McAuliffe Monthly

McAuliffe Monthly APRIL 2019

Dear Parents,

This is a time of the year when the weather changes for the better and extra-curricular activities become a normal part of our students' lives. It is important that our students maintain a balance between school and home during this time. We want them to finish strong both academically and socially in preparation for next year. We also want to make sure that students in grades 3-5 are ready for the upcoming state tests (SBA). Parents can have a positive impact in this area by making sure their child completes daily homework assignments and is in bed at a reasonable time.

Have a great Spring Break!

Brady Howden Principal

School Year Extended Due to the recent snow day, the LWSD calendar has been adjusted to make up missed school time. Please take note of the following changes to our school schedule:

? Wednesday, May 1st ? Full School day (3:50pm release) ? Wednesday, May 8th ? Full School day (3:50pm release) ? Friday, May 24th ? Full School day (3:50pm release) ? Tuesday, May 28th ? Full School day (3:50pm release) ? Wednesday, June 19th ? Full School day (3:50pm release) ? Thursday, June 20th ? Last Day of School (12:20 release)

End of year celebrations for kindergarten and fifth grade have also been adjusted. Our kindergarten graduation ceremony will take place at 2:20pm on Tuesday, June 18th. Fifth Grade Promotion will be on Wednesday, June 19th at 2:20pm.

Dreambox Learning McAuliffe Elementary is piloting an online math program this year called Dreambox Learning. This is in addition to the work our students do within our district math program, enVision Math. Each week students are provided time within class to access Dreambox. This adaptive math program builds on each student's personal knowledge of math, appropriately challenging them in the area they are working and also providing instruction along the way. Teachers are able to use data from this program to inform their planning and instruction in math. Parents who wish to experience DreamBox Learning can go to , click on "Parent" and then click on "Try Sample Lessons" (found in the middle of the page).

Safe Driving Reminder As a reminder, please make sure to drive safely when dropping off and picking up your child. This includes stopping for crossing guards, driving within the speed limit, and being aware of your surroundings. Thank you for helping make our school a safe place for students as they arrive and depart each day.

Student Celebrations Help us celebrate our McAuliffe students! We want to know if your child has received a special award or achievement outside of school. Examples could be placing high in a dance, chess, academic, or athletic competition. We will acknowledge these events during morning announcements. Please email our ASB Supervisor, Jesse Magraw, at jmagraw@ if you have something to share with us.

McAuliffe Monthly APRIL 2019

Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) State testing often brings questions from parents. As a result, I wanted to provide some information about the upcoming SBA test that might be helpful to parents. I also wanted to address how we're preparing students at school and what you can do to support students at home.

Q: Can you provide information about the components tested within the SBA and other important details? A: The following link provides detailed information about the SBA:

Q: How are teachers preparing students for the SBA at school? A: One of the biggest changes for students and teachers is that all SBA tests will be administered on a computer. The look, feel, and tools available to students are different than anything they have experienced prior. As a result, teachers will be spending some time in class helping students become familiar with the testing format. This is standard practice across schools in our district and state. This practice provides valuable review for students as they work through a variety of problems in math and ELA. Practice also helps reinforce concepts and provides opportunities for teacher feedback.

Q: How should SBA results be received by parents? A: We always want our students to do well on any assessment. However, it's important to remember the purpose of assessments. Assessments provide teachers with information that direct instruction, interventions, and school goals. Each assessment is a piece of the puzzle, but not the whole puzzle, including the SBA. I would encourage parents to celebrate successes, but also understand the SBA is only one tool that measures student progress.

McAuliffe's SBA Testing Schedule will be as follows: 3rd Grade: May 7, 8, 9, 13, and 14 4th Grade: May 13, 14, 15, and 16 5th Grade: May 17, 20, 21, 22, and 23

Home Practice Resources: You can support your child at home by having your student take SBA practice tests. This will help your child become more familiar with the testing format and related tools. Practice tests can be found by visiting the Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program webpage at:

A P R I L 2019

8-12 18 & 22 25 29-30 30

No School--Spring Break Play at Eastlake Bingo Night Teacher Appreciation Week 4th Grade ?Camp Seymour Meeting

ASB Way to go Challengers! Thank you all

for your food donations to help stock Pantry Packs. It has been a close race with Alcott and both schools have donated over 2,000 items together. This month, 18 ASB students in 5th grade are headed to Tacoma for WE Day. This is were students from the Pacific Northwest come to together to celebrate their positive leadership impact in schools and communities. Thank you 5th graders for being models of leadership at our school and establishing a kind culture at McAuliffe! Jesse jmagraw@

LRC Our visit with Patrick Jennings was a

huge success. Students enjoyed his humor and he provided a great strategy for starting a story. Thank you to the PTSA for helping share some of the cost for this visit. Thank you for supporting this year's

birthday book club, 93 books have been added to the library! The winner of McAuliffe's Battle of the Books goes to team Book Brains-Rory, Molly, Keira and Malynn! Way to go, girls! J. Ahern jahern@

PE Happy Spring! Students in grades 3-5 will

begin preparing for fitness tests and start the game of Ultimate Frisbee. K-2 students will be busy with overhand throwing, locomotor skill review and striking skills with the foot(aka-soccer). I'd like to remind everyone that good rubber soled tennis shoes are a requirement for safety-students don't participate when wearing the wrong shoes. Please help your student remember his/ her specific PE days to wear good shoes. Have a wonderful and restful spring break! Stacie sstrong@

M A Y 2019

1

Full Day Wednesday

1-3

Teacher Appreciation Week

8

Full Day Wednesday

23

Art Walk

24

School in Session--Make-up Day

27

No School--Memorial Day

28

School in Session--Make-up Day

J U N E 2019

7

Field Day--School Barbeque

18

Kindergarten Graduation 2:20pm

19

5th Grade Promotion 2:20pm

19

Full Day Wednesday

20

Last Day of School--12:20 Dismissal

4th Grade Parents! Parent

Meeting Camp Seymour

Information Night

We will host a Camp Seymour Information Night for our incoming 5th grade parents on April 30th from 7:00-8:00pm in the McAuliffe Library. (Camp is in September.) We will discuss: camp facilities, classes offered, cost, volunteer opportunities, chaperones and fund raising. If you have any questions, please contact: Jessie Wellington jwellington@ and Julie Martin jumartin@

MUSIC HAPPENS!

Welcome Spring! We are happily listening to, "Four Seasons, Spring" by Vivaldi in the Music Room. Coming soon is "Bolero" by Ravel and "Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks" by Mussorgsky. Primary grades K,1 will be working on barred instrument technique. 3rd graders will begin a short recorder unit. 5th graders are continuing their prep for their ukulele unit. All students will enjoy a seasonal song or two as well. Janet jwarren@

The Lake Washington School District does not discriminate on the basis of ace, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, gender, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran, military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

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