David Turnham

Challenging Children in Caring Classrooms

March 1, 2013 Dear David Turnham Family and Friends, Welcome to March and hopefully a return to warmer weather! Even with the continued colder weather, our students are working hard, learning and enjoying time with friends even when it is indoors! Assessment Update

As you know, ISTEP+ testing takes place throughout the entire state of Indiana the first of March and again the last part of April for ALL students in grades 3-8. Testing next week will be the shorter portion of the ISTEP+ in regards to time. However, this portion can be difficult for some students. This part asks students to write to a prompt for 55 minutes, read grade level text and then respond in sentence and paragraph format to questions asked. It also requires students to show all work when completing multiple step problems like the ones we have shared in past newsletters. In addition, students in grades 4-6 will produce written responses for Science or Social Studies questions. The test will be completed as follows: Monday, March 4 3rd grade practice test. Tuesday, March 5 3rd 6th grade - Writing prompt and open-ended math test. Wednesday, March 6 3rd 6th grade Reading Test Thursday, March 7 4th 6th Science or Social Studies Test o How do you help your child prepare for the test? Make sure your child is well rested and has had a good breakfast. The research is clear --- students who have had 9-10 hours of sleep perform 20% better than peers who have had 8 or less hours of sleep. Students who have had 910 hours of sleep AND a balanced breakfast perform up to 40% better on tests than their peers who have had neither sleep or breakfast. Encourage your child to do his or her best. Bring or send your child to school on time each day. Our students are ready for this test. They have been provided with top quality instruction and support and they have been held to high expectations for academic growth.
Assessment Update Acuity reports have finally arrived! Please call with questions. The latest SRI scores are also being sent home today. This report provides you with a history of your childs growth. While scores may go up and down throughout the year, there should be a growth from beginning to end. Let us know if you need help with this report. Extracurricular News TAKE DOWN CLINIC - "Patriots Wrestling Club" will be having the annual Take Down Clinic for students in grades 3-6 on March 18-21. (6:30-7:30 each night) All students who are interested in wrestling should attend!! Registration will be from 6:00-7:00 on March 5 & 7 at Heritage Hills. (white gym) For questions, call Grant Coleman at 631-3935. Thanks for having great kids, Mrs. Kemp

Phone (812)-937-4300 Fax (812)-937-4317 jkemp@nspencer.k12.in.us

Visit our school at www.nspencer.k12.in.us/dtec/