Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate. Luke 6:36
Dear Parents/Guardians,
"You have a brain in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose." This quote by Dr. Seuss is so appropriate for this month for many reasons. First of all, March is the month we celebrate Dr. Seuss and Read across America. Friday, March 1st, there were readings and activities going on in many of the classes. Secondly, this month we are taking our standardized tests where our students will be using their "brains in their heads".
The first of the standardized testing will be the national religion tests taken by the 5th and 8th graders this week. These tests are published and scored by the National Catholic Education Association. Fifth and eighth grades are the benchmark years. Next week, March 11th-15th, we will be administering the IOWA Basics Tests to 2nd-8th grades. This
year we will be taking an up-graded version of the test (Form E) which
has been completely revised and re-normed to reflect the changes in our
standards, curriculum, and instructional practices. In addition, our 3rd, 5th, and 7th grade students will be taking the CogAT tests the following week. These are cognitive ability assessments testing verbal, non-verbal, and quantitative cognitive abilities. These, too, have been revised and re-normed. Because
of these changes in the tests, our students may experience a change in
their scores making it difficult to adequately or equitably compare
student scores on the new form with those received in previous years. These tests are going to be considered a baseline assessment for which future growth can be measured. Although these assessments are important, they are only one piece of information on your students' progress throughout the year. Attached is a letter from Riverside (publisher of the IOWA's) to explain this further.
During the IOWA testing, we hope to have the students working in their garden plots. We
are going to purchase dirt for the gardens, and we are asking parents
(if possible) to donate bags of shredded hard wood mulch. More information about the gardens and how you can become more involved will be sent out.
Thursday, March 7th, we are having a talent show. Several children tried out, and we have 25 wonderful acts that will perform in the gymnasium at 7:00. All are invited, and desserts will be served.
March 15th is the date for our Living Stations of the Cross. This wonderful 8th grade presentation will be at 2:00 for our student body and 5:30 for our parishioners. I encourage everyone to attend one of the times. This is always a very moving experience.
March 15th is also the last day of the third nine weeks. Report cards will be given on Wednesday, March 20th which is also the date for our next $1 out of uniform day. In addition, we have a Home and School meeting scheduled for March 20th at 6:00. Please
try to be there; they have cut down the number of these meetings in
order to make them more meaningful and get a larger attendance.
On March 22nd the teachers of the three Chattanooga Catholic schools have an in-service. This means that there is no school for the students.
March 28th is Holy Thursday. We will have a half day of school that day and will be off for Good Friday. The following week is our Easter vacation.
It is incredible how fast the year is going. After Easter, we will be in the final count down.
Enjoy your March. My staff and I wish you all a wonderful and holy Easter season.
God bless,
Jeri McInturff