it is good to be back from Boston's job fairs, and we spoke to and hired many talented teachers on our travels to the three international hiring fairs. Dakar is certainly becoming a go-to destination, and we hope a lot of that is down to ISD! Back home, the upcoming weeks are event-filled, as we start the most productive time of the year - routines are learned and lots going on in the classes! More below....

Notes:

1. MAP Testing Upcoming: On Wednesday, February 18, the Gr 2-5 students will start the second battery of MAP tests. As before, there are three online tests in Reading, Language Usage and Math. If you click HERE you will go to a Parent Toolkit, published by NWEA, who facilitate the tests. I have more information for new parents below:

ISD uses the MAP Test as our standardized test.  The MAP Test is Measures of Academic Progress™ and is created by the Northwest Evaluation Association. These tests determine your child’s instructional level and measure academic growth throughout the school year, and from year to year in the areas of math, reading and language. 

In addition to using our own assessments and report cards, ISD, like most schools, uses a standardized test to compare how our students are doing as compared to a larger pool of students.  The MAP test is especially useful to ISD as we receive the results within a week after the tests are complete.  Once we receive the test results, each parent will receive a test report.

Students in Grades 2-5 will be taking the first round of these MAP tests starting Wednesday, February 18.  Students take these tests in three sessions, each lasting about an hour.   

MAP tests are unique in that they are adaptive tests your child takes on a computer. That means that the test becomes more difficult the more questions your child answered correctly. When your child incorrectly answered a question, the test became easier. Therefore, your child takes a test specifically created for his or her learning level. We also receive very detailed reports on each student and each class, and this information is used for teachers to better tailor instruction to the needs of each child and each class, based on the reported areas of strength and weakness.

Please know that there is no need for your child to study in advance of these tests. Also, the tests are in the morning, which is when we usually do the in-class math, reading or writing sessions, so it is a little more authentic to your child.  

2. 1O Assembly: thanks to 1O for telling us all about "magic E". Here are some pictures from their assembly:

3. Marcel Zaragoza: K-Gr 3 students also enjoyed a performance, and a calligraphy workshop from the very entertaining Marcel Zaragoza:

4. Musical Picnic: 

Elementary Musical Picnic

5. ES Parent Workshop: 

Defining Family Values

presented by Susie Brown, Certified Parent Coach and Pam Pelliccia ES Counselor

Participants will define family values, identify guiding principles and develop an action plan of specific ways to encourage children to embrace family values.

Tuesday, February 24th at 8:30 AM in the admin conference room