, IA, USA
Phone: 712-279-6811
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Riverside-Elementary-School-273195942712223/
Twitter: @riversidek5