Where's Walden
9-23-16
#wal109
You may also "like" the Walden Facebook page to see other great footage of our building!
General Message about Assessments
On a regular basis, we ask ourselves four questions when it comes to teaching and student learning:
1. What is it we want students to know?
2. How will we know if they know it?
3. How will we respond when some students do not learn?
4. How will we respond when some students have already mastered the intended learning?
We give various assessments - some formal and some informal - that provide us answers to these questions...the first of which were taken in the past few weeks called MAP (Measurement of Academic Progress).
MAP Reports Coming Home
MAP Reports
MAP reports are being mailed home via US Postal Service today. While there is an informational letter accompanying the MAP reports, you may also click here to see a video explaining how to understand the data presented for you. Please note that a small dip in progress from the Spring assessments last year (for our 1st - 5th graders) is somewhat normal due to summer regression. Our students recoup very quickly.
I have shared this document many times in the past that explains “The Why?” of the various assessments we give each year (it will obviously be new for our kindergarten and other new families). Feel free to review it to get a sense of the rationale and importance the MAP reports provides us.
If you have any questions about your child's MAP report you may contact your child's teacher or me - we'll be happy to help you understand it, should a question arise.
Our New SMART Lab
I should mention that the schedule we have in place for the lab is structured in a way that provides access for one 3rd, one 4th, and one 5th grade class at a time on a six day rotation. Thus, not all 3-5 students have had access to the lab yet. Over the course of the year, our 3rd and 4th graders will be in the lab equal amounts of time at 34 days; just under 6 full cycles and our 5th graders will be in the lab 45 days; just under 8 cycles. The difference between grades is based on the three sections in 5th grade and four sections in 3rd and 4th grades.
Over time, our younger students may get the opportunity to access the lab, too. And lastly, I want to thank our PTO again and again for the opportunities they have given to our kids due to their commitment to fund the SMART Lab.
PPS Event - 3rd Posting
Upcoming Dates
9/23 - MAP Reports sent home via US Mail
10/3 - No School - Rosh Hashanah
10/6 - 2nd Grade Field Trip - Grossman - 9-10 AM/Fraboni - 10-11AM/Castro - 1-2 PM
10/10 - No School - Columbus Day
10/11 - No School - Teacher Institute Day
10/12 - No School - Yom Kippur
10/26 - Halloween Band Concert/SMS - 7:00 pm
10/31 - Halloween Festivities (more information to come)
Connect with Walden!
Email: sschwartz@dps109.org
Website: http://walden.dps109.org/
Location: 630 Essex Court, Deerfield, IL, United States
Phone: 847-945-9660
Facebook: facebook.com/waldenelementaryschool
Twitter: @109walden