Dear Parents,              

Georgia law, as amended by the A+ Education Reform Act of 2000, requires that all students in Grades 3-8 take the Georgia Criterion Referenced Competency Test (CRCT) in the content areas of Reading, English Language Arts, and Mathematics. Students in these grade levels are also assessed in Science and Social Studies. For students in Grades 3, 5, and 8, this assessment serves as a promotion requirement as required by state law.  

Below is the schedule for the administration of the CRCT and CRCT-M in the DeKalb County School District. It is imperative that students attend school each day and arrive on time so they will not miss any sections of this important assessment.

The purpose of these tests is to measure student performance in the content areas listed above. By teaching the Common Core Georgia Performance Standards (CCGPS) in Reading, English/Language Arts, and Mathematics and the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS) in Science and Social studies, our teachers have been diligently preparing students for these tests since the beginning of the school year. We are confident that our students are prepared.

You can help by taking the following steps:

1. Get plenty of rest each night before testing.  Experts say most young people need seven to eleven hours of sleep to be at their best.
2. Eat breakfast each morning before testing. 
3. Avoid rushing on the days of testing.  Be sure to have clothes and books ready the night before so that students can arrive at school on time each morning.
4. Try not to be absent or tardy during testing days.  If possible, please avoid scheduling doctor/dentist appointments during the testing period. Make-ups will be given for missed days.
5. Encourage your child to do his or her very best.
6. Dress in comfortable shoes and clothes.  Bring a jacket just in case you get cold during the testing time.
7. If an issue arises that may impact your child's performance, please contact your child's teacher immediately.

Parents of students enrolled in Grades 3, 5, and 8 will be notified in early May 2013 if their student is required to participate in the Re-Test Administration in order to gain promotion to the next grade level. The Re-test is scheduled for the week of May 22, 2013. Individual student score reports for all students in Grades 3-8 are expected to arrive in the district by the middle of June, 2013.

If you have questions regarding any aspect of testing, please contact the school at (678) 874-9002.

Respectfully,

Tracey Crenshaw

The Vanderlyn School Council is the advisory body to the principal. Members give advice and recommendations on matters that pertain to school attendance, academic achievement, capital improvement plans, curriculum, budget, and school/community strategies.  There are seven parents, three teachers, two business partners and the principal who serve on the council.   

We will be holding elections for four parent representative vacancies on May 3, 2013. Parents serve a 2 year term.  The election process begins this week.  You will receive a call for nominations in the VIP on April 4, 2013. Nominations are due on April 18, 2013, by 6 p.m.  Any parent who has at least one child at Vanderlyn during the next two years may run.   

Please consider nominating yourself or someone else to serve on the Council. Please contact Tina Wilkinson with any questions.

Please help spread the word to parents of rising kindergartners that Kindergarten Roundup will be held during two sessions on Monday, April 22. The morning session will be from 8 to 10 a.m. and the afternoon session will be from 3 to 6 p.m.  

Children in attendance will be able to see a classroom. This pre-registration event greatly assists Vanderlyn in planning for the 2013-14 school year.  

Giddy up, Vikings!

At its April 1 meeting, the DeKalb County Board of Education voted to delay the implementation of the district's balanced calendar until the 2014-15 school year. With it, the Board adopted a traditional calendar.

The traditional calendar can be viewed here 

Celebrate the end of the week with your friends this Friday, April 19 from 2:30 to 6 p.m. for our Third though Fifth Grades Spirit Event at Jeronimo! 

Jeronimo! Indoor Play & Party Center

1570 Holcomb Bridge Road Suite 240

Roswell, GA 30076

(770) 552-2772

While this event is for third through fifth graders primarily, siblings are welcome!  Everyone will get to play at the new Putt & Play indoor glow-in-the-dark mini golf!

Jeronimo! will donate 20% of all admissions back to the Vanderlyn PTA. Children will jump, bounce, slide, climb, and have fun with their friends while the PTA receives money that will directly impact the children in the classrooms. 

For directions please go to http://www.jjumps.com/