Korte Elementary School
May 2022
Korte Elementary Vision Statement: We are a school and community working together, encouraging all students to reach their full potential.
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Philosophy of Discipline for Korte Elementary
We believe in providing consistent and positive instruction that shapes character and develops self-control while promoting a safe environment through accountability and grace.
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Principal's Message
It’s May! We have just under a month of learning remaining. Our Coyotes in grades 3-5 have been doing a great job showing effort during the MAP assessment. We have one more week of testing. Cheer them on and encourage them to keep on doing their best!
Along with all of our learning this month, we have several end of the year events planned for our Coyotes. Please continue to have your child here on time and ready to learn. We have begun our One School One Book event with the fantastic book, A Boy Called Bat. Please see the link to the calendar and daily chapter reading schedule. BatCalendar2022
Summer Success will be June 1-30. Korte, Proctor, and Cassell Park will be together at Cassell Park. We hope to see your children there. Wishing you and your families a wonderful summer.
Ron Alburtus
Principal
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School Hours & Upcoming Dates
SCHOOL HOURS
Students can enter the building at 8:40 am.
School starts at 9:00 am.
School is dismissed at 4:10 pm.
UPCOMING DATES
Reminder - Wednesday folders come home each Wednesday and should be returned on Thursdays. Parents, please be sure to check the folder.
April 18-May 13 - MAP Testing Window
May 9-13 - Korte 5th Grade - School of Economics 3:15-3:45. Our Coyotes can purchase special treats or crafts.
May 12 - Kdg Field Trip to Deanna Rose
May 13 - Kdg Field Trip to Deanna Rose
May 13 - FUN FRIDAY - Korte Trivia Game
May 16 - 1st grade Field Trip to the KC Zoo.
May 18 - 5th grade Field Trip to George Owens Park
May 19 - Early Ed Promotion Program - 4:30-6 pm.
May 20 - Blue Friday
May 20 - FUN FRIDAY - Field Day
May 23 - Egg Drop; Kick Ball; Rain Date for Field Day
May 24 - Water Park - 3rd Grade 10-12; 2nd Grade 1:30-3:30 (Rotary Park is a walking field trip).
May 25 - Water Park - 1st Grade 10-12; 4th Grade 1-3
May 25 - VHHS Legacy Walk
May 26 - Water Park - 5th Grade 10:10-12:10; Kdg 1-3
May 27 - Chromebook Check-in for All; Rain Date for Egg Drop; Kick Ball
May 27 - Last Student Attendance Day - PM 5th Grade Clap-Out
May 30 - Memorial Day - No School
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10 Tips for Parents - Helping your child do well on MAP tests
The Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing window is April 18-May 13. Here are a few tips to help our Coyotes in grades 3-5 be successful all year long.
The Missouri Assessment Program is an annual test for students in grades 3-8. Every spring, students who attend public school and public charter schools in Missouri are tested in English language arts and math. Students in grades 5 and 8 are tested in science. Students in high school take End-of-Course exams in English II, Algebra I, Biology and Government. The tests, taken online, are required by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Parents often ask for advice to help children do well on the MAP tests. The following tips from DESE can help you and your student.
Tip #1: Read, Read, Read!
Reading takes skill and practice. One of the best and simplest steps to improve the reading ability for children is to provide sustained periods of time for children to read.
Tip #2: Help your child to read like a writer.
Even in the early grades, children can begin to "get into the head" of the author. Reading improves a child's writing, and writing improves a child's reading.
Tip #3: Read a variety of books and magazines.
The English language arts test contains short stories, poems, dialogues, magazine articles, charts and tables. Children need to be able to read a wide variety of texts ranging from road signs to restaurant menus, comic books to classics, and from tennis shoe ads to computer manuals.
Tip #4: Build your child's reading stamina.
To build reading stamina, you may wish to encourage your child to increase gradually the amount of time she reads at one sitting. Include short breaks, such as stretching or closing her eyes for a minute. Set individual reading goals based upon doing the "best that she can."
Tip #5: Teach your child that visuals are part of the text.
Students are often required to gather information from photos, captions, drawings, charts and graphs. You can help by teaching your child to look at all of these materials as part of the total text.
Tip #6: Help your child know how to use text-based support in written responses.
Most of the constructed-response items on the MAP assessments have two parts or require children to explain or show how they arrived at their answers. Children will receive only partial credit for answers to questions that are not supported with specific details or that do not contain an explanation.
Tip #7: Teach your child to preview the test before starting.
Planning the test time will allow your child to pace himself while he is working and decrease stress.
Tip #8: Teach your child to identify all parts of a question.
Teach your child to identify exactly what each question is asking. Some questions have multiple parts, which are often combined into a single sentence with a single question mark at the end. The child should underline each question word (who, what, when, where, why, how and any other word or phrase that indicates a question). By doing so, she can see if a question has multiple parts. Not answering all parts of a multi-part question is a common error.
Tip #9: Teach your child to paraphrase test items, turning questions into statements.
Teach your child to turn questions into statements. The child may underline the question words as described above, and then turn each part of the item into a statement. For example, the question, "Why did the main character play with the ball?" could be rephrased as "The main character played with the ball because ..." This practice allows the child to phrase the question in a way that makes the most sense to him. He is then ready to read the passage and look for answers.
Tip #10: What can you do to help your child have a good testing experience?
Be aware of the test schedule. Be sure to find out which days and times students are testing.
Make sure your child gets plenty of rest and a good night’s sleep. Continue going to bed early throughout testing.
Make sure your child eats a good breakfast at home or at school. It helps with concentration and focus.
Be on time for school, and be at school every day during testing. Attendance during MAP tests is important.
Avoid scheduling appointments that can be done at a later date.
Dress your child in layered clothing. This way, he/she may add clothing to get warmer or remove some clothing to be cooler.
Have a positive attitude!
Adapted from the Practical Parenting Partnerships by Laura Schwab and the 2001 MAP Class 6 Team.
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Healthy Snack Suggestions for Our Coyotes
ALL SNACKS MUST BE STORE BOUGHT
Dips - Humus, low-fat yogurt or salsa
Vegetables or fruit
Baked chips, whole grain crackers, with cheese or cheese dip, Sun Chips, Triscuits, Wheat Thins dip
Granola bars
Pretzels, Gold Fish, fruit snacks, graham crackers, animal crackers, Chex Mix, Popcorn
Apple sauce, fruit cups
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Click Below to Find Out What's for Lunch!
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News from the Classroom
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
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Early Childhood
Library/Media
School Counselor
Music
Art
P.E.
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Positive Behavior Intervention Support
PBIS is a national and international initiative that is currently being implemented in over 10,000 schools. Korte is participating in an important district initiative. It is called Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS).
What is Positive Behavior Intervention Support?
PBIS is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. It is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based, school-wide, and classroom behavior support systems. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. Rather than a prescribed program, PBIS provides systems for schools to design, implement, and evaluate effective schoolwide, classroom, non-classroom, and student specific plans. PBIS includes school-wide procedures and processes intended for all students and all staff in all settings. PBIS is not a program or a curriculum. It is a team-based process for systemic problem solving, planning, and evaluation. It is an approach to creating a safe and productive learning environment where teachers can teach and all students can learn.
What is PBIS at our school?
We have adopted a unified set of procedures expected in all common areas. You will see these expectations posted throughout the school. The children have been taught the expectations and were provided time to practice during our January Boot camp the first week of January.
As part of our PBIS process, teachers and other staff members use evidence-based practices to increase student learning and decrease classroom disruptions. To help students follow the procedures in a positive manner, the staff is committed to the following practices when teaching academics and behavior:
Constantly teach and refer to our school-wide expectations.
Acknowledge positive behavior more than the undesired behavior (4 positive to every negative redirect).
Talk to students with respect using positive voice tone.
Actively engage everyone in the class during instruction.
Use pre-correcting, prompting, and redirecting as we teach.
Look for the positive first and provide positive, immediate, frequent, and explicit feedback.
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RECESS POLICIES
Recess offers important time for physical activity and social development. All students are expected to go outside for recess unless the weather is severe. Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the elements. If your child does not have a warm coat, gloves and hat, please contact your Family School Liaison.
Students will not participate in outside activities if the temperature, including heat index, is 95 degrees or above. Students will not participate in outside activities if the temperature, including wind chill, is 15 degrees or lower. Please keep in mind that wind chill, precipitation, playground conditions and other factors will be considered by school staff as they determine if outdoor recess will take place.
If it is necessary for a student to be excused from playground activities or PE, a parent / guardian written statement must be given to the teacher citing the reason. If you have questions or special circumstances, please contact the school principal.
Cold Weather Reminders
About Us
Email: ron_alburtus@isdschools.org
Website: http://sites.isdschools.org/korte
Location: 2437 South Hardy Avenue, Independence, MO, USA
Phone: (816) 521-5430
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KorteElementary/
Twitter: @KorteISD