Welcome
to
Southwest
Families - April 2008
We are moving through our final quarter
of this school year with many activities and events already scheduled. You should receive your child’s third
quarter report card in today’s parent folder. If you have questions or concerns, do not
hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.
I encourage you to set up a conference if your child is not performing
at grade level. We need to work with you
to generate success for all students.
Testing -
Testing - Testing… During April and May we will be taking
standardized tests.
Standardized State Test -
3rd, 4th & 5th grades
April 16 & 17 - math
tests April 22 & 23 - reading tests
Make-up testing must be completed by May 1st
This is a state mandated test for all
students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. It will be a benchmark for student progress
compared to other students in our state.
The results will become a permanent part of each student’s
cumulative record. It also compares our
school to other schools in the state to see how we are doing. Vacations should not be scheduled during
these dates. Pulling students out of
class for make-up testing is more stressful and results are not as good
compared to when students take the tests during the scheduled days.
Fifth
Grade will take M.CA. science tests on April 30th
These are taken on the computer so we may need an additional day to
rotate all of our
5th graders through the computer lab.
The test is up to 90 minutes long.
We
will also begin our M.A.P. (Measures of
Academic Progress) testing for 2nd - 5th grades the first week in
May… more to follow next month.
Getting ready for testing… here’s what
students can do to perform their best during testing…
1. A good night’s rest 2. Eat a good breakfast
3. A bottle of water available during testing. 4. Bring a nutritious snack
5. Give your child support &
encouragement!!!
Early
Release Day - Tuesday April 15th students will be released at
12:30.
Southwest staff will work on data analysis and our
goals as part of our Staff Development plan.
Jump Rope
For Heart - We
will participate in supporting the American Heart Association this year through
a “jump rope for heart” event.
Students will receive a packet today to collect pledges for the American
Heart Assoc.; more information will follow with incentive details. This organization uses 80 cents of every
dollar received for research and education.
We all can make a difference for someone in our lives by supporting this
community event and helping others. We
will have a special event on April 17th from 3:30 - 5:00 as a culmination to
the fund raiser…students can participate in a variety of “jump rope
stations” and have a healthy snack as a thank you for their efforts in
supporting this fundraiser. It is a
family event, so students should attend with an adult. If you have any questions, please call. Thanks for your support!!!
Spring Picture Day - Friday, Apr. 18 -
This is an annual spring fundraiser.
Enstroms will photograph all students who are in school that day. (No make-up day.) You will receive a proof of the picture printed
on an order form for optional purchase.
All students will be photographed between 8:30-11:00 (Parents can bring
in preschoolers between 8:00-8:30.
Sibling groups can also be taken before school.) PTC will receive a percentage from all orders
plus $1.00 per pupil for participating.
Morning
Arrival… Students who walk or
ride bikes to school in the morning should plan to be at school by 8:20. That is our
first bell when students are released to go to classrooms. All students go to the cafeteria from 7:40 -
8:20 where they can complete homework, read, have breakfast and play board
games. More reading means increased
success - everyone can bring a book and read from 7:40 - 8:00.
End of day
Pick Up - All parents coming into the building to pick up your child at
the end of the day must wait by
the front doorway / library. It
is a huge safety concern to have people in our hallways at the end of the day
when students are trying to get organized and complete their day. All teachers bring their students to the gym
for bussing so students can have a hand-to-hand connection with you when they
come to the front hallway. We expect all
parents of all K - 5th grades to follow our safety plan. Teachers will be available to talk to you
after 3:05 if you need to make a connection.
Thank you for supporting the safety of all students at Southwest!
Playground
… Students are required to wear snowpants and boots
while the snow is still here. It is
important to have boots when the playground becomes muddy so students
aren’t spreading mud across the classrooms and their feet stay dry. Spring will come I am sure!
Lost &
Found … Our collection grows
daily! Stop by anytime! It is located by the lunchroom. Students can check through things after
lunch. Labeling clothing will help us
get items returned to the proper owner.
At the end of the school year we will have a “quarter sale”
and allow students to purchase items… meanwhile please pick up whatever
belongs to you.
April
Events:
4th - Fri. “Miss
Nelson” @ Reif Center
9:25-11:15 / 1st grade
8th - Tues. Boat
& Water Safety
15th - Tues. Early Release Day - students released at
12:30
18th - Fri. Spring Pictures 8:00 - 11:00
16th - Wed. 3rd, 4th & 5th grades - M.C.A. testing =
Math
17th - Thurs. 3rd,
4th & 5th grades - M.C.A. testing = Math
22nd - Tues. 2008
- 2009 Kindergarten Round Up @ Murphy
Elementary (4:00 - 6:00 p.m.)
21 - 25 Scholastic
Book Fair
22nd - Tues. 3rd,
4th & 5th grades - M.C.A. testing =
23rd - Wed. 3rd,
4th & 5th grades - M.C.A. testing =
30th - Wed. 5th grades - M.C.A. science testing (in the computer lab)
FYI - May 1st
- Thurs. PTC Carnival (after school -
more details will follow)
May 20th - Tues. Family
Art Night 4:00 - 5:00 ***bring your
grandparents
to visit
our school and enjoy student projects through the arts
We hope Spring arrives and stays with us soon!
Have a great April!!!