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October 10, 2015

	A Message from the Principal

	Parents have recently received the results of their student's statewide testing results CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress). These scores are the first from this testing system (Smarter Balanced). The CAASPP was administered last spring to students in grades 3-8 and 11. Though the result information looks similar to the previous test scores (STAR), they are different and cannot be directly compared or related to the STAR scores. This may cause some confusion with parent and students on how to read and utilize these scores. There are Overall Scores for the tests in Language Arts and Math give a range between 2,000 and 3,000 points and are divided into four performance categories: Standard Not Met, Standard Nearly Met, Standard Met, Standard Exceeded. In addition, scores for more specific skill sets ("claims") are given for each student. These have three performance categories with Nearly Met and Met combined. It is important to note that these cannot be compared to or have any direct relevance to the STAR categories (Advanced Proficiency, Proficient, Basic, Below Basic, Far Below Basic). The Smarter Balanced assessments are very different from the old tests. Click here to read more......

	The Great California Shake-out Drill

	On Thursday, October 15th MCMS will be participating in the statewide Great California Shake-out. This is the day that we practice our emergency procedures and review our preparedness in the event of a significant earthquake. Students have received information about emergency drills since the first week of school. The Great California Shake-out, Fire Drills and Shelter-In-Place Drills are all implemented during the school year. For Thursday, please see the alternate bell schedule below and be aware of the following: MCMS will be assembled on the field for the duration of the drill. Our emergency teams will move into action, responding to planned scenarios and (fake) injuries. We will practice how we release students to their families before the end of the school day (of course no one will actually be released during the drill). Many students will be assisting with drill and also help us prepare. Click here to see how you can help us assist you on Thursday October 15th and prepare for an emergency.

	Zero Hunger Challenge & World Food Day Activities

	On Friday, October 16th, OPUSD will be aligning with the UN's "Zero Hunger Challenge" and joining other groups around the world to celebrate World Food Day. Along with offering some tasty samples at lunch, we will also have a vegetarian RECIPE COMPETITION! Just have your student write their favorite vegetarian recipe on an index card, along with their name, grade and @OPUSD email address. There will be a Recipe Suggestion Box in the cafeteria area all week. Food Services will select a recipe to feature for school lunch and let everyone know whose recipe it is! When students purchase lunch on Friday they'll be able to donate $1, which will supply 11 meals to feed the 1 in 5 children who go to bed hungry in Ventura County. All donations will go to a local food bank. Who will feed more hungry children, Medea or Oak Park High students? Last year Medea raised enough to feed over 2,000 meals in Ventura County, leaving the high school in the dust. Can we surpass that this year?

	Catalina Update

	Thank you to our seventh grade families for submitting the Catalina paperwork and donations. The trip is on! A packing list has been uploaded to the Catalina website, which can be accessed by clicking on the information tab on the MCMS webpage. Please be sure to submit all outstanding medical forms. We are looking forward to a fun learning experience! Reminder: The chaperone meeting (for adult chaperones only) will be held before the rally on October 15, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Catalina Rally (for students attending the trip and their parents) will be held on October 15, 2015 at 6:30 p.m.

	Important Notice About Picking up your Students Early from Medea

	In an effort NOT to interrupt classroom instruction, we ask that you review MCMS procedures should you need to pick up your child for an appointment before the school day ends. If your student needs to leave early for an appointment please have them bring in a note stating what time they need to leave and for what reason to the Student Window first thing in the morning to get an "Off Campus Pass". This will save you, the teacher and the parent volunteers any inconvenience. We do our best to not have to disturb classes during class instruction. Your student may never leave campus without an Off Campus Pass. When you are ready to pick up your student come to the main office to sign them out in the blue Student Sign-Out Log binder. Students should never leave through the gate without checking through the office first.

	CERT Training

	Ventura County Fire Department - FREE Oak Park Community CERT Training Date: Oct. 5th - Nov. 9th, 2015 (Monday Nights) 6:30 pm-9:30 pm Location: Oak Park High School Room G-9 - 899 N. Kanan Rd. Oak Park, CA 91377 Final Hands-On Exercise: Saturday Nov. 14th, 2015 Following a major disaster, first responders who provide fire and medical services will not be able to meet the demand for service typically rendered. The local population will have to rely on each other for help in order to meet their immediate life saving, and life sustaining needs. The Community Emergency Response Team is a program that focuses on that preparedness.The six week training is conducted by the Ventura County Fire Department free of charge to all citizens eighteen and older. Topics Include: Light Search & rescue Fire Suppression Disaster First Aid Disaster Psychology Home Disaster Preparedness Introduction to Homeland Security For questions or to register email: Di Starzak at DiStarzak@sbcglobal.net

	Support Band and Save

	Medea Creek band students will be selling Entertainment Discount Cards to friends and family all next week. Those 2-inch thick "Entertainment Books" have gone hi-tech and are now sold as cards with an app and scratch off code to access the book online. The best part is that once you input the code, the app can be used nationwide. You can use it locally in Ventura and Los Angeles County and also when traveling anywhere in the United States. Money raised will help pay for instrument coaches, music and equipment. Contact jprince007@sbcglobal.net with any questions.

	Save the Dates

	10/14 - AstroCamp Chaperone Meeting at 5:30 pm in the Gym 10/14 - AstroCamp General Meeting at 6:00 pm in the Gym 10/15 - The Great California Shake-out Drill 10/15 - Catalina Chaperone Meeting at 5:30 pm in the Gym 10/15 - Catalina Rally at 6:30 pm in the Gym 10/16 - UN Zero Hunger Challenge and World Food Day 10/16 - End of Quarter 1 10/28-10/30 - 8th Grade AstroCamp Trip 1 11/2-11/4 - 7th Grade Catalina Trip 11/4 - PFA Meeting in the Staff Lounge 11/9-11/11 - 8th Grade AstroCamp Trip 2 11/11 - No School - Veterans Day Holiday

	Quick Links

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