I would first like to thank the fifth grade parents that were able to attend last nights open house.  During last nights discussion it was asked if there are any example STAAR questions that parents can see.  If you go to the following web address ( http://www.twa.net/summer.html ) it will take you to some released questions.  We do not have copies, nor have we seen last year STAAR tests.

Another question that was brought up was in regards to the Texas Higher Performance School Consortium.  I am including Mr. Gilbert’s blog address.  I encourage you to subscribe to his blog for the latest information on where we are in regards to the Consortium.  http://superintendent.wonecks.net/

We are in the middle of benchmark testing this week.  Our third and fourth graders worked hard yesterday on their math assessments.  Tomorrow third and fourth will be taking the reading benchmark and fifth grade will be taking their science assessment.  Just a reminder that all classes will have a different lunch schedule and we ask that you do not come have lunch with your child tomorrow.

Tomorrow students are allowed to wear hats for this weeks events.  During testing we are having students take off their hats.  When testing is complete students can resume wearing their hats.  This is for all of Intermediate due to testing.

Thank you for all of your support and help with benchmark assessments.  We appreciate everything you are doing at home to help your child.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact myself or your child’s teacher.

Next week the Intermediate campus has a very busy week.  Parents should have received a letter in regards to baby Camryn.  The Intermediate campus is joining the Primary campus in trying to help raise money for Camryn’s family.  Your child can bring in any extra coins next week.  All coins will be collected and given to Primary to give to Camryn’s family.  See below for the daily events of next week.  This is not mandatory that your child participates.

Monday-

“More hugs for Cameryn”-Students may bring a stuffed animal to school.

Tuesday-

“Team Camryn”- Students may wear a shirt from their favorite team.

3&4th grade Math Benchmark (Due to testing students will be eating at a different time.  We ask that you do not come to have lunch with your child on this day nor bring up a lunch.  We appreciated your help on the last benchmark!!)

5:00 5th Grade Parent Information Night for SSI.

Wednesday-

“Wishing sweet dreams for Camryn”- Students may wear dress code appropriate pajamas and tennis shoes to school.

Early Release Day

Thursday-

“Thinking about Camryn”-Students may wear hats to school.

3&4th grade Reading Benchmark and 5th Grade Science Benchmark (Due to testing students will be eating at a different time.  We ask that you do not come to have lunch with your child on this day nor bring up a lunch.  We appreciated your help on the last benchmark!!)

Friday-

“Funny Faces for Camryn”- Students may wear face paint to school (no bloody or scary face paint please.)

Make up testing for any student that missed one of the benchmarks.

 

I hope that all of you have a wonderful weekend!

What does SSI mean?

• Student Success Initiative-  In the state of Texas all fifth graders are required to pass both their Reading and Math STAAR assessments in order to go on to 6th grade.

Take a deep breath!

• Your fifth grader will be given three attempts to do this.  The first STAAR administration for Reading and Math will be April 2nd and 3rd.
• Second administration is May 14th and 15th.
• Third administration is in June.

What are we doing at school to get ready?

• Benchmark tests were given last week.
• Team reviewing data to identify grade level areas of need and individual student areas of need.
• Mrs. Ganong, Mrs. Pullen, Mrs. McFall, Mrs. Freeman, and Mrs. Owens are collaborating to identify student needs and pulling small groups to address areas of concern.  If student is currently seeing Mrs. Bybel, Mrs. Honea, or Mrs. Craven these three are working with teachers to review data to support students during their time with them.

How can you help at home with Math and Reading?

• Multiplication facts….practice, practice, practice.
• If you would like we  have copies of Mastering the TAKS Math workbooks.  It says TAKS, but has great word problems to practice with. (Contact Ms. Freeman if you are interested in getting a copy.)
• Read, read, read.  We have noticed that students lose stamina during the four hours.  Towards the end of the assessment some students are missing questions because they are tired.
• Make sure students are completing their math homework and showing their thinking.  Homework that is being given are areas that showed up as areas of need as a grade level.
• Great Websites:
  • http://www.math-play.com/5th-grade-math-games.html
  • www.IXL.com-select 5th grade and it has everything broken down into subjects in math.
  • www.aaastudy.com – Select 5th grade math and it has several topics for practice.
  • Mrs. Freeman has taught students how to search for extra math practice games as well.

If you have any questions about the above information please feel free to contact myself or any of the fifth grade teachers.  As soon as we have a date for Parent Night I will post.  The above information will be the information shared during that time.   

Important….we are having to reschedule the 5th grade parent night.   As soon as I have new date and time I will post and send a note home with students.  I will also post later today information that was going to be shared in case you are unable to make new night.  We apologize for the change, but again will get new date to you ASAP and I will post information that was going to be shared.

We have had a great start to the second semester!  Our students came back from break working hard and applying what they had learned in the first semester.  January flew by us and I can not believe that we are already in February.  This month has lots of things going on that I wanted to share with you.

This month we will be taking our benchmarks.  These benchmarks give us an idea of where your child is at and what we need to target.  To better prepare our students for the testing environment of STAAR we will have our benchmarks in the same type of manner that they will be in April.  For our fourth and fifth graders they are familiar with the set up, but our third graders are not. On the days that we have benchmarks we are asking that you do not come to have lunch with your children nor bring lunches up.  We appreciate your help with this!!  To help prepare your children for this please help us by:

*Making sure they get a goods night rest the night before.

*Eat a good breakfast or make it to school in time to eat breakfast.

*Remind them to show their thinking.  We have been practicing and drilling this since the beginning of the school year.

Students who show their thinking will be allowed to attend a strategy celebration.  Our students and teachers have been working on what this looks like since our first six weeks test.  Students know that in math they are to show how they solved their problem.  In reading they are to prove where or how they found their answers.  This celebration is not based on their grades, but the student showing how they solved the questions.

I have also been asked about Valentine parties.  We are not having Valentine parties this year.  The students will still be exchanging Valentine’s, but we will not have the big party.  We will be having an Easter and End of Year party.

Fifth grade parents you are invited to come on February 19th to meet Mrs. Freeman.  We will also be sharing with you the information we have received in regards to this being an SSI year for your fifth grader and what it means for them.

Below are some important dates for this month:

February 12th- 5th Grade Math Benchmark and Day 1 of 4th Grade Writing

February 13th- 5th Grade Reading Benchmark and Day 2 of 4th Grade Writing

February 14th- Benchmark make up for students that missed.

Student’s exchange Valentines, no party.

February 18th- No School

February 19th- 5th Grade Parent Night 5:00 Intermediate Cafeteria

February 26th- 3rd and 4th Grade Math Benchmark

February 27th- Early Release

February 28th- 3rd and 4th Grade Reading Benchmark, 5th Grade Science Benchmark