PARCC TESTING BEGINS THIS WEEK
This week students in grades 3, 4, & 5 begin taking the PARCC Assessments in English Language Arts (Reading and Writing) and Math. For each grade level there is 3 sections for ELA and 2 sections for Math. We space the days out to have a break between each section. Unlike the MCAS, the PARCC is a timed test ranging from 60-90 minutes in length per session. Because the test is timed, impact on the schedule is reduced. Students will maintain their regular schedule around the test. Lunch/recess times will remain the same. All classes will attend special subjects (PE, music, library, and art).
This assessment is a new test designed to measure proficiency on the Common Core Standards. We are treating this year as a baseline experience for gathering information about both the test and our performance. We will use the results of the assessment to plan for growth in future years and determine if additional shifts in our curriculum are necessary.
Our goal is to guide students through this experience with as little stress as possible. It is important for children to receive a similar message at school and at home. We are communicating that this is a brand new assessment and that the students are helping teachers, the test developers, and our state legislature learn about the assessment. This year, we are actually “testing the test” see if the questions are valid and reliable. Students (and our school) are not held accountable for the assessment in any way. The school district will use the results to make decisions about curriculum. The legislature will vote next fall to determine if Massachusetts will switch to the PARCC or stay with the MCAS.
PTO ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS AT LINCOLN-ELIOT SCHOOL
This week our PTO sponsored two in-school enrichment programs. Our Kindergartener received a visit from Newton author/illustrator Emile Boon. Emilie Boon has published over 20 books. Her presentation shares the step by step process of writing and illustrating books. Her presentation includes the creation of an original piece of artwork for the class. Students also have the opportunity to create their own crayon and watercolor pictures and an accordion book.
Our fourth grade classes participated in a Traveling Rock and Mineral Science Program from the Discovery Museum in Acton MA. Students learned the difference between a rock and a mineral, how rocks are formed, and had the opportunity to handle several large specimens of the 3 basic rock types.
On March 27th our first graders will experience a historical visit from Amelia Earhart. This coincides with the grade 1 Biography Unit.
- GRADE 5 CAMP TRIP INFORMATION NIGHT: Every year our fifth graders go on an incredible 2 night camp experience filled with character and team building activities before they go off to Middle School. Our fifth grade parents fundraise all year to make this trip happen. Join us on Wednesday March 5th from 6:00-7:00 to learn about the trip and ask questions. This night is open to ALL Lincoln-Eliot families.
- RECESS: Please continue to ensure your children dress appropriately with coats, hats, mittens, snow-pants and snow boots. I have a feeling we will need boots through the spring as the snow melts and the playground is wet and muddy.
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CLASSROOM NEWS
Mr. RAISNER’S GR. 2 COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
Mr. Raisner’s Class is raising money for their pen pal class in Costa Rica. The La Paz School students are making eco bricks to build garbage cans for trash and waste. Money will go towards buying cement, paint, and chicken wire to build walls. To learn more about ecobricks, please visit this website: www.ecobricks.org.
Please bring bottles and cans to Room 318 through March 28th. (See the attached flyer for details.
NEWTON SERVES
Newton Serves is a community service day across the city. Mark this date on you calendar and come to Lincoln-Eliot to help us spruce up our grounds and the playground to get ready for the spring. More details to follow.
UNDERSTANDING OUR DIFFERENCES PROGRAM
Understanding our Differences, a disabilities awareness curriculum, is delivered to all Newton students in grades 3-5 by parent volunteers. All Lincoln-Eliot parents, regardless of your child’s grade, are invited to participate in this dynamic program. In Spring, 2015 we will be delivering the following units:
At least six parents are needed on each of the following dates to help lead activities:
Grade 3 (Blindness): Monday, May 4, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Grade 4 (Intellectual Disabilities): Thursday, May 14, 2015 12:45 – 2:45 p.m.
Grade 5 (Autism Spectrum Disorders): Friday, April 17, 2015 12:45 – 2:45 p.m.
There is a 2 hour time commitment on the day of the unit and 30-60 minutes to train for the unit at your convenience with on-line materials.
This is a wonderful opportunity to engage with our students in the classroom.
If you are interested in participating, please contact the L-E parent coordinators, Debbie Berechman, dberechman@gmail.com and Cathleen Morrison, ccanhc@gmail.com.
DONOR’S CHOOSE
Mr. Raisner, Grade 2
My Project: Interactive Projector
Total Project Cost: $1945.00
$1897.00 TO GO
Having an interactive projector will allow my students to use this technology as a tool for their learning. The work that’s projected on the board can be moved around and manipulated. For example, when learning about geometry, students will be able to transpose shapes on top of each other. Using an interactive projector is a 21st century skill for students.
Several upper grade classrooms have this technology available to them. Getting them used to it now will help them in the future.
You can support Mr. Raisner’s Project by linking to:
http://www.donorschoose.org/raisner
COMMUNITY NEWS…
PAC Parent Advisory Group…
Talking with Your Child About Their Diagnoses/Disabilities
(This meeting was originally scheduled to take place on January 8th.)
Date: March 24, 2015
Time: 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Location: Ed Center, 100 Walnut St, Room 210 Newtonville, MA
Our presenters will be:
– Dot Lucci, M.Ed., CAGS, program director at MGH Aspire
– Daniel Almeida, Ph.D., BCBA-D, NPS District Supervisor of Applied Behavior Analysis Services
– Andrew D. Aspel, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Licensed School Psychologist, Newton South High School
– Kathleen Browning, M.S.Sp., C.C.C., M.Ed., NPS Coordinator of Speech, Language and Hearing Services
– Lynn Chachkes, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist, Licensed School Psychologist, NPS Countryside School
– Alison Mountford, Psy.D., NPS Coordinator of Therapeutic Services
Light refreshments and networking will begin at 7:15, and the presentation will start at 7:30 pm.
Please RSVP to Eileen.sandberg.newtonpac@gmail.com if you are planning to attend, just so we know who to email if we have another weather cancellation. We will post cancellations on our website at http://www.newtonpac.org.
MAYOR’S STEM NIGHT
Date: MARCH 30, 2015
Location: Newton North High School Cafeteria
About Mayor’s STEM Nights:
Mayor Setti D. Warren has started a new event series with local STEM industry businesses featuring an interactive, participatory experience to spark Newton students’ interest in STEM. These nights are a time for our students to get their hands on the latest technology, hear from local innovators and get excited about all that STEM has to offer. Each evening will be a partnership with a local business in the STEM field and will involve a speaking program as well as an interactive workshop for young people.
In partnership with the Newton Public Schools, we are committed to reaching out to our most vulnerable populations including young women, minorities and low-income children and families in an effort to help bridge the achievement gap. By partnering with STEM industry businesses, the “Mayor’s STEM Nights” will provide students with an exciting, hands-on experience that will demonstrate the practical application of STEM beyond the classroom and help to generate interest in the many opportunities STEM offers. Local innovators will also share their own stories about how they became interested in the STEM disciplines, what led them to their current career paths and answer students’ questions.
Event Schedule:
6:00pm – Public begins to arrive and food is available buffet style
6:30pm – Speaking Program
- Mayor Setti D. Warren
- Superintendent David A. Fleishman
- Employees of Featured Business
7:00pm – Workshop/Interactive Portion
8:00pm – Wrap-Up and Conclusion of evening
Please contact Youth Services at youthservices@newtonma.gov with any questions.
(For more information, see the flyer in the flyer folder on the L-E website).
Save the date for Spring into Swing
Jazz concert & reception featuring jazz vocalist Semenya McCord to benefit NPS Creative Arts & Sciences 2015–2016 programs.
Date – April 10, 2015
Time – 7pm – 10pm
Location – Newton South High School
Newton Public Schools’ Creative Arts & Sciences Concert Series performer, Semenya McCord, has been invited to present a very special concert for Newton parents, faculty, and friends. Limited tickets for this 21+ event go on sale February 23rd.
Look for flyers in February. For more information contact Stacey Moriarty at stacey_moriarty@newton.k12.ma.us
NEWTON LITTLE LEAGUE…
Registration for the 2015 Spring Season is Open! Newton Little League baseball is for boys and girls, ages 4 through 12. Beginners and advanced players- Everyone is placed on a team!
Register today at: www.NewtonLLBaseball.org