I hope everyone will be able to take some time to relax and refresh over Spring Break. It looks like the weather will cooperate here and there. The staff used our teacher work days to plan final units of study, discuss how we measure student growth, revisit our homework policy (and how things have gone since ramping up our enforcement of expectations with regard to completing work, and homework). Several of our teachers went to visit a school during their math time, to observe the use of a curriculum we are considering for MRA. Soon Alders will be deciding what they would like to research for their independent project this year. Watch for information to come home within the first couple of weeks after break about expectations, and timelines.
Congratulations Randomly Insane Unicorns; Abbey Briley, Chloe Corless, Lilli Parry, Jelly Waters, and Josh Border for placing 16th out of almost 50 teams at our Regional Battle of the Books Competition. Way to go! I would encourage all students to set their sights on OBOB 2016. Competing for our school is a lot of fun, and, reading all those books is great for your brain, and, OBOB draws from a wide range of genres so you are stretched as a reader! A partial list of books has already been released on the OBOB website, and final lists for next year's battle should be finalized by July.
Over the next six weeks (or so), our school will be participating in state-wide testing. All 5/6th graders will be tested on English Language Arts (ELA), and Mathematics skills and knowledge. All 5th graders are also expected to take the OAKS Science test. The schedule is as follows:
OAKS and Smarter Balanced Assessment Schedule
April
Thursday, April 2nd 10:30-11:30 Science, All 5th graders
Monday, April 13th 10:30-11:30 ELA classroom activity, All Alders
Tuesday, April 14th 8:30-9:30 ELA, Alder West (Hood)
12:15-1:45 ELA, Alder West
Wednesday, April 15th 8:30-9:30 ELA, Alder West
Thursday, April 16th 8:30-9:30 ELA, Alder East (Sheveland)
12:15-1:45 ELA, Alder East
Friday, April 17th 12:15-1:45 ELA, Alder East
May
Monday, May 11th thru Friday, May 15th (except Wednesday) Math, All Alders
Please put this schedule on the refrigerator, set a reminder on your phone, and/or mark your calendar. The new test system, Smarter Balanced Assessment adds an activity component that must be completed in the classroom, prior to the test being administered. If a student misses the classroom activity, they are at a significant disadvantage for completing the test, as readings, videos, and discussion help build a frame of reference, authentic experience, and knowledge necessary for constructing a comprehensive response. In addition to being in school on the days of the test, it is critical that students are getting adequate rest, and nourishment on and around test days. A breakfast with a good source of protein is recommended. Some testing will occur after lunch, so a balanced lunch is important as well. Avoid sugary foods like fruit snacks, fruit juices, etc. that cause a quick up followed by a crash (not good for testing).
April is poetry month. We will be exploring poetry throughout the month. This is always one of my favorite times of the year for writing. So many students find poetry engaging, and exciting to write and share. Hopefully you’ve had an opportunity to enjoy some of this verse in the past. If not, you’re in for a treat.
Don’t forget, our MRA Auction is the third Saturday of April! Have you purchased tickets yet? Invite a friend, neighbor, or relative to come along. The auction is a fun event every year, and it is so important for the vitality of our special school. Thank you for your ongoing support. It is greatly appreciated by all of us on staff at MRA. See your April 18th at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds for a night of friends, fun and philanthropy.
Enjoy Spring Break!
Congratulations Randomly Insane Unicorns; Abbey Briley, Chloe Corless, Lilli Parry, Jelly Waters, and Josh Border for placing 16th out of almost 50 teams at our Regional Battle of the Books Competition. Way to go! I would encourage all students to set their sights on OBOB 2016. Competing for our school is a lot of fun, and, reading all those books is great for your brain, and, OBOB draws from a wide range of genres so you are stretched as a reader! A partial list of books has already been released on the OBOB website, and final lists for next year's battle should be finalized by July.
Over the next six weeks (or so), our school will be participating in state-wide testing. All 5/6th graders will be tested on English Language Arts (ELA), and Mathematics skills and knowledge. All 5th graders are also expected to take the OAKS Science test. The schedule is as follows:
OAKS and Smarter Balanced Assessment Schedule
April
Thursday, April 2nd 10:30-11:30 Science, All 5th graders
Monday, April 13th 10:30-11:30 ELA classroom activity, All Alders
Tuesday, April 14th 8:30-9:30 ELA, Alder West (Hood)
12:15-1:45 ELA, Alder West
Wednesday, April 15th 8:30-9:30 ELA, Alder West
Thursday, April 16th 8:30-9:30 ELA, Alder East (Sheveland)
12:15-1:45 ELA, Alder East
Friday, April 17th 12:15-1:45 ELA, Alder East
May
Monday, May 11th thru Friday, May 15th (except Wednesday) Math, All Alders
Please put this schedule on the refrigerator, set a reminder on your phone, and/or mark your calendar. The new test system, Smarter Balanced Assessment adds an activity component that must be completed in the classroom, prior to the test being administered. If a student misses the classroom activity, they are at a significant disadvantage for completing the test, as readings, videos, and discussion help build a frame of reference, authentic experience, and knowledge necessary for constructing a comprehensive response. In addition to being in school on the days of the test, it is critical that students are getting adequate rest, and nourishment on and around test days. A breakfast with a good source of protein is recommended. Some testing will occur after lunch, so a balanced lunch is important as well. Avoid sugary foods like fruit snacks, fruit juices, etc. that cause a quick up followed by a crash (not good for testing).
April is poetry month. We will be exploring poetry throughout the month. This is always one of my favorite times of the year for writing. So many students find poetry engaging, and exciting to write and share. Hopefully you’ve had an opportunity to enjoy some of this verse in the past. If not, you’re in for a treat.
Don’t forget, our MRA Auction is the third Saturday of April! Have you purchased tickets yet? Invite a friend, neighbor, or relative to come along. The auction is a fun event every year, and it is so important for the vitality of our special school. Thank you for your ongoing support. It is greatly appreciated by all of us on staff at MRA. See your April 18th at the Clackamas County Fairgrounds for a night of friends, fun and philanthropy.
Enjoy Spring Break!