APS Weekly Newsletter
August 11th, 2023
⭐August 11: ALL kids return for the school year!
⭐August 14-31: K-5th Grade Istation Reading and Math ISIP
⭐August 14-31: 6th-12th Grade ALEKS Initial Knowledge Check
⭐August 14-31: 6th-8th Lexia Reading Placement
⭐August 21-31: 3rd-8th Grade iMSSA BOY complete
⭐September 4: No School for Labor Day
⭐September 20-22: CFA #1
⭐September 28-29: Parent Teacher Conferences (NO school for students)
23-24 Beginning of the Year Professional Development Survey
2023-2024 Licensure Cohort
Tech Tip from Jessica Lopez
🗓️Assessment Alley with Carrie Rowe📝
ECOT
The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) requires all preschool students to be assessed using the ECOT observation tool within the first 30 instructional days. ECOT training and the refresher course are available in the Canvas learning management systems as self-paced course modules. New preschool teachers must complete the new staff course and returning teachers must complete the refresher course before assessing students within the first 30 days of instruction. PED is no longer requiring the use of ECOT for kindergarten students. Please direct questions regarding this ECED requirement Cassandra Carrasco at cassandra.carrasco@ped.nm.gov.
WIDA Screener for English Learner Identification
The WIDA Screener for Kindergarten and the WIDA Screener for grades 1-12 are the only PED-approved English language proficiency screening assessments. These screening assessments are part of the English learner identification process for K-12th grade students entering public education for the first time. Please contact Vanessa Vander Galien at vanessa.vandergalien@ped.nm.gov with questions on the ELL identification process and the WIDA Screeners.
Dyslexia Screening for First Grade
Per Senate Bill 22-13-31 NMSA 1978, all first-grade students must be screened for dyslexia by the 40th day of school and within two weeks of initial enrollment for students new to New Mexico. The screeners remain the same as last year:
• Teach Me to Read (English screener, printable PDF)
Carrie has sent the screener copies to graphics and the copies will be delivered to your first grade team. Please note: it is required to do BOTH levels/sections of the screener. We do NOT stop if they pass level 1. The scoring spreadsheet will go out to campuses next week.
🆘Center of Excellence🆘
APS Center of Excellence! Your ONE-STOP shop!
🗣️Let's Talk🗣️
Let’s Talk! is an online customer service solution that makes it easy for you to communicate with Alamogordo Public Schools. Find answers to FAQs 24/7, send feedback, or speak/text with an APS staff member during regular business hours at 575-812-8573. Have questions? We have answers, Let's Talk!