1109 Copley Ave.          WaldorfMaryland  20602
Phone: 301-645-3338 or 301-753-1749   Fax: 301-645-0931

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February, 2007

Spring Testing Update

 

As many of you know, students in grades three, four, and five will be taking the Maryland School Assessment on March 13, 14, 20, and 21. 

Noted educator Rick DuFour writes about the importance for a school community to celebrate the efforts of the children. Last year our school made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as determined by the No Child Left Behind Act. Charles County was only one of 5 school systems in the entire state to have all of its schools meet AYP.

As this year’s testing begins, we constantly remind ourselves that teaching and assessment are not to be the focus just for two weeks in the Spring, but part of everyday life. Information on what the test measures and the format of the test are included in this newsletter. Please read the information carefully and be the “cheerleader” for your child during these weeks.

 

 


Maryland School Assessment

 

              The MSA is a test of reading and math created by the state of Maryland to meet the testing requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.  This act was signed into law on January 8, 2002 and requires states to develop standards and measure students’ progress toward these standards.  The results of these tests will help individual schools improve instruction and meet the needs of that school’s students.  These results will be used to develop school improvement plans.  Individual test scores will identify each student’s strengths and weaknesses.

            Our students will take the test for approximately 90 minutes each day.  There are two days for reading and two days for math.  Students will work by themselves to complete the test.  The test includes multiple-choice questions and questions requiring written responses.

            When the testing period has been completed, the tests will be sent to the testing company to be scored.  The results will be sent back within the next several months and the scores will be reported to parents.  They will show how well your child learned the subject matter and how your child performed compared to other children nationally.  The score report will also show school, local school system, and state performance on the tests.  Scores are reported in terms of basic, proficient, and advanced performance.  MSA scores alone provide only a partial picture of your child’s academic performance.  Together with your child’s class work, homework and other test scores, MSA results will give you a good indication of your child’s ability.


Students Earn Citizen of the Month Honors

 

The following students were honored as their class citizen of the month at a reception held on January 19th:

 

Daphne Cervantes, Taylor Chambers, Griffin Contat, Frank Brewer, Ciera McCarthy, Brandon Hill, Eric Schauf, Christopher Semiklose, Emily Swann, Cassandra Higgs, Noah Jenkins, Angela Young, Tess Franch, Hunter Gregan, Jabria Hill, Darryl Aaron, Cavon Whitfield, Pracella Suanders, Jerell Heard, Jada Farmer, Jaevon Hardy, Alexis Edelen, Sarah Shumaker


Student and Staff Recognition

 

Sarah Shumaker, Grade 5 student in Mrs. Turley’s class, and Mrs. Hannah Barnes, Building Service Worker, will be honored at the Charles County Public Schools February Board of Education meeting. Congratulations to these two individuals!!!

 


First Grade Teachers Shine at Conference

 

First grade teachers Nina Capuano and Lisa McCormick recently presented at the Scott-Forsmon Math Investigations conference in Delaware on the topic of “Using Manipulatives  for Critical Thinking.” They were the only teachers from Charles County to present at the conference, and this indeed is quite an honor for them and the school. 


Computer Bowl Whiz Kids Take 6th in County

 

A group of 4th and 5th grade students recently finished 6th in the county during the annual SMECO Computer Bowl competition. This competition is a one day event where students complete as a team a series of general knowledge questions using the computer. Congratulations to this years team on such a wonderful effort! Team members were:

Brad King

Justin Skinner

Jordan Dreher

DaijaPerry

Elizabeth Steinbach, CAPTAIN 

Dang-Quang Tran

Tarar Richardson

Zachary Turley

 


National Board Certification Teachers on Board

 

            Two of our teachers, Tracie Gregan and Lizzie Turley, are attempting to obtain National Board Certification Honors. This rigorous process includes data collection, observations of classroom lessons, essay writing by the teachers, and a working portfolio. This attainment is quite an honor as there are only about 25 teachers in the county with such a distinction. We wish them well as they continue on with the process.


Celebrate Black History Month

This month is Black History Month. Please check our school website, www.ccboe.com/middleton, for links to instructional information about Black History Month. Students are actively engaged in various activities in school to celebrate Black History Month.

This year, we will have a team in the Black Saga contest. The Black Saga contest is a history contest, where students compete against other schools in their knowledge of African American History from the 1600’s to the present. There are up to 700 questions that they may be asked during the competition. This group is coached by Mr. Frank Newton, parent volunteer, who has generously devoted his time this year to this and other projects throughout the school. These students will compete in a school and county competition on February 20, and the state competition at Towson Univ. on March 17. Members of the team are: Dylan Kavaky, Celot Carr, Cydnye Pittman, Breia Lassiter, Audrey Fox, Tommy Colder, Darius Jackson, Amia Renfroe, and Joshua Henriquez, and Jacob Gilliam.


Attention Parents and Students: Effective February 1, 2007, lunch prices went up to $1.75, and breakfast went up to $.85. Milk prices remain at $.40. This is the first price increase in three years.


Previous Newsletters

January 2007

December 2006

November 2006

October 2006

September 2006

May 2006

April 2006

February 2006

January 2006

December 2005

November 2005

October 2005


September 2005

Archived Newsletters 

 

 

 

 

 

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Site Updated July 27, 2005