LVES Weekly
A weekly newsletter for LVES Parents
April 29, 2016 - Issue 33
Teacher Appreciation Week - Dr. Seuss Style...
Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week! This is a time to say thank you to our teachers for all they do for our students. We have come up with a daily theme with some ideas that you can participate in to show your appreciation for your child’s teacher(s).
· Monday – “Hats Off to My Teacher” – decorate the attached hat and write a short note to your teacher
· Tuesday – “Hop on Popcorn” – popcorn bar for the teachers in the conference room *provided by PTO*
· Wednesday – “Pink Yink Ink Drink” – bring your teacher his or her favorite drink! Gift cards work too!!
· Thursday –“Fiffer-Feffer Flower” – bring your teacher a flower!
· Friday –“Biffer Baum Boxed Lunch” – Subway lunch for the teachers *provided by PTO*
I know I am a little...ok, a LOT...biased, but I think our teachers are ROCKSTARS!
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Our wonderful ESL parents have planned a very tasty treat for us on Thursday, May 5th in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. A letter will be going home today that will include some of the foods being prepared on Tuesday. If your child has any food allergies, please let your child’s teacher know. Thank you to our wonderful ESL parents for this yummy treat!
Special Olympics Battlin' Billie Challenge Track Meet Results
Here are the results:
- Hailey - 2nd place 50m run, 3rd place mini javelin throw
- Rowdy - 1st place mini javelin throw; 1st place 50m run
- Cameron - 2nd place 25m assisted walk; 3rd place softball throw
Congratulations to Hailey, Rowdy and Cameron for placing in multiple events! A big thank you to all of the Special Olympic coaches and volunteers for preparing our athletes.
Transportation Changes Reminders
Spring STAAR Tests
Teachers have been busy teaching, encouraging, and preparing our students for the Spring STAAR and STAAR/EOC (End-of-Course) examinations. Our hope is that LVISD students will knock the socks off of these assessments…and we have prepared them to do just that! As we prepare for the main round of spring testing, we want to share some important information to make sure our parents are well-informed to help ensure that our students do their very best.
The Importance of Attendance on State Assessment Days
It is very important that students are present on state assessment days and that they come prepared to do their very best! Remember, in many cases, state assessments are a part of satisfying grade level or graduation requirements.
In grades 5 and 8, students must pass the math and reading portions of the STAAR to be promoted. School districts are required by state rule to administer three (3) testing opportunities for students who fail to meet satisfactory performance on these assessments. A student who does not pass the tests may advance to the next grade only if:
- the student has completed required accelerated instruction (tutoring); and
- the student’s grade placement committee, established at the student’s campus, determines by unanimous decision that the student is likely to perform at grade level at the end of the next year.
Also, high school students must pass the five (5) End-of-Course exams in order to graduate. Students who are unsuccessful on the first try have multiple STAAR/EOC retest opportunities throughout the year.
Finally, it is important to remember that attendance on state assessment days also impacts your school’s accountability rating! A student not participating in required testing affects the campus’s accountability ratings by lowering the school’s participation and passing rates. When a campus’s accountability ratings go down, the entire community is affected.
If an absence is unavoidable, please remember that there are makeup opportunities for STAAR and STAAR/EOC examinations. If a student is sick, please make sure that he/she is symptom free without medicine before sending him/her to school. We definitely don’t want others getting sick!
STAAR Testing Schedule
We appreciate parents and families helping us maintain a quiet and productive testing environment by remembering that campuses will have limited visitors on these dates.
Monday, May 2
STAAR EOC Algebra (High School Only)
Monday, May 3
STAAR EOC Biology
Wednesday, May 4
STAAR EOC US History, STAAR EOC Algebra I (Middle School Only)
Thursday, May 5
STAAR EOC Makeups
Monday, May 9
STAAR 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th Math; 2nd Administration for 5th & 8th Math
Tuesday, May 10
STAAR 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th Reading; 2nd Administration 5th & 8th Reading
Wednesday, May 11
STAAR 5th & 8th Science
Thursday, May 12
STAAR 8th Social Studies
Friday, May 13
STAAR Makeups
How Families Can Help Students Prepare for STAAR
STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) testing season can be an anxious time for some students. There are several things that parents and families can do to reduce the stress and uneasiness that students can sometimes feel before a test:
Have conversations about the test.
Make sure to discuss the test openly and in a positive way with your children. Always encourage them to do the best work possible. However, don't pressure them. Students should be at ease about taking the test, not stressed out. Ask your children how they are preparing for the test and how you can help them to prepare. Reassure them by telling them that you are proud of their effort.
Ask your kids if they experience test-taking anxiety and tell them that it's normal.
Remind students to stay positive during the test and to think positive thoughts like, "I can do this!" Tell your children if they are feeling stressed or freeze up, take a few deep breaths or imagine a peaceful place like the beach or park. If you are anxious about the test, don't let them know it.
Have realistic expectations about their performance while encouraging their best efforts.
Emphasize that the test is only one measure of academic performance and does not determine a person's intelligence or worth. Tell your children that you will love them just the same no matter how they do on their test, but that it is important to do their best.
Go over the following test-taking tips with your kids:
- Follow all written/verbal instructions and read each question carefully.
- Identify key words and underline and highlight them.
- Rephrase difficult questions - rewrite it in words that are easier for you to understand.
- Eliminate answers you know are wrong. If you have to guess, the process of elimination increases your chances of guessing correctly.
- Don't change your first answer unless you are pretty sure it was wrong. Most studies show that the first answer is usually correct.
- Don't get stuck on one question. Skip it and come back to it later.
- Answer every question, even if you have to guess.
- Make sure all your answers have been transferred from your test booklet to your answer sheet correctly.
- Use all your time. If you have extra time, go over your answers.
- If you feel nervous, take a few moments to relax. Take some deep breaths and clear your mind.
Take steps to prepare the day night before.
Have a relaxing evening the night before the test and use this time to provide your children with some extra words of comfort and encouragement. Help them prepare everything that they will need for the exam the night before — pencil, tissues, etc. Make sure students get to bed early enough and gets a good night’s sleep. Adequate rest does make a difference! If your child is a restless sleeper, take him/her to do something active earlier in the day. Be sure to set the alarm early enough to allow for a morning that isn’t rushed.
On the test day, make sure your child is rested, eats a good breakfast, and arrives to school on time.
Know testing dates and be sure to not schedule appointments for those days. In addition to making sure they get a good night’s sleep, make sure students eat a healthy breakfast. Nutrition influences how well children do on a test and the brain needs lots of energy to maintain focus. Foods such as eggs, cereal, fresh fruits, and whole-wheat toast help to energize the brain. Avoid foods that contain lots of sugar and caffeine like soda, donuts, and other fatty junk foods. Send them off to school wearing comfortable clothing.
We Appreciate You!
We are mindful that the STAAR and STAAR/EOC exams are merely a one time, single measure of what our outstanding staff members have been doing to help all of our amazing students learn, develop, and achieve all year. However, it is important that we all work together to help ensure that our students are present on assessment days and that they feel prepared, confident, and ready to put forth their best effort. Parents, thank you for letting us educate your precious children and we appreciate your help in making sure our students do their very best!
For more information on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) assessment program, please view additional Assessment Resources for Students and Parents by visiting http://tea.texas.gov/student.assessment/parents/.
School Supplies On Sale
If your child is moving to Lago Vista Intermediate School next year (this year's current 3rd and 4th grade students), you will be able to purchase pre-ordered school supplies too. I am attaching the order form to the newsletter.
Lost and Found is FULL
Mother/Son "Rock Around the Clock" is in two weeks!!
Tickets are now on sale for this event, so check your child's Friday folder today for more information.
Yearbook Information
Dyslexia Support Meeting
LVISD Monthly Character Trait...
How are you showing Gratitude? Read the Counselor's Corner to find out what students are learning about how to be responsible with Ms. Box.
Counselor's Corner
Gratitude is our character trait for May. We will kick off the month with Teacher Appreciation Week as we learn what gratitude is and how we can show others we are thankful for them.
We will be discussing the following aspects of GRATITUDE this month:
· Say thank you for the things that you receive
· Think about what you are thankful for and why
· Show others how nice it feels to be remembered and appreciated by someone
· Write thank you cards
· Enjoy giving back
· Understand that you are not owed things; you earn them
Watch DOGS
- Monday, May 2nd - Chris Hood
- Tuesday, May 3rd - Kyle Bandow
- Wednesday, May 4th - Craig McClendon
- Thursday, May 5th - Tony Reynolds
- Friday, May 6th - OPEN
Weekly Attendance Rate
- 96%
Our weekly attendance goal is 97%.
Need Help?
Christine Harris, Administrative Assistant
christine_harris@lagovista.txed.net
Registration and Attendance:
Veronica Fidencio, Registrar/Attendance Clerk
veronica_fidencio@lagovista.txed.net
Student Emotional Support:
Kim Box, Counselor
Student Health:
Gina Carmichael, School Nurse
gina_carmichael@lagovista.txed.net
Discipline and School Improvement:
Michelle Jackson, Principal
michelle_jackson@lagovista.txed.net
Eric Holt, Assistant Principal
Upcoming Events
- May 5th - Cinco de Mayo Food Tasting
- May 9th - STAAR Math test for all 3rd and 4th Grade Students - limited visitors please
- May 10th - STAAR Reading test for all 3rd and 4th Grade Students - limited visitors please
- May 10th - 2nd Grade Field Trip to Sweet Berry Farms
- May 10th - Life Skills Field Trip to HIll Country Science Museum
- May 11th - Dyslexia Support Meeting, 5:30-6:30 pm in Viking Hall
- May 13th - PTO Mother/Son Rock Around The Clock Sock Hop, 7:00-9:00 pm
- May 18th - 4th Grade Field Trip to Symphony
- May 20th - Field Day for 3rd and 4th Grades
- May 20th - Ocean Week Opening Ceremonies - 2:00 pm in cafeteria
- May 23rd - 27th - OCEAN WEEK 2016
- May 24th - 4th Grade Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns
- May 24th - 3rd Grade Field Trip to Balcones Canyonlands
- May 26th - 1st Grade Field Trip to Crowe's Nest Farms
- May 26th - Learning Showcase, 5:30-7:00 pm
- May 30th - Memorial Day Holiday, No School for Students and Staff
- June 1st - Early Dismissal at 11:30, no pm PPCD or pm Pre-K classes
- June 1st - Faculty vs. 3rd Grade Kick Ball Game, 8:30 am
- June 2nd - Last Day of School, Early Dismissal at 11:30, no pm PPCD or pm Pre-K classes
- June 2nd - Farewell Walk for 3rd and 4th Grade Students, 11:00 am
- June 2nd - Faculty vs. 4th Grade Kick Ball Game, 8:30 am