Elementary School E-Notes: May 16, 2018

Principal’s Note

Dear Parents, 
We are learning all the time. Learning those important academic skills, but also learning how to be humans, together, in all kinds of settings and scenarios. For all of us, learning how to be friends, how to find common ground, and how to interact with all kinds of people is a skill worth developing.

During this time of MAP and other end-of-year assessing, it is a good reminder for all of us. Learning isn't limited to the classroom. The most important learning we teach is learning how to be people. Good, happy, interesting, adaptable, responsible, and willing-to-work-through-it people.

I will be away on professional development Friday and Monday (May 17 and May 21). Please know the Elementary Office team is ready to assist you as needed.

Warmly,
Jen Munnerlyn
ASW Elementary Principal

Coming Up:
Monday-Friday, May 14-18- Grades 3-5 MAP Testing
Thursday, May 17- Grade 2 Music Performance (8:45-9:30)
Friday, May 18- Early Childhood (PK/K) "Spotlight On" Assembly (8:45-9:30)
 
Calendar Questions?
Please check the ASW Website Calendar for the most up-to-date postings each week!
 MAP- Measures of Academic Progress Testing- Grades 3-5
During the week of May 14-18, we will be conducting the MAP test in the Elementary School. This test is a standardized test students in Grades 3-5 take on a computer. It is also an “adaptive test” meaning the questions change based on how the child answers them. A few important items to note:

• The test is a snapshot in time. Over time, and after multiple tests, the results are interesting because they show the learning progress of a student in Reading and Mathematics.
  
• The MAP test is not used as a grade. Instead, we compare the test result with what we already know about the learner. If there are inconsistencies, the teachers, together with our Learning Support, EAL and Literacy Coaches will dig deeper into the data.
  
• Students and teachers do not “prep” for the test. Instead, this assessment allows us to take this particular moment in-time to survey where students are, in order to compare that information with our own, essential, classroom data.
  
• The results of this assessment will be distributed to parents with the report cards on the final day of school. We use the data to help us consider student growth across the year, comparing the initial Fall assessment with the Spring scores. (Students in Grades 4-10, who have taken the MAP Test at ASW, will have the benefit of seeing multiple years of data, and therefore see years of growth, in the handout provided.)
  

(Questions about the MAP test? Please contact your child’s teacher; Jen Munnerlyn, ES Principal; or Carol Jordan Director, of Teaching and Learning.)

2018-19 Class Placement Process- No Parent Requests Please
Placing students in their classrooms for our next school year is a multi-step process designed to ensure the development of balanced classes which meet the needs of all students. 

First of all, class lists will initially be compiled by the current grade level teachers without the assignment of specific classroom teacher names. Other teachers, including EAL, Learning Support, Additional Language and Single Subject teachers are also able to provide input about the proposed groupings. The work is undertaken with a close eye on developing classes balanced in terms of gender, special student learning needs, English language development, nationality, and learner traits. We do not create classes based on friendships.

Then in August, the Principal and Counselors add teacher names to each group, once our new students have been added to the lists.

It is important to note that parent requests to place students in the classroom of a specific teacher or requests for specific friends,will not be honored. However, consideration will be given to requests from parents to not have their child placed in a specific classroom due to past personal experience. (Personal experience would mean that another sibling in the same family was previously in the teacher’s classroom and the experience was not a positive one.) 

If your family is in this situation, please contact me via email (jmunnerlyn@aswarsaw.org) by Friday, June 1, 2018, noting the name of the teacher and the name of the child that was in the teacher’s classroom in the past. Please be assured that any communication will be handled in a confidential manner.

(Questions? Please contact ES Principal Jen Munnerlyn (jmunnerlyn@aswarsaw.org)
Substitutes Needed!
Are you interested in substituting? We are looking for EU and Polish Citizens to substitute in the elementary school. Fluent English and a general interest in children and child-development is a must. If you are interested in working at the school as a substitute teaching assistant, please review the requirements and submit an online application today! (Questions? Please email Dorota Buksowicz: dbuksowicz@aswarsaw.org)


Moving Plans?
As we enter Spring, we begin to hear about families who are leaving ASW and won't be here next year. To help us ensure a smooth transition for your family, please email Admissions (admissions@aswarsaw.org) to let them know you will not be returning. From there, the ES Counselors and teachers will be able to plan for a positive transition to a new school and home, for your child.