April 5th, 2024
Dear Ada-Borup-West Elementary Parents/Guardians,
We hope this letter finds you well. As we prepare for a new academic school year (2024-2025), we are excited to announce a change to our start-of-the-year procedures to enhance the learning experience for your child.
Assessment Days: Tuesday, September 3rd, and Wednesday, September 4th:
This year, we will be introducing Assessment Days on Tuesday, September 3rd, and Wednesday, September 4th for our Kindergarten through 5th grade students. Instead of the traditional start to the school year, these days will serve as an opportunity for your child to engage in a meaningful parent/student/teacher conference, academic assessments, and essential health screenings. The first full day of school for all elementary students will be Thursday, September 5th.
Please note that preschool will not have assessment days and will begin school on Thursday with the rest of the elementary students. Additionally, 6-12th grade students are not part of the assessment days and will begin school on the traditional day, Tuesday, September 3rd.
Why We Are Making the Change:
Our decision to implement Assessment Days on Tuesday, September 3rd, and Wednesday, September 4th is driven by several key reasons. First, we aim to provide parents, students and teachers with the opportunity to meet and get to know each other before the start of school, fostering stronger relationships and a supportive learning environment from day one. Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) will have dedicated time to work with their case manager and classroom teacher, ensuring their specific needs are addressed effectively. Additionally, these days will allow us to collect data to develop skill-based groupings and start foundation interventions as well as rigor and enrichment earlier in the year, ultimately benefiting every student's academic growth. Moreover, by minimizing distractions and interruptions during the first few weeks of school, teachers can focus on setting up routines and fostering a conducive learning environment from day one. We believe that by streamlining our paperwork processes and shifting the focus of our workshop week to professional development, eliminating the traditional Back to School night, will optimize teacher preparation and ensure a smoother transition into the school year for everyone.
Key Details:
Set Appointments: Students will be given a set appointment time for the assessment days. This ensures personalized attention and a focused conference with the student's teacher for the year. During the set appointments, parents/guardians will be required to remain with their child. Families with multiple children will be scheduled together to streamline the time needed. Most appointments will take an hour to an hour and a half.
Parent/Student/Teacher Conference: During the scheduled appointment, a parent/student/teacher conference (20 minutes) will take place, allowing for valuable communication and connection between families and educators.
Academic Assessments: Various academic assessments, including PRESS, FastBridge, ORF, and other evidence-based assessments, will be conducted. These assessments are instrumental in creating skill-based learning groups during PAWgress and helping teachers understand each student's needs and strengths.
Hearing and Vision Screening: To streamline our processes and eliminate the need for additional pull-out time in the first month of school, students will undergo hearing and vision screenings during the Assessment Days.
What to Expect Next: We understand the importance of accommodating your schedules. An attached Google form will be provided to indicate your preferred day and time for the Assessment Days. Class assignments and appointment times will be shared with families during the first week of August. This ensures that parents have all the necessary information to support their child's transition into the new academic year well in advance.
We believe that these changes will contribute to a smoother and more personalized start to the school year. Your cooperation and participation in this process are invaluable to us, and we look forward to partnering with you for the success of your child.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child's education. We are excited about the possibilities the new school year holds and can't wait to embark on this journey together.
Assessment Day Scheduled Appointment Request Form
Best regards,
Bree Triplett, M.Ed., Ed.S
Principal
Ada-Borup-West Elementary