Principal's Message

As we launch into the third week of school our academic programming picks up steam and students are growing their stamina to engage in independent and small group work, attend to mini-lessons and launch into new content aligned to grade level standards. At this time of year teachers engage students in important baseline assessments to understand students' current performance level and develop targeted instruction to meet their unique learning needs.

All students in Grades 1-4 will take an adaptive, online assessment that is aligned to National, grade level standards.

• K-2 students take an adaptive test called iReady. You can learn more about this nationally normed, adaptive assessment by clicking here.
• Students in grades 3-4 will take the STAR360 assessment. Click here to learn more about this nationally normed, adaptive assessment.

To help prepare your child for testing keep these helpful tips in mind:

• Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep before a test and has a healthy, filling breakfast at home or at school
• Try to make the morning of the test a pleasant one. Follow your regular routines and encourage children to work hard and do their best
• Make sure your child has taken any needed medication.
• Ensure that your child is present during testing (children generally perform better when taking tests in their groups rather than at a make-up time)
• Arrive on time every day this week (and always!)
• Wish your child good luck each morning of the test. Tell your child that he/she is special and that you believe in him/her!

Our Preschool & Kindergarten students will continue with 1/1 assessments across the first few weeks to inventory foundational, early childhood-aligned skills. You can read more about these assessments below:

• Click here to read about Teaching Strategies Gold for preschool students. We also partner with families to administer the ASQ and ESI developmental screeners. Be on the lookout for more information from your child's teacher!
• Kindergarten students engaged in the Illinois KIDS assessment. Click here to read more.

Your child's teacher will be a great first point of contact for all questions about beginning-of-year assessments. All students in Grades 1-4 will receive a beginning-of-year assessment report with progress reports, in Week 5 of the school year. Be sure to check their backpack on Thursday, September 24 for important information on their progress towards grade level standards.

Wishing you a terrific third week of school.

Warmly,

Conrey Callahan

Principal, New Field ES