Coming up at Arno…
April 11
5th grade MSTEP window begins per schedule
Teacher Eval committee meeting 3:30 (Solak)
April 12
Data Team Meeting 8:30
Fire Drill A.M.
April 13
Kinder training with Mrs. Sturock all day
PBIS meeting 3:45
April 14
DRA DNA Training in lab
K-1 8:30-11:00
2-3 12:30-3:00
Skating Party 6:00
April 15
4th Grade Teachers science in-service @Riley all day
Steve Out
M-STEP
As I stated in an earlier email, the state is sending a rep to view our implementation of the MSTEP test. I am confident that this is only procedural as we are a well prepared staff and we will be a great example on getting the job done.
That said, are things that are certainly very critical to success:
- The test admin booklet, which contains the script, will need to be followed word for word, as the state expects.
- Teacher proximity in motion is expected to be happening at all points during the test, please do not check papers, email, etc.
- Be sure that your test administrator checklists have been read
- Be sure students know their responsibilities, and what to do when they are done
- Be sure the classroom set up is such that it discourages wandering eyes
- All content relating to testing must be taken down or well covered before the test starts.
- Know your plan on what to do with kids who are taking a long time beyond most kids (They should Pause- exit test) and come to me to finish if you are in an ending session
- All students need to have a book that they may refer to when they finish
- Be sure all students who leave their computer for the bathroom, drink, etc, MUST put their screen into PAUSE mode for test security reasons (remember it times out in 20 minutes)
- Be sure to report all issues quickly to the office or my cell 586-610-0240
- Do NOT take a screen shot to send to John or anyone else if you are having an issue- it is considered secure material on the screen.
All student “tickets” need to returned daily at the conclusion of testing
M-STEP Mathematics
New and Improved Equation Builder: The Equation Builder used last year in the Spring 2015 online administration of the M-STEP mathematics test has been replaced with a new and improved Keypad Input, also referred to as the Equation Keypad.
• The Keypad Input allows for the entry of numbers, expressions, equations, etc., but does not perform any actual computations. Students can also enter numbers using their keyboard, but alpha characters cannot be entered.
• The Keypad Input buttons will vary according to required components of an item. Any necessary variable(s) will be included on the Keypad.
• Computations are to be performed using the online calculator associated with items that are calculator-permitted.
• Some items will have both the Keypad Input and a calculator. Other items will have either the Keypad Input or the calculator. Some items will have neither. (Continued on next page)
Some PTA news…
At Thursday’s PTA meeting, a new board was elected for our Arno PTA.
Congratulations to
Jeni Sauve- President
Amy Muse- Vice President of fundraising
Julie Hegedus- Treasurer
Shannon Mihalik Secretary
We look forward to working with our new Board on all of the exciting things our PTA does for our students!
Also, please remember that the Skating Party is next Thursday, April 14 at 6:00. tickets are still on sale t
Data Day
Our next Data Day will be coming up on April 25th- somewhat delayed from the 3rd Q, but we have many grade level days out in the meantime.. NWEA and DRA will not be done yet, but June gets pretty crazy and I am not sure we can squeeze another day in, so we will use whatever data you have that is current.
April 21- This is the day I will take your rooms. Schedule is below
MATH ASSESSMENT DATA TIME (Bring your class to the gym)- April 21
The schedule is as follows:
3rd Grade: 8:35-9:20
5th Grade: 9:30-10:15
4th Grade: 10:25-11:10
Kindergarten: 12:15-12:50
1st Grade: 1:00-1:45
2nd Grade: 1:50-2:35
Data Day- April 25
What To Bring:
- 3rd Quarter Math Assessments
- Other…
The schedule is as follows:
8:45-9:30 Grade 3
9:-35-10:15 Grade 5
10:20-11:05 Grade 2
11:10-11:55 Grade 4
12:45-1:30 Grade 1
1:45-2:30 Grade K
March Reading
Thanks to everyone for all of your hard work and dedication to making March a memorable month for our young readers. Your doors, the activities, pictures, logs, bingo, and everything else surely made this a great month long event. Fantastic job!
Report Cards will be sent home on Friday, April 15
Report Card window is open until April
School Improvement
The SIP team continues to move forward in completion of our plan. The Data team will be meeting next week to work on the data analysis portion, which will then move into reviewing our goals and strategies. I strongly encourage everyone to become involved with the process, even if it’s just coming to a meeting. The QAR visit will be in October, we will all be part of that either in a direct way, or just have a team member in your room observing. We will keep you posted with all of the information you need, but becoming involved is the best way to keep current. The next SIP meeting is April 19th
Retention
Now that we are heading towards the end of the year, the issue of possible retention for some students has surfaced. As many of you may have heard, research indicates that retention is not a viable strategy. Meeting to put in place a structured intervention plan for the following school year, in the next grade level, aligns more with our MTSS plans and helping students succeed, not to mention the social-emotional benefits of remains with your classmates. That said, I will certainly sit with all of you and review your thoughts on students that may be on the bubble, but there will need to be enough data evidence and lack of progress to show that retention would be of benefit, beyond an intense intervention plan. Please see me as we go through the next few months to review any students you strongly feel should be retained.
Some research:
http://educationbythenumbers.org/content/new-research-failing-students_2034/
http://intranet.niacc.edu/pres_copy(1)/ILC/The_Retention_Debate.pdf
http://www.ascd.org/ASCD/pdf/journals/ed_lead/el_199005_shepard.pdf
Enjoy some camp pics…
Fire Drill
We will be having our next fire drill on the 12th in a.m. The time will be random to get a more realistic view of what happens when the alarm goes off.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR – KINDERGARTEN ROUND UP
at Arno, Bennie and Lindemann Elementary
MONDAY, MAY 9, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.
*Children who are five years of age by September 2 thru December 1 may only be enrolled for kindergarten at the request of the parent/guardian through a signed waiver process. Waiver form is available at the Riley Education Center.
Allen Park Elementary Honor Choir Concert
Congratulations to all of our talented singers in the Allen Park Elementary Honor Choir for a beautiful concert this past Tuesday evening. Their voices sounded like angels as they alternated with the chime choir from Lindemann. Congratulations also to Tracy Hoffman for his dedication in working with our kids after school to develop all of their talent to build up to a successful concert!
Daddy Daughter Dance Coming Up
Please see the flyer below for information on the Daddy Daughter Dance
#LOVEMYSCHOOLDAY
April 11 http://leadlearner2012.
STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS
If you are a currently working at a district school you may qualify for student loan forgiveness programs. The Teacher Forgiveness program was introduced and designed to help teachers, while allowing them to continue their careers as educators. Participation in the program will reduce your principal, and after ten years, any balance that remains is completely forgiven.
We will help you through the application process, determine your eligibility and prepare all necessary documents. Even if you aren’t a teacher you may still qualify for some form of forgiveness, all it takes is a phone call to find out.
(855) 231-0032
9:00am – 8:00pm EST Weekdays
9:00am – 1:00pm EST Saturday
PBIS SURVEY
Part of our PBIS Grant is the completion of a year-end survey about the program. Please take some time this week to complete this short survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/
EDUCATOR OPEN HOUSE
Hello educators,
We at The Henry Ford are inviting you and your colleagues to this year’s Spring Educator Open House on Saturday, April 16, 2016! This year Educators receive FREE admission for you and one additional guest to Henry Ford Museum & Giant Screen Theater. If you attend one of our “Must-See Viewing Sessions” in the theater you will receive free admission to Greenfield Village and the Ford Rouge Factory Tour as well.
“Must-See Viewing Sessions”
* The Henry Ford staff will speak about the newly re-designed Giant Screen Theater, its features, our Teacher’s Choice program, and how to tie it all together on a field trip. Then sit back and enjoy Deepsea Challenge 3D at9:00AM and/or National Parks 3D at 10:00AM
* Sensory Friendly Screenings! Come experience a Sensory Friendly Screening of one of our newest films, Watermelon Magic at 11:05 AM. With a Sensory Friendly Screening the lights are turned up and the sound is turned down to create a more comfortable, enjoyable experience for people with autism and other sensory issues/special needs creating an environment of flexibility and acceptance for anyone unable to sit down for the entire film. Sensory Friendly Screenings will now be an option that can be applied to Teacher’s Choice selections.
Sessions will begin at least 10 minutes before the showtimes.
Other long-standing favorite resources and new programs from The Henry Ford will be highlighted at a “fair” of “Learn More Stations” in Henry Ford Museum.
Please visit our webpage to learn more about Educator Open House and to register: https://www.
Please feel free to share this invitation with any of your colleagues who may be interested in attending.
Thank you,
Frederick Rubin
Gain Perspective. Get Inspired. Make History.
Frederick Spencer Rubin
Education Coordinator
P: 313.982.6100 ext 2508
E: frederickr@thehenryford.org
www.thehenryford.org<http://
Have a great Cougar week!