Fall Autumn Fest
Our Fall Autumn Fest Concert was held on Wednesday November 25th. The sweet voices of the Lincoln-Eliot students filled the hall. Thank you to Ms. Devon Nelson for all her hard work with our students to bring them to this performance so early in the school year. Thank you to the families who were able to attend. The children were so proud to share their voices and learning with you.
PARCC Assessment Results
This week, individual student reports from last spring’s PARCC assessment were mailed home from the Ed Center. Last year, Newton chose to pilot the PARCC assessment to learn how our curriculum is aligned with the Common Core standards and to learn more about this new test. Schools had the option of administering the test on a computer or with the standard paper/pencil format. Lincoln-Eliot chose the paper/pencil format as we felt learning about the new test was a learning experience in itself and the computer administration would involve a second unknown dimension.
We are just beginning to examine the results of the PARCC test at the school and district level. At first glance, Lincoln-Eliot students performed well and in a very similar fashion to the former MCAS results. In English Language Arts and Math, we scored significantly higher than the state averages. In English Language Arts, we outperformed the district in grades 3, 4, and 5. In Math, we scored above the district in grade 3 and slightly below in grades 4 & 5. Lincoln-Eliot met our Gap Narrowing Goals and scored in the “highest performing percentile” in our accountability rating. Although we are very happy with our performance, we are still analyzing what the data means and how it compares to former MCAS assessments and district benchmark assessments.
Recently the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted to transition to a new assessment called the MCAS 2.0 that will begin the spring of 2017. The MCAS 2.0 will be a hybrid of the Massachusetts MCAS and the PARCC tests. It will be more closely aligned with our own Massachusetts standards and accountability system. This upcoming spring, Newton elementary schools will once again administer the PARCC assessments to continue to pilot this test in English Language Arts and Math in grades 3, 4, & 5. Fifth graders will continue to take the MCAS Science test. (PARCC does not have a science component.)
We will keep you updated as we continue to learn more about the PARCC results and the future of the state assessment system.
Holiday Season is Upon Us
I hope everyone enjoyed the Thanksgiving holiday. At Lincoln-Eliot we have already begun to hear talk and feel the excitement of the Christmas and Chanukah holidays ahead. At school we focus on our curriculum and do not spend classroom time celebrating the religious holidays. But, the excitement is too much for children to keep bottled inside and conversations arise at snack, in the lunchroom, and at recess. It is interesting to listen to the children’s questions, wonders, and hopes. We are a very diverse community and families celebrate a variety of holidays and even the same holidays in very different ways. Please talk with your children about how people have different traditions, customs, and beliefs. Although we don’t celebrate in the same way, we respect others’ beliefs and traditions. Please share how the holidays are special for all of us, in our own way and we want to keep them magical for all.
PTO Meeting
Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 8 (8:30-9:15am) in the Library. Topics for discussion include playground follow-up, January Family Science Night and Spring fundraising.
Highlights from Classrooms – Spotlight on Music
From Ms. Nelson:
It was a pleasure to have many of you join us for the fourth annual Autumn Music Festival at Lincoln Eliot. It was a crowded event – both for the 9:00 and 10:00 programs, but we were thrilled to share what we’ve been working on in music this fall.
Third graders shared the first songs they learned on their recorders and were so excited to bring them home for the first time. The Fourth and Fifth graders complimented each other well in the rounds they sang together, as well as enthusiastically singing grade level specific songs.
The Second and First graders enjoyed adding some instrumental accompaniment to their songs on the xylophones, drums and jingle bells. Many Kindergarteners had the experience of performing in front of an audience for the very first time. My personal favorite part was when students of all ages joined together to sing.
The Third, Fourth and Fifth graders shared Over the River and Through the Woods, and the Kindergarten, First and Second graders sang their rendition of Raffi’s All I Really Need. For students, a shared performance opportunity brings their community together and adds the valuable experience of learning to be a confident performer and a respectful audience member. What better way to kick off the holiday season than by gathering together to share in the joy of music?
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot
A big thank you to all students and parents who walked/biked to school last week! Those that participated added a feather to our Thanksgiving turkey that was hung on the Jackson Road door. It looked great! Lincoln-Eliot families were also very generous with food donations and The Newton Center was very thankful. It is great to see our community give back to those in need.
Home Alone Safety Class – January 5 from 12:45-2:45pm
There will be a Home Alone Safety Class offered through Newton Community Education at Lincoln Eliot on Tuesday, January 5 from 12:45-2:45pm. This class is for 3rd-5th graders.
Description: Take the first steps towards independence. Learn telephone and door-answering techniques, accident and fire protection, first aid techniques, and all about Internet safety. We’ll talk about how to manage your time when you’re home alone for short amounts of time, watch an instructional video, and explore scenarios through role-playing.
Please take advantage of this opportunity for your child. The link for registration through Newton Community Education is:
https://registration.xenegrade.com/nce/coursedisplay.cfm?schID=7762
The course fee is $45, however please contact Ms. Uretsky if you need financial assistance or have any questions.