I'd like to start by thanking all of the parents who have already signed up for parent teacher conferences. This is an exciting time when we get to share with you the great work your students are doing and hear your celebrations and concerns.

We value your input and voice, thank you for partnering with us to help your child grow. It is our goal during these conferences to keep our focus on your child's learning, how we can help them progress and how we can help them grow academically and socially. We look forward to doing this work with you. If you have not signed up yet, please follow the below link:

4th/5th:
 http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f44a4af28a02-parent3

K-3:

As reported in last week's Stallion the CMAS/PARCC literacy and math assessments from last spring have not been graded and sent to schools. Unfortunately, I found out last week that I reported incorrect information; we will not receive these scores until December at the earliest, probably January. All schools throughout the state will receive these scores at the same time.

The CMAS/PARCC assessments have replaced the old CSAP assessments; they are the test that CDE uses to grade schools in Colorado. 3rd, 4th and 5th graders take these assessments; the good news is that the tests will be shorter this year and there has been a promise that they will be scored in a more efficient manner.

Due to the lateness of these scores DPS urged schools to use last years' spring benchmark test that students scored. Our students did very well on these tests last year. 86% of our students scored proficient on the Literacy spring benchmark assessment and 83% of our students scored proficient on the Math spring benchmark assessment. This is the first year we took a literacy assessment. In the past it had been separated into a reading and writing assessment. 86% proficient matches our highest reading proficiency rate in the last 5 years (that's as far back as I can see) and is higher than any writing proficiency we've had in the past. This is the second highest math proficiency rate we have had in the last 5 years. Generally we are trending in the right direction.

In order to meet all of our students needs we are continue to collaboratively compare student work as a team so that we can develop strategies to meet all learners. We are also renewing our focus on Guided Reading so that all students receive "just right" reading instruction in addition to whole group reading instruction.

This is the second week in a row where I have run out of space  Next week I will talk about how we spent our time on Monday and Tuesday and also some plans we have to increase our instruction around social growth. Thanks for all you do!-cheers Kevin

 
Art Room -Parent Conferences

Mark Wednesday October 28th on your calendar to visit South High School with your costumed child from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The students of South create games for the children to play and give out candy as the kids go from booth to booth in the South High School gym. Click here for more information.