December 6, 2019

Dear Lower School Families,

The Trimester One Report Card is available online this afternoon. We provide report
cards as an assessment tool three times a year (trimesters: November, February, and
May). Remember that children develop and master skills at varying rates. Concentrate
on how your child is doing as an individual, rather than comparing them to a sibling or a
classmate. The Trimester One Report Card is a follow up to the information shared by
the teacher during the October conference.

The report card is a standards-based assessment tool that shares how a child is
performing in school and what needs improvement during trimester two. This is
different from a traditional report card which gives a single letter or number grade for
broad subject categories. A standards-based report card places the emphasis on
learning, rather than on comparisons among students. Each area is divided into a list of
skills and knowledge that students are responsible for learning. By providing specific
descriptions of the learning expectations and rating students on each, parents can see
where performance is proficient and where it needs continued focus and support.

The classroom report card includes a focus on social and emotional development, skills
to support learning, and specific academic skills. Each section is divided into a list of
skills and knowledge that students are responsible for learning at varying levels of
complexity. Students receive an assessment mark for each standard. A narrative
section of curriculum is provided to outline the material covered in trimester one. A
narrative section for a comment from the teacher relating to your child’s performance is
also included to outline specific information and establish goals for the upcoming
trimester. Specialist report cards also include a list of skills and knowledge within the
special area along with a narrative section to outline the curriculum covered during the
trimester.

The assessment scale to record performance for each standard is:

E: Exceeds Expectations
Consistently and independently applies and extends key concepts, process, and
skill above grade level expectations for the trimester.

M: Meets Expectations
Demonstrates a general understanding of the concept and skill and performs to
grade level expectations for the trimester.

NW: Needs Work

Inconsistent in their performance and requires repeated assistance with the
concept and skill; student is making progress but having difficulty applying skills
on a consistent basis for the trimester.

NA: Not assessed during this trimester

A student may receive an E for a standard in trimester one, and then receive NW or M
in trimester two due to new or more complex expectations within the curriculum.

Absences and tardies are also noted on the report card and website. Email Lyric
McKnight relating to any questions relating to an absence or tardy. Thank you for your
assistance in communicating this information to the Lower School so that we may
process student absences properly.

You may access the report card by logging in to the website. Select Children, and then
select your student’s name. Select the progress tab. Under the Performance box,
select LS Report Card 2019-2020. Select the link and it will download as a pdf
document. Save a copy for your records until Trimester Two report card is released.

If you have questions or need assistance as you access the report card, please feel
welcome to contact me at 303-914-2554.

Thank you,
Angie Crabtree
LS Principal
Colorado Academy