Saturday, April 24, 2021

Spring Assessments


Here are some updates for Spring assessments:

Forward Make Ups

I believe we only have one IDL student (next Wednesday) left - yahoo!

BAS

  • The window for BAS is open from May 2-21.  This is a Formal Assessment window, and students should be tested to their instructional level.  
  • Data should be entered into DnA by 4:00 pm on Friday, May 21.  When you enter the data, please be sure to include both instructional level and also the additional fields from the assessment (All columns should be completed when entering the data into DnA).  This will be replacing the 1/2 sheet from before.  The district will print information in the fall for next year's teacher (one pagers).
  • You can use this document to guide where each column is found in the BAS.  Lori made copies, too.
  • Remember that if you're administering the levels where the total comprehension score is out of 6 rather than 9, you will enter the score into "Beyond/About" rather than "Beyond". 
  •  If you have ANY questions please reach out to your building coach or Amanda McCarthy
  • Add the last completed student BAS recording sheet to the student literacy portfolio for next year's teacher reference.
BAS for IDL - from Lori
BAS text not available online - and not recommended:
  • Send home GR text and do a running record with FPC printed form
  • Present the GR book online  and do a running record with FPC printed form  
  • Invite students come in for assessment on a Wed or before school
With all of these, the full information would be added into Illuminate, and the RR or BAS would be passed up to next years teacher with a note how it was administered. Please let me know if you'd like to follow up with any teams or how I can support.

BAS 5th Grade Update - from Amanda
As we enter the final BAS window of the year, we are asking for a small change to ensure a solid data set in this year of COVID.  Past practice has been to only assess students who had not met the end-of-year benchmark.  The BAS is not only a tool that is used at the middle school (intervention, placement, etc), it's also a tool that we use to measure the effectiveness of our literacy program (especially now that it aligns so closely with FPC).  This year it will also be a tool that will allow us to measure the impacts of COVID, enabling us to triangulate it with MAP and FastBridge.  Although it will take some additional time, we are asking that you assess all of your students to their instructional level. 

MAP

NWEA MAP is rostered and ready for the testing window beginning Monday, May 3.  Here's the link to the schedule:  HO Spring MAP Testing Schedule

Teachers can access the two documents we used during the Winter window to set up sessions and get IDL learner's devices checked.  We added information on the family document for access from an iPad, as that was a common tech issue this winter.  

Please remind teachers that the "Remote Testing Directions for Teachers" is not a document that should be shared with families.  They are encouraged to share the appropriate links within the document if necessary but everything our families should need is included in the "Remote Testing Document for Families".  If anyone has questions, please reach out.  

FastBridge

Traci and Heather's classes will be completing the MAP and FastBridge (as a pilot).  They will be our experts next year!!

Writing Samples

  • We will not be doing the end of year ODW.
  • We will not be putting an end of year "formal" writing sample in the literacy folder.
  • Please have each student write a letter to their next year's teacher by the end of the year; keep and give to teachers next year.  Let Lori know if you'd like a template to use.
Fall BAS
Teachers will be allowed to use their 7.5 hours for assessing students using the BAS before school starts this fall (August, 2021).  More info to come!

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Spring Events

 


With the ever changing landscape of this year, I wanted to share the plans that are being considered at this point (some secured, some tentative), awaiting district decisions at our April 19th meeting (Monday).  Updates to come!

This Week on Hawk Talk

  • As they come in, we will be showing videos of students who completed a FlipGrid of their At-Home Brambleheart Boat Challenge 
  • We will be showcasing students who send pictures of picking up litter for Earth Week

Music Programs

We will not be having grade level music programs this year.

Talent Show

Information was sent home on Friday, April 16, inviting students to create a short video at home via FlipGrid (like last year); teachers will be able to share these with their classes anytime the last 3 days of school.  Thank you to Tara, Julia, and Lori for organizing this!  Once compiled, they will let us know how long to plan for the videos.

Last Day of School - schedule for the day coming soon!

  • Early Release Schedule with one special in AM
  • 5th grade farewell - time TBD
  • Shirt Signing (weather permitting, outside) - AM
  • Boosterthon (1:00-2:00, K-2 and 2:00-3:00, 3-5)
  • Bell Ringing (3:00-3:40 with 2-3 grade levels at a time, teachers ring bell except for 5th grade = students)
    • 3:10-3:20 (K-1)
    • 3:20-3:30 (2-4) 
    • 3:30-3:40 (5th)

5th Grade Farewell

Tentative:  We will do a program in the gym with just the 5th graders, recorded and sent to families.  This will include receiving their certificate/flower, speeches, and 5th graders singing the school song.  Weather permitting, we will then move to the Loop Trail Trailhead for a short reception with families.  Times not determined yet.

5th Grade - End of Year Celebration

Tentative (haven't told students yet): 5th grade ice skating on June 2nd (morning) and back for pizza at school.


Still working on...

Kite Flying/Plant Sale, All-School Picnic (with families); parent volunteers coming into the building


I will keep everyone updated as I get more information!

Sue

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Severe Weather Awareness Week

 



As with everything else this year, our safety and severe weather drills 
will look a little bit different this spring!

Tornado and Severe Weather Drill

We will not be doing an official tornado drill this year, but please do the following sometime this week:

  • Watch this National Weather Service video about Tornado Safety (1:42)
  • Show your students to your tornado drill location
  • Practice the crouching/covering of head stance while spread out in your classroom. Specialists - please review where each class goes for their safe location in a tornado drill.
Safety Drill

We will not be doing an official safety drill/lock down this spring, but please do the following sometime this week:
  • Rewatch the video and review lock down procedure with your class: Houlton Safety Video (1:34)
  • Document the date when you completed the safety drill this spring:  Spring Safety Drill Completion
  • A letter will be sent to families in this week's newsletter letting them know we've been discussing safety and severe weather drills.


Fire Drill

I will do a fire drill sometime after Forward testing - I'll let you know ahead of time. We will continue with the two groups - the bell and the announcement.

Fire Drill (2 groups)

  • BELL - K (front entry), 2 (1st grade door), and 3rd (door by 5th)
  • ANNOUNCEMENT - 1st (1st grade door), 4th and 5th (door by 5th)

Let me know if you have any questions!  
Sue