Dear Lower School Families,

 

With Thanksgiving upon us, I have several thank you notes to share…

 

Thank you to the creative Lower School faculty and staff for creating an exceptional learning environment that embraces each child in a unique way. Each person contributes an individual factor in making the Lower School special.

 

Thank you to the students for all that they bring to school each day. Their energy, bright smiles, and kind hearts fill the Lower School with joy.

 

Thank you to the Fifth Grade Mustang Mentors for all they do to make our Lower School a better place each day.

 

Thank you to the families for your partnership, dedication, and volunteerism.

 

Thank you to the Parent Association for creating connections from school to home. Your time, energy, and commitment are so appreciated. Your efforts enrich our lives.

 

Thank you to the many individuals on campus who support the Lower School and allow us to work with the students each day. Your support of the school’s mission creates a joyful place for children to learn.

 

The Trimester 1 Report Card will be available online Wednesday, December 1, at 4:00 p.m. We provide report card assessments three times a year (trimesters: December, March, and June). 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 1 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 establishes goals for continued work in Trimester 2. 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. 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 report card includes skills to support learning and specific academic skills as well as a focus on social and emotional development that includes the Formative Five (divided into the categories of empathy, grit, integrity, self control, and embracing diversity). Each section includes a list of skills and knowledge that students are responsible for learning at varying levels of complexity. A narrative section of curriculum is provided to outline the material covered in Trimester 1. 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:

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

 

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

 

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

 

Demonstrates difficulty understanding or achieving grade level knowledge or developmental skills; the student requires support at school and home to move towards grade level standards.

 

 

A student may receive an ED for a standard in Trimester 1, and then receive DA or NS in Trimester 2 due to new or more complex expectations within the curriculum. 

 

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

 

 

Reminder for AFTER Thanksgiving: Leg coverage is required for all students beginning November 29 and ending on March 28. Leg coverage many include leggings, pants, sweatpants, or tights.

 

When the snow arrives, students must have the Big 5 to play in the snow. The Big 5 includes: coat, snow pants, boots, hat, and gloves.

 

Wishing you a time of rest and Thanksgiving next week!

Angie Crabtree

Lower School Principal