Awesome April

You’re Invited! Title I/ Academic Support Parent Advisory Team Meeting Tuesday, May 7th at 8:40 a.m.

We will be reviewing Survey Results and discussing Program Design for next year. If you are able to join us, please let Sandy Artman know through a note or email: artman@appublicschools.com The meeting will last about 30-45 minutes. Check in at the main office and you will be directed to where the meeting will be held.

Preschool to Kindergarten Transition Resources added to Blog

In the menu at the top of the Home page of this blog are some preschool to kindergarten transition resources for parents and children. If you have a child who will be entering kindergarten in the fall be sure to check them out. More resources will be added to this page in the future so check back later in the year.

Preschool/Young 5s to Kindergarten Transition Information

Surveys

Before spring break, Academic Support Program surveys were given out to students, parents and classroom teachers to get feedback on program design, best times for meetings/workshops and program effectiveness. Answers have been being tabulated and results will be shared at the May School Improvement Meeting and at a May Advisory Team Meeting. If you have questions or concerns, remember you can contact Mrs. Artman directly at any time. Don’t wait for a survey to provide your input. Parents are valued stakeholders and members of Bennie’s Academic Support Program. Your input is always appreciated!

Parent Workshops

Most parents requested reading and math parent workshops for next year, followed by writing. If you are aware of presenters who give quality reading and/or math parent nights, please let me know. We are looking ahead to line up the best presenters possible for our Academic Support Nights. The workshops can be parent only or parent/child. This year, Eastern Michigan University hosted one of each for us. The parent/child one was the most well received of the two, according to surveys handed in on those two evenings.

Twitter

Twitter is useful for communicating to and learning from a wider educational community. If you use Twitter, Mrs. Artman can be followed on Twitter @sandyartman

Spring Benchmark Testing and State Assessment

Students in all grades have begun to complete spring benchmark testing with their classroom teachers. Benchmark assessments are given in the fall, winter and spring so that student growth can be measured and monitored. These assessments are also used to determine who would most benefit from receiving Academic Support and who no longer needs assistance and can be discontinued from receiving support. Students in all grades take the computer-based NWEA MAP assessment, Fountas & Pinnell Benchmark Assessment System (BAS), and DIBELS assessments.  In addition, third through fifth graders have been taking the state MSTEP assessment during their assigned testing windows.

Classroom teachers will let parents know how their children have progressed once spring testing has been completed. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.