Greetings!
Today was our last remote learning Friday of the school year. This time has been very valuable for our teachers and staff. I hope you know that we are extremely careful how we use that precious time. We realize that it creates some difficulties for families and want you to know we take that time very seriously. Teachers have been able to focus on lesson plans, student interventions, data analysis, department/content teacher collaboration, emails, and reaching out to parents.
RISE/End of Year Testing – Over the next few weeks, Butler Middle School students will begin taking year-end exams to show how much they have learned over the course of the year. We will have one content area per week completed during class). This week we did the Reading Inventory and Math Inventory in the ELA and Math classes. Next week we start with ELA Writing in 8th grade on Monday and starting Tuesday the ELA Rise test in all the grade levels. The following week is Science and then Math.
We encourage students to take these tests seriously and are asking for your support in reinforcing that message at home. End of Year Testing Hints.docx It is very important that your child is at school during this time.
Why Do We Test? Testing is integral to education as it helps us to understand both proficiency and growth. Assessments inform instruction by helping teachers know if educational goals are being met. The various data points are indicators of what’s working in the classroom and what can be done differently. Testing also gives parents an independent measure of their child’s learning, answering the question: Is my child on target and doing well compared to his or her peers?
How Should Students Prepare? Practice for the test is the instruction students receive throughout the school year—the skills and knowledge they acquire each day. There are a few things, however, families can do to prepare for test day at home:
· Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast.
· Make the morning of testing as relaxing as possible by arriving at school on time.
· Encourage children to focus and pace themselves without rushing. It’s important to take your time and read each question carefully
· Remind children that if the test questions seem hard, that means they’re doing well. Similar to the ACT college entrance exam, the RISE test is computer adaptive, which means it adapts to the examinee’s abilities by proposing harder questions when a student gets something correct, and easier questions when the student gives a wrong answer.
What About Kids Who Have a History of Test Anxiety? It’s important to strike a balance with children. You don’t want them to brush off the test. On the other hand, you don’t want to stress them out. How you approach the conversation will differ from child to child. We like to describe testing skills as life skills. In most professions/careers, there is pressure to perform and meet deadlines, and testing is no different. It’s about demonstrating competency–what you know. Our students have worked hard all year in class. Now is their chance to show what they have learned.
Dress Code – With the joy of spring, comes the warmer weather and we start to have more issues with students and dress code. Please work with your child to be sure what they are wearing to school is appropriate. The most recent concerns are short skirts and short shorts. We are mentioning this in our announcements to students as well.
According to District Policy,
· “Students shall not wear clothes that are mutilated, cut off, or immodest, e.g., short shorts, mini-skirts, bare midriffs, halter-tops, spaghetti straps, tank shirts, or similar clothing.
· Clothing shall cover the midriff, underwear, backs, and cleavage at all times. Skirts, dresses and shorts must be at least mid-thigh length or longer when seated.”
· Shoes are to be worn at all times and hats are to be removed upon entering the building.
Think of this as preparing students to dress for success. Clothing that distracts or interferes with the learning atmosphere is not appropriate in the school setting. Students who are not dressed appropriately will be asked to change clothes. If that is not possible, parents will be contacted to bring a change of clothing. If more appropriate clothing cannot be acquired, the student will remain in the main office until the issue can be resolved. Our objective is to foster learning. We do not want to remove students from class and learning, and we look upon that as a last resort. Please encourage your child to dress in a manner that will follow the District guidelines and is appropriate in a school/work setting. Thank you!
PTSA Announcements – Hey parents, we need your help for our next year’s PTSA Board of Directors. We have several positions still available. Please email your contact information to the PTSA @ butlerptsa@gmail.com
Build A Bruin – In our 1st period classes we have an ongoing competition. Each classroom has a Bruin Bear with 10 puzzle pieces. Each day that 85% of the class is on time and in attendance, they get a puzzle piece. The following first period classes earned a Bruin this week:
· Mrs. Bradshaw
Upcoming Events – Through the end of the year.
· April 25 RISE Testing Begins; ELA/8th Grade ELA Writing
· April 26 Midterms
· April 26-29 RISE Testing; ELA
· April 27 SCC Meeting; 3:30 p.m
· April 27 Town Hall Meeting with Ms. Tingey, Ms. Schill @BMS, 6:30
· April 28 Dance Concert, 7:00.
· May 2-6 RISE Testing; Science
· May 5 Choir Concert, 7:00
· May 9 -13 RISE Testing, Math
· May 12 Band/Orchestra Concert, 6:15/7:00
· May 12 Last Day of Bruins Den and Math Help
· May 16 and 17 RISE Testing Make Ups
· May 18 and 19 School Finals
· May 20 Memory Book Distribution and Signing
· May 23 Chromebook Collection; Science Classes
· May 24 Pool Party; 6th Grade
· May 24 Lagoon Day; 8th Grade
· May 25 Last Day of School for 6th Grade
· May 26 Last Day of School for 7th and 8th Grade (½ Day)
And remember . . .
It’s Always a GREAT Day to be a Bruin!!
Ms. Paula Logan
Ongoing Items – These items have been addressed before, but you may need the information again.
· Bruins Den – April 26, 27, and 28. The Bruins’ Den is available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons from 3:00- 4:00 PM in the Media Center. This is a time for students to complete homework and/or get help from teachers. Each afternoon, two teachers are available in the Media Center to assist with student homework. Students can work on their own or get assistance from a teacher.
