Text Box: ISAT Testing ISAT testing for grades 3-8 will be February 28– March 4 with make-ups the following week. Please make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and a nutritious breakfast during this week. Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Since 2009, administrators, teachers and education experts have provided important feedback towards the development of the Standards. The first Common Core State Standards are developed for the K-12 areas of mathematics and English-language arts. Math and English standards were developed first because they teach skills upon which students build skill sets in other areas of learning. Subsequent standards will be adopted for Science. The standards define the level of knowledge and skills that students should possess from their K-12 education. By achieving these standards, students will be prepared to enter college and training programs and be well prepared to join the workforce. For students: Clear standards will help students and parents plainly understand the skills and knowledge students are expected to attain in each year of academic study. Text Box: Common Core Standards Overview The Illinois State Board of Education has adopted new academic standards for K-12 education to better prepare Illinois students for success in college and the workforce in a competitive global economy. These benchmarks are known as the Common Core State Standards. The state’s previous standards were adopted in 1997. The Common Core State Standards aim to provide clear, consistent academic benchmarks with “fewer, clearer and higher” academic standards. Illinois developed these standards in cooperation with 47 other states. The Common Core State Standards were developed through a process led by U.S. states to craft academic standards that establish clear and consistent benchmarks for essential learning and skills. They are the best and highest of Text Box: For teachers: Common Core State Standards will allow teachers to be prepared to teach to clear, learning goals for students. It is important to note: The Common Core Standards do not dictate how a teacher should teach to meet the goals. Local teachers and administrators will continue to develop education plans to help their local students achieve those goals. For school administrators: Clear standards will allow school officials to design curricula to meet these expectations and in years to come, research will demonstrate what works best. Experts expect these new standards to allow for greater quality, cost effectiveness For higher education: With these clear academic benchmarks, higher education programs and professional development opportunities can better prepare teachers in how to best achieve success for their students. Achievement of these standards will prepare students to succeed in college, job training programs and careers. Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: Text Box: PBIS School Store The School Store will be open March 14th– 17th in Mrs. Heider’s room before and after school. Students may purchase prizes with booster bucks which they earn throughout the day by demonstrating the 4 expected behaviors: RESPECT, ON-TASK, CITIZENSHIP, & KEEPING SAFE Some of the certificates available are: Leave School 5 Minutes Early Wear a Hat to School Free Snack at Lunch Be 1st in Lunch Line Sit at a Head Table Pizza Party No Homework Pass There are also school supplies, small toys, and candies available for sale. Come spend your bucks! Text Box: Night for Writers Night for Writers will be held on Wednesday, March 16th at 6:00 p.m. in the gym. All final Young Authors stories will be available for viewing from 6:00-6:30, and an award winning author of children’s literature (Deborah Ruddell) will speak briefly about her achievements and how to become an author. Forms will be sent home during the first week of March allowing you to purchase one or more of her books by completing the form and returning it to Mrs. Heider by Monday, March 7th at 3:00. Books will arrive before Night for Writers so that you may get them autographed that evening. Awards and refreshments will also be provided. Hope to see you there!

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