little jay news
little jay news C a m b ri dg e E l e m en t ar y S c ho ol November 2016
Inside this issue: Grading Standards
2
WIN Time
3
Reminders
4
Music News
5
Phy Ed News
6
Hoops Club
7
Nurse’s Notes
8
Speaker Series
10
Grief Group
11
Referendum
13
Wish List
15
BlueJay Heroes
16
IMC News
17
CFD Visit
18
CAP News
19
Halloween Pictures
20
Food Service
21
Dear Families of Cambridge Elementary School, It is hard to believe that the month of November is upon us and that we have now successfully completed our first two months of school. Everyone at Cambridge Elementary is off to a great start while embracing the challenge of learning. With students becoming more familiar with routines at school, we look forward to the academic challenges ahead of us! The staff is anxious to work with you (the parents/guardians) in efforts to form partnerships in education for the betterment of the whole child and for all of our children. Partnerships between home and school are essential in ensuring the success for all students. On November 10th and 11th we will host our Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences and the staff at CES is excited to meet with each and every one of you! You should have already received information regarding scheduling a conference time. If you have not please do contact your youngster’s teacher or the school to arrange for a meeting. Please make every effort to attend this important conference. Establishing open lines of communication is extremely important in providing the best possible educational experience for our kiddos. Finally, as the cold weather approaches and we begin to start settling in for winter, please continue to read and work with your youngster/ s at home. Cambridge Elementary School is always here to assist families in any way possible. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at home. From our CES Family to yours, please know that we are thankful for you! Chris Holt, CES Principal
Dates to Remember Late Start Wednesday: 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30 Parent/Teacher Conferences: 11/10 pm and 11/11 am Thanksgiving Break: 11/23-11/25
Volume 3, Issue 3
Report Cards are coming home soon and they will look different! Target/Standards-Based Grading on Report Cards 3 = Proficient (You Got It!) Student has fully demonstrated content proficiency and skill application of the outcomes for the particular target at this point in the school year. 2 = Approaching (Almost Got It!) Student has demonstrated partial proficiency of the expected content/skill in the assessment. Partial development indicates a progress with gaps in understanding or perhaps certain misconceptions. 1 = Needs Support (Not Quite Yet!) Student has demonstrated little or no evidence of content proficiency of outcomes. The student has large gaps in understanding and/or application and is able to show success only with significant adult assistance. X = Not graded this trimester.
Traditional Grading
A, B, C, D, F represent percentage of points accumulated Non-academic factors affect grades, such as participation, attendance, late work, etc. Everything is graded and averaged together Early assignments can skew the final grade Reports a single grade for each class
Target/Standards-Based Grading
3, 2, 1 represent student performance in relation to specific standards/targets Based on common core national, state, and district standards A report of what students know and are able to do Reflect academic performance only Behavioral information (called Student Success Attributes) reported separately
My child received all A’s in the previous system, should I expect him/her to receive all 3’s in this new grading system? If your child received all A’s in the past you can most likely expect them to receive 2’s or 3’s in the new reporting system. However, you may see some occasional 1’s in the grade book along the way, especially when new concepts are being introduced and learned. Learning in many instances is cumulative and understanding grows and develops. As we align our grading practices, and at the same time implement more rigorous standards, we may see that the obtainment of 3’s is more rare. This is not an indication that your child has changed or is struggling, it is an indication of higher and more aligned standards across our system, state, and even nation.
Our goal for all learners is to earn the grade mark of 3, to show that they are meeting our challenging grade level standards and expectations. In the new system, a 3 is to be celebrated! Within this goal of all learners earning 3’s, we also need to continue to recognize individual student performance, goals and achievements. For some students the score of a 2 is developmentally appropriate with the goal being to challenge and motivate them to demonstrate their understanding in ways to earn the score of 3.
It is difficult to compare letter grades with the number system because the marks stand for completely different things. In a standards based system the score represents what is learned – where the student is in relation to the expectation or standard. In a letter grade system the grade mark indicates how many points a student has accumulated, through assignments, extra credit, participation, etc. In that system, the goal of the student was to gather as many points as possible to get to an A. Now we are looking at where student work is in relation to a standard (performance expectation), rather than an accumulation of points. How do you explain to children why they did not get a 3? It is important that parents and teachers have honest conversations with students. Some concepts and skills are more difficult to grasp than others, but given time, motivation, instruction, and support students can continually challenge themselves. Attitudes are contagious and it is important that adults involved convey to the child that learning is a process that needs to be respected. A score of 2 while learning a new skill or concept is appropriate. A score of 3 demonstrating mastery is to be celebrated.
little jay news
Page 3
WIN Time at Cambridge Elementary WIN (What I Need) Time is in full swing at CES. WIN time is an effort to provide students with instruction students need. Data meetings take place in PLCs to review results and ultimately plan for instruction that will close achievement gaps and/or provide enrichment opportunities as needed. WIN time is a systematic effort to promote a second (or possibly third) “helping” of instruction targeting reading and math needs. This time is in addition to reading and math instruction that is already taking place within classrooms and is organized as follows: Grade 2: 8:05-8:35 Grades 5K & 1: 8:30-9:00
Grade 5: 9:05-9:35
Grade 3: 9:35-10:05 Grade 4:10:05-10:35 WIN Time takes place daily and students are organized into flexible groups depending upon progress and content. Educational Assistants and Interventionists are a critical part to the groups design in efforts to keep group sizes smaller while providing appropriate instruction for all. WIN time allows us to provide valuable instruction that supports students not being pulled from other subjects. I am proud of the staff’s efforts thus far; in providing extra critical instruction.
little jay news
Page 4
Student Drop Off/Pick Up Reminders When dropping your child off at CES, please do so with caution. We ask that you drive at the posted speed limit, enter the circle using the right side of the circle, pull around slowly while staying in line, only allow your child to exit on the passenger side in the marked area (from first pillar of building to our drop off sign). If parking in our parking lot and walking your child to the building suits you best, please follow the yellow arrows in the parking lot to guide you as you park. Please use caution while walking through the parking lot. Please do not go around the speed bumps as it is unsafe and we want to avoid any accidents. If you have any questions about our drop off/pick up process, please view our website for more information or contact the school at 608.423.9727.
Mrs. Cunningham’s Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule: Thursday, November 10: Nikolay Middle School Friday, November 11: Cambridge Elementary School Mrs. Gowan’s Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule Thursday, November 10: By Appointment Only (later in evening) Friday, November 11: Cambridge Elementary School
Page 6
little jay news
November PE News October was a busy month of finishing up football and beginning our soccer units. All students have improved on their soccer skills since day one of the unit. It was great to be able to get outside as much as we did, but reality is setting in right now and the cold is coming our way. We ended October in the gym with a glow in the dark unit. The students love this and it allows them to have a different sensory experience that they don’t normally have in the gym. November is a fast busy month. We will be working volleyball, badminton and paddle work depending on the grade level. If you have any balloons at home, let your children practice consecutive hits that would mimic a paddle or a volleyball underhand pass. This unit is really great for working on hand eye coordination and any practice you child can get at home is beneficial for them. We will be saying goodbye to Ms. Hansen as she heads to Janesville to finish her student teaching at a middle school. The kids have enjoyed having her here and I am sure will miss her when she is gone. Please remember as the weather is changing to make sure you continue to send gym shoes on gym days! Thanks Mrs. Legge
PBIS ASSEMBLY Congratulations goes out to all our “Responsibility Heroes” for the month of October! These children received special recognition and a framed certificate for their exemplary behavior-Ellie Nelles, Brilee Yach, Jordyn Nottestad, Henry Howe, Mya Robinson, Scott Mehringer, Gracie Brandt, Clara Stevens, Tanner Furseth, Macie Bell, Jaxxen Cobb, Lilly Gonzalez, Jill Thompson, Samantha Gjertson, Sawyer Lawson, Cal Nottestad, Kyla Tobias, Reagen Gebhart, Zoe Krueger, Tyce Bettenhausen, Mya Lehmann, and Ana Sarallo. We are also very proud of all our students who showed a great amount of responsibility throughout this month and continued to earn Blue Jay Hero slips. The students earned their first school wide incentive, Trade-ATeacher because of their super “responsible” behaviors! Be sure to ask your child who visited their room for a short activity. Next month our focus is on “Respect” Kids will understand that being respectful is using good manners, being tolerant of differences, being considerate of the feelings of others, using kind words, dealing with emotions in a peaceful way.
Page 17
little jay news
Suggestion!! Send the water bottles empty and have the kids fill them at school and dump out the water before they go home. We have had several this week come in wet. Sometimes they can be dried out, but if we don't catch it right away, the pages develop mold. Thanks!!
Page 18
little jay news
3rd Grade Visit from the Cambridge Fire Department Thank you to the Cambridge Fire Department for their time and for keeping us safe.
Poster winners: Left to right starting with the front row: Mason Neuenschwander, Adalina Adsit, Alyssa Breunig, Anne Mitchell and Gordie Grender. Back row: Fireman Shane Johnson, Zoey Rank, Riley Schoenecke, Kaylee Farrar, Grace Carolson, Principal Holt, Alyssa Gottschalk, Bryce Duckert, Sawyer Lawson, Cally Gill and Fireman JD Lynch.
Inside this issue: Grading Standards
2
WIN Time
3
Reminders
4
Music News
5
Phy Ed News
6
Hoops Club
7
Nurse’s Notes
8
Speaker Series
10
Grief Group
11
Referendum
13
Wish List
15
BlueJay Heroes
16
IMC News
17
CFD Visit
18
CAP News
19
Halloween Pictures
20
Food Service
21
Dear Families of Cambridge Elementary School, It is hard to believe that the month of November is upon us and that we have now successfully completed our first two months of school. Everyone at Cambridge Elementary is off to a great start while embracing the challenge of learning. With students becoming more familiar with routines at school, we look forward to the academic challenges ahead of us! The staff is anxious to work with you (the parents/guardians) in efforts to form partnerships in education for the betterment of the whole child and for all of our children. Partnerships between home and school are essential in ensuring the success for all students. On November 10th and 11th we will host our Fall Parent/Teacher Conferences and the staff at CES is excited to meet with each and every one of you! You should have already received information regarding scheduling a conference time. If you have not please do contact your youngster’s teacher or the school to arrange for a meeting. Please make every effort to attend this important conference. Establishing open lines of communication is extremely important in providing the best possible educational experience for our kiddos. Finally, as the cold weather approaches and we begin to start settling in for winter, please continue to read and work with your youngster/ s at home. Cambridge Elementary School is always here to assist families in any way possible. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help at home. From our CES Family to yours, please know that we are thankful for you! Chris Holt, CES Principal
Dates to Remember Late Start Wednesday: 11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/30 Parent/Teacher Conferences: 11/10 pm and 11/11 am Thanksgiving Break: 11/23-11/25
Volume 3, Issue 3
Report Cards are coming home soon and they will look different! Target/Standards-Based Grading on Report Cards 3 = Proficient (You Got It!) Student has fully demonstrated content proficiency and skill application of the outcomes for the particular target at this point in the school year. 2 = Approaching (Almost Got It!) Student has demonstrated partial proficiency of the expected content/skill in the assessment. Partial development indicates a progress with gaps in understanding or perhaps certain misconceptions. 1 = Needs Support (Not Quite Yet!) Student has demonstrated little or no evidence of content proficiency of outcomes. The student has large gaps in understanding and/or application and is able to show success only with significant adult assistance. X = Not graded this trimester.
Traditional Grading
A, B, C, D, F represent percentage of points accumulated Non-academic factors affect grades, such as participation, attendance, late work, etc. Everything is graded and averaged together Early assignments can skew the final grade Reports a single grade for each class
Target/Standards-Based Grading
3, 2, 1 represent student performance in relation to specific standards/targets Based on common core national, state, and district standards A report of what students know and are able to do Reflect academic performance only Behavioral information (called Student Success Attributes) reported separately
My child received all A’s in the previous system, should I expect him/her to receive all 3’s in this new grading system? If your child received all A’s in the past you can most likely expect them to receive 2’s or 3’s in the new reporting system. However, you may see some occasional 1’s in the grade book along the way, especially when new concepts are being introduced and learned. Learning in many instances is cumulative and understanding grows and develops. As we align our grading practices, and at the same time implement more rigorous standards, we may see that the obtainment of 3’s is more rare. This is not an indication that your child has changed or is struggling, it is an indication of higher and more aligned standards across our system, state, and even nation.
Our goal for all learners is to earn the grade mark of 3, to show that they are meeting our challenging grade level standards and expectations. In the new system, a 3 is to be celebrated! Within this goal of all learners earning 3’s, we also need to continue to recognize individual student performance, goals and achievements. For some students the score of a 2 is developmentally appropriate with the goal being to challenge and motivate them to demonstrate their understanding in ways to earn the score of 3.
It is difficult to compare letter grades with the number system because the marks stand for completely different things. In a standards based system the score represents what is learned – where the student is in relation to the expectation or standard. In a letter grade system the grade mark indicates how many points a student has accumulated, through assignments, extra credit, participation, etc. In that system, the goal of the student was to gather as many points as possible to get to an A. Now we are looking at where student work is in relation to a standard (performance expectation), rather than an accumulation of points. How do you explain to children why they did not get a 3? It is important that parents and teachers have honest conversations with students. Some concepts and skills are more difficult to grasp than others, but given time, motivation, instruction, and support students can continually challenge themselves. Attitudes are contagious and it is important that adults involved convey to the child that learning is a process that needs to be respected. A score of 2 while learning a new skill or concept is appropriate. A score of 3 demonstrating mastery is to be celebrated.
little jay news
Page 3
WIN Time at Cambridge Elementary WIN (What I Need) Time is in full swing at CES. WIN time is an effort to provide students with instruction students need. Data meetings take place in PLCs to review results and ultimately plan for instruction that will close achievement gaps and/or provide enrichment opportunities as needed. WIN time is a systematic effort to promote a second (or possibly third) “helping” of instruction targeting reading and math needs. This time is in addition to reading and math instruction that is already taking place within classrooms and is organized as follows: Grade 2: 8:05-8:35 Grades 5K & 1: 8:30-9:00
Grade 5: 9:05-9:35
Grade 3: 9:35-10:05 Grade 4:10:05-10:35 WIN Time takes place daily and students are organized into flexible groups depending upon progress and content. Educational Assistants and Interventionists are a critical part to the groups design in efforts to keep group sizes smaller while providing appropriate instruction for all. WIN time allows us to provide valuable instruction that supports students not being pulled from other subjects. I am proud of the staff’s efforts thus far; in providing extra critical instruction.
little jay news
Page 4
Student Drop Off/Pick Up Reminders When dropping your child off at CES, please do so with caution. We ask that you drive at the posted speed limit, enter the circle using the right side of the circle, pull around slowly while staying in line, only allow your child to exit on the passenger side in the marked area (from first pillar of building to our drop off sign). If parking in our parking lot and walking your child to the building suits you best, please follow the yellow arrows in the parking lot to guide you as you park. Please use caution while walking through the parking lot. Please do not go around the speed bumps as it is unsafe and we want to avoid any accidents. If you have any questions about our drop off/pick up process, please view our website for more information or contact the school at 608.423.9727.
Mrs. Cunningham’s Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule: Thursday, November 10: Nikolay Middle School Friday, November 11: Cambridge Elementary School Mrs. Gowan’s Parent/Teacher Conference Schedule Thursday, November 10: By Appointment Only (later in evening) Friday, November 11: Cambridge Elementary School
Page 6
little jay news
November PE News October was a busy month of finishing up football and beginning our soccer units. All students have improved on their soccer skills since day one of the unit. It was great to be able to get outside as much as we did, but reality is setting in right now and the cold is coming our way. We ended October in the gym with a glow in the dark unit. The students love this and it allows them to have a different sensory experience that they don’t normally have in the gym. November is a fast busy month. We will be working volleyball, badminton and paddle work depending on the grade level. If you have any balloons at home, let your children practice consecutive hits that would mimic a paddle or a volleyball underhand pass. This unit is really great for working on hand eye coordination and any practice you child can get at home is beneficial for them. We will be saying goodbye to Ms. Hansen as she heads to Janesville to finish her student teaching at a middle school. The kids have enjoyed having her here and I am sure will miss her when she is gone. Please remember as the weather is changing to make sure you continue to send gym shoes on gym days! Thanks Mrs. Legge
PBIS ASSEMBLY Congratulations goes out to all our “Responsibility Heroes” for the month of October! These children received special recognition and a framed certificate for their exemplary behavior-Ellie Nelles, Brilee Yach, Jordyn Nottestad, Henry Howe, Mya Robinson, Scott Mehringer, Gracie Brandt, Clara Stevens, Tanner Furseth, Macie Bell, Jaxxen Cobb, Lilly Gonzalez, Jill Thompson, Samantha Gjertson, Sawyer Lawson, Cal Nottestad, Kyla Tobias, Reagen Gebhart, Zoe Krueger, Tyce Bettenhausen, Mya Lehmann, and Ana Sarallo. We are also very proud of all our students who showed a great amount of responsibility throughout this month and continued to earn Blue Jay Hero slips. The students earned their first school wide incentive, Trade-ATeacher because of their super “responsible” behaviors! Be sure to ask your child who visited their room for a short activity. Next month our focus is on “Respect” Kids will understand that being respectful is using good manners, being tolerant of differences, being considerate of the feelings of others, using kind words, dealing with emotions in a peaceful way.
Page 17
little jay news
Suggestion!! Send the water bottles empty and have the kids fill them at school and dump out the water before they go home. We have had several this week come in wet. Sometimes they can be dried out, but if we don't catch it right away, the pages develop mold. Thanks!!
Page 18
little jay news
3rd Grade Visit from the Cambridge Fire Department Thank you to the Cambridge Fire Department for their time and for keeping us safe.
Poster winners: Left to right starting with the front row: Mason Neuenschwander, Adalina Adsit, Alyssa Breunig, Anne Mitchell and Gordie Grender. Back row: Fireman Shane Johnson, Zoey Rank, Riley Schoenecke, Kaylee Farrar, Grace Carolson, Principal Holt, Alyssa Gottschalk, Bryce Duckert, Sawyer Lawson, Cally Gill and Fireman JD Lynch.
