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NEWSLETTER 
June 2017

Dear Parents,

The end of the school year is a good time to look back and review accomplishments, and more specifically those of our math program. We had quite a few successes this year that we would like to take the time to share.

As part of our commitment to reaching all students at their individual ability levels, we placed excelling 8th graders in a high school equivalent Algebra I class for the 2016-17 school year; several tested out of Algebra I at their respective high schools. This model will continue for the 2017-18 school year as we continue to offer advanced math classes where appropriate.

A team of students participated in Mathcounts and one qualified to participate at the state level. This school year our students spent over 2,516 hours practicing over 13,500 IXL math skills mastering 6,285 standards.  As we reflect and begin to prepare for the upcoming school year, we wanted to share with you the process by which students are placed in math classes.
 
Research shows that students are more successful in mathematics courses when they have a solid understanding of prerequisite skills. With the best interest of the individual student in mind, the following criteria are used in determining math placement for sixth, seventh and eighth graders:
  1. Glencoe Placement Test
  2.  ITBS math composite score
  3. Current year math grades
  4. Work ethic/behavior/maturity
All of these measures are integral to determining math placements and collectively indicate where a student should be placed.  No matter the math placement, students are given rigorous and challenging mathematics instruction.

The following excerpt from an article from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics captures our decision making process.

"Requirements for taking algebra in the middle grades should be clear and must not be compromised. Successful completion of a rigorous algebra course requires students to have prerequisite mathematical understandings and skills as well as a work ethic that includes the tenacity to stick with a problem or concept until it makes sense and the willingness to spend more time on assignments and class work. Furthermore, a key characteristic of students who are successful in algebra, no matter when they take it, is a level of maturity that includes a readiness to understand abstract mathematical definitions, to work with abstract models and representations, and to understand and make connections among mathematical structures-and this readiness should extend to making abstract generalizations."
Here is the link to read the complete piece.

As we continue preparing for the 2017-18 school year we are looking at areas that need improvement, namely reaching those students testing above grade level in Math in the middle grades. 

If you have any questions please email salpers@olphaz.org.

Sincerely,

Susan Alpers
Math Curriculum Dept. Chair

Donna Lauro
Principal


Are you interested in being a homeroom parent 
for the 2017-18 school year in grades K, 2-7?

Send your name to dlauro@olphaz.org.

1st & 8th grades are already filled.  Thank you!
SCRIP UPDATE

The Scrip office will be open on June 14th.

All Scrip will be available in the front office throughout the summer starting on June 15th.

Summer Office Hours  
Monday - Thursday 8 A.M. - 2 P.M.
2017-18 SCHOOL SUPPLY KITS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME

* Kits will be delivered to your home! 
You will have time to organize and label before the first day of school. Shipping costs are included in the cost of your kit.

* Higher quality supplies (no more mid-year binder breakage).

* Color specific teacher requests for binders and folders will be honored to ease organization.

OLPH receives a portion of the cost for every kit ordered. 

Thank you for your support!

EduKit Informational Flyer

... for Mrs. Saller and her family as they mourn the loss of her dad
... healing for Candis McKeever's uncle
... healing for Thomas Gionet, dad to Jacob 
... healing for Maria La Follette
... strength and healing for Polly Larsen
... for Nicole Gill, prayers for safety and strength on her trip to Peru
... for the Gonzalez family as they mourn the loss of Manuel Gonzalez
... healing for Floyd Lewis Sr. as he recovers from multiple surgeries
... for healing for Isaiah Romo, as he struggles with multiple health issues
... for the Brooks family as they mourn the loss of their father and grandfather
... for healing and hope in family relationships
... for the Marshall family as they mourn the loss of their dad and grandpa 
... for the Ford family as they mourn the loss of their dad and husband
... Amy Geltings as she mourns the loss of her dad
... healing for Dolores Mitchell, grandma to the Berry children
... for Alfredo De La Torre Iniquez, may he rest in peace
... healing for Ju-Leigh Sharp
... healing for Will Austin
... healing for Larry Tipsord
CALENDAR


June 18 - July 2 OLPH hosts Family Promise; contact Jodi Chermack, Annie Hoyle, or Jody Steele for information on how you can help
INFORMATION/FLYERS


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