DOLPHIN DIALOGUE Issue # 6
WRIGHT ELEMENTARY 2017 January 29, 2017
IMPORTANT DATES
FEBRUARY 2017
Monday /Tuesday
/Wednesday
/Thursday
/Friday
/1
Year Books go on Sale / 2
Pryor Visits for Registration @ 8:45am/Media / 3
6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10
13 / 14 / 15 / 16 / 17
20
SCHOOL CLOSED
PRESIDENT’S DAY / 21
Spring Pictures / 22 / 23 / 24
27 / 28
PTO @ 5:30
FROM THE PRINCIPAL:
What is Wright’s Best Asset?
As an experienced educator, I have had the opportunity to work with support staff, teachers and guidance counselors in different states and School Districts. This experience qualifies the opinion I have about the teachers at our school. They care about our children and many spend hours of their own time and money to ensure a quality education for their students. I have seen them go above and beyond to differentiate instruction and support children who are struggling. I have also seen them spend extra time planning and developing experiences for students who are above grade level. We have the best teachers in the Universe at our school!
My job, as principal, is to develop a culture of excellence in our school community. Against several challenges, Wright has adopted this culture. Our Leader in Me program empowers students to accept responsibility for their behavior and set goals for learning. Our implementation of Collaborative learning and our School Performance Plan has increased the level of instruction our students receive. For example, I recently visited a first grade classroom and observed a student led discussion on a book they had read. It was amazing!
This culture of excellence extends to our support staff who take care of our office needs, keep the school safe and secure, and support instruction. Our special education team is the best! Our EBD, speech and special education teachers go above and beyond to support student achievement. In a word our best asset is the staff at Wright. Due to their efforts, our school grade increased from a C to a B last year. Our children are making gains. I feel fortunate they have chosen to work at our school. I hope our parents and community will take the time to encourage them and let them know how much they are appreciated and supported.
Kindergarten Registration February 6-March 10, 2017
Due to Controlled Open Enrollment, Kindergarten Registration has been moved up to February 6-March 10. Parents opting to apply for Controlled Open Enrollment must do so before February 15th. Incoming kindergarteners must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2017 in order to register for the 2017-2018 school year.
______
GUIDANCE NEWS
Dear Parent/Guardian,
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that your child will take the Florida Standards Assessments (FSA) on the following dates:
Paper-based Tests:
Grades 4 and 5 ELA Writing on Tuesday, February.28
3rd Grade ELA Reading on Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29
5th Grade Science on Tuesday, May 2 and Wednesday, May 3
Computer-based Tests:
3rd Grade Math on Monday, April 17 and Tuesday, April 18
4th Grade ELA Reading on Wednesday, April 12 and Thursday, April 13
4th Grade Math on Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20
5th Grade ELA Reading on Monday, April 10 and April 11
5th Grade Math on Monday, April 24 and Tuesday, April 25
Your child will have an opportunity to participate in a practice test to become familiar with the paper-based and computer-based testing platform, item types, and response formats he or she will see on the FSA assessments. If you or your child would like to review the computer-based practice test at home, the practice tests and answer keys are available at http://www.fsassessments.org/students-and-families/practice-tests/.
For information regarding test session lengths for all Spring 2017 FSA assessments, please visit the FSA Portal at www.fsassessments.org, click on the Students and Families icon, then select Spring 2017 Testing Times.
Please review the following policies with your child before testing:
§ Electronic Devices—Students are not permitted to have any electronic devices, including, but not limited to, cell phones, smartphones, and smartwatches, at any time during testing or during breaks (e.g., restroom), even if the devices are turned off or students do not use them. If your child is found with an electronic device, his or her test will be invalidated.
§ Calculators- Calculators are not permitted during Grades 3–5 Mathematics tests.
§ Testing Rules Acknowledgment—All FSA tests include a Testing Rules Acknowledgment that reads: “I understand the testing rules that were just read to me. If I do not follow these rules, my test score may be invalidated.” Prior to testing, test administrators read the rules to students, and students acknowledge that they understand the testing rules by signing below the statement on their planning sheets, worksheets, or work folders.
§ Discussing Test Content after Testing—The last portion of the testing rules read to students before they sign below the Testing Rules Acknowledgment states: “Because the content in all statewide assessments is secure, you may not discuss or reveal details about the passages or items after the test. This includes any type of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting online, for example, on websites like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.” Please make sure your child understands that “discussing” test content includes any kind of electronic communication, such as texting, emailing, or posting to blogs or social media websites. While students may not share information about secure test content after testing, this policy is not intended to prevent students from discussing their testing experiences with their parents/families.
§ Working Independently—Students are responsible for doing their own work during the test and for protecting their answers from being seen by others. If students are caught cheating during testing, their tests will be invalidated. In addition, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) employs Caveon Test Security to analyze student test results to detect unusually similar answer patterns. Student tests within a school that are found to have extremely similar answer patterns will be invalidated.
§ Leaving Campus—If your child begins a test session and leaves campus before completing it (for lunch, an appointment or illness, etc.), he or she will not be allowed to return to that test session. If your child does not feel well on the day of testing, it may be best for him or her to wait and be tested on a make-up day. Please remember not to schedule appointments on testing days.
§ Testing Accommodations—If your child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), Section 504 plan, or English Language Learner (ELL) plan, please contact the school to discuss the testing accommodations that will be provided for your child.
If you have any questions related to this test administration, you may contact Ms. Reid, School Counselor or Ms. Tisza, Assistant Principal at 833-3580.
For more information about the FSA program, please visit the FSA Portal at www.FSAssessments.org.
Thank you for supporting your child and encouraging him or her to do his or her best during this test administration.
Mary Reid, Ed.S.
School Counselor
Test Coordinator
Wright Elementary
(850) 833-3580
______
WRIGHT ELEMENTARY YEARBOOKS -Will go on sale on Wednesday, February 1 (envelopes will go home with students) until Friday, Feb 10. The cost will be $20.00 each and checks need to be made payable to Wright Elementary. We also have just a few of last year’s book and the price for those is $15.00. First come, first serve.
Bill Miller Photography will be on our campus on Tuesday, February 21 to make individual spring pictures of our students. A proof will be sent home in about 4 weeks for you to order pictures if you would like. We receive a commission on the pictures purchased and we thank you for your support. If you should have any questions, please contact Gena Thrasher at 833-3580.
______
LOST AND FOUND – PARENTS: If your child has lost a jacket, please check our Lost & Found in the cafeteria. We have a lot that have been turned in.
Tips from Title I:Helping your child with reading doesn’t have to be hard! A child in grades K-2 should read to you every day if possible. Just 15 minutes can make a difference. Listen patiently and let the child correct their own mistakes. Wait until they finish the page or book to go back and help them fix words that were difficult. If the book is too hard, find an easier book!
Ask questions like: “Who is the main character?” “Did someone have a problem in the story?” “How did they solve the problem?” “Which character was your favorite?” “Why?” “Is this a story that could really happen?” If the text is nonfiction, ask: “What information did you learn?”
The more your child can talk about the book, the more they’re learning. Remember to make reading fun!
______
PARENTS: Very important: If your phone number changes at any time this year please send a hand-written note to the office with your new number.
______
THANK YOU BUSINESS PARTNERS/COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS!!
Trinity United Methodist Church PaPa John’s Pizza Striving for Perfection Ministries (S4P Synergy)
Lockheed Martin Burger King Little Caesars Dunkin’ Donuts Jade Nails
Piggly Wiggly Donut Hole Starbucks Panera Bread Coastal Bank and Trust
Publix
______
WRIGHT ELEMENTARY’S WEB PAGE: www.okaloosa.k12.fl.us/wrightOffice Phone # 833-3580 Fax # 833-3584 Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.