Soon, students in grades 3-8 will be taking the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests. These tests provide valuable data to the school and teachers in order to indicate the degree to which students have mastered various educational expectations. Results are used to evaluate programming and student growth. In order to obtain useful and valid results, it is important for all students to complete the tests.
AVA uses a balanced assessment system in order to measure student achievement and student growth. We use four types of assessments:
-
Formative Assessments – these are quick checks for learning conducted by teachers throughout the school year (teacher observations, class discussions, lesson practice, homework…).
-
Interim Assessments – there are a bit more formal and serve as progress monitoring and are conducted several times during the school year to see how students are progressing (DIBELS, iREADY)
-
Classroom Based Summative Assessments – these are assessments designed to provide information to be used in making judgments about student achievement at the end of a sequence of instruction (quizzes, tests, projects, activities…).
-
State Summative Assessments – Designed to be point-in-time snapshots of what students know and can do in core content areas (CMAS).
All of these assessments are important as we strive to use multiple data points in order to truly get the best and most accurate evaluation of a student’s achievement and growth.
I understand that the state standardized testing debate has become very politicized, however, we must not forget that we were once sitting in our children's seats. You probably remember the days when you were told to bring a #2 pencil so you could take the standardized test. Every year, we had to take a timed test and answer various questions, then read stories and answer questions about what we just read. These tests required critical thinking skills that we have used throughout our lives.
Taking the tests is not a traumatic experience; it is a reasonable and necessary one. Today, students and parents hear that tests are stressful, unimportant and that schools can be punished based on overall performance. That's simply not true. Our teachers do their best to create a positive testing environment, and the data we receive are very valuable to understanding each student's academic achievement and growth. We use this data to focus on strengthening various skills or concepts and to ensure students are appropriately challenged.
The benefits of the CMAS tests are as follows:
- We can see whether a child is performing at grade level as well as how he or she is performing relative to other students at AVA, within the district and nationally.
- It prepares students for standardized assessments that they will be required to take in high school and/or college (SAT, ACT, LSAT, MCAT...).
- AVA receives a more valid evaluation of the school's performance when there is a larger sample size.
- We can make informed decisions and choices for our students. Test data is used by administration and staff to drive curriculum and professional development choices.
- Test data may identify learning gaps that can be addressed.
- With open enrollment, schools often require a copy of test scores as part of the student's file.
At AVA, we embrace the test data. We use it to celebrate success and pinpoint areas for improvement. Test data is never used as a punishment, rather, it is used to set goals and measure progress.
Taking these tests is truly a life-long skill. Students will eventually need to take a test to obtain their driver's license, to gain admission into some high schools or colleges, to obtain a license to work in certain trades (teaching), and countless other things.
I am asking you to carefully consider this information when the testing window comes around. As a staff, we want to get the students excited about the test and show that it is not a burden. In fact, we have three simple rules for all tests:
- Take the test seriously!
- Do your best!
- Don't stress!
|
|
Friday, January 15th is Spirit Wear Day. Please refer to the Uniform Policy for guidelines. Students may wear any AVA shirt (shirt purchased from the Wolfshack, Landsharks, Fun Run, etc). Students MUST wear uniform bottoms.
Monday, January 18th, NO SCHOOL - Martin Luther King Day
|
|
Castle View High School
Incoming Freshman Information
CVHS Freshman registration is completely electronic this year due to COVID and their current remote learning posture. HERE are the Registration Instructions for incoming 9th graders. Within the document, students will view a video talking them through each step of the process. The google form MUST be completed by January 26th. If students and families have questions, are struggling with the registration process, or want to know more about the programs offered at Castle View, they will be hosting a virtual 8th Grade Family and Registration Help Night on January 19th from 5-8pm. Families will be able to access information for 8th Grade Night on the CVHS Website beginning January 18th. Visit their Website for additional information and click here for the Flyer.
|
|
Douglas County High School Incoming Freshman Information
On Wednesday, January 27th, counselors from DCHS will join your student virtually in class to explain the registration process to them. They will review the process, answer any questions, and leave contact information for anyone having questions that arise afterwards.
|
|
Mask/Face Covering guidance while on AVA property
We are all working hard to ensure every reasonable health and safety measure is followed to keep AVA open to in-person learning and allow our students to come to school. As we are seeing large spikes in people testing positive for COVID-19, we must be extra vigilant to keep everyone safe.
We have identified an area where we can up our game in order to be safer. During carpool we are seeing groups of parents/guardians gathering and interacting without masks or face shields. We completely understand the desire to socialize and we know social distancing is tough during carpool, but we can improve safety and health by wearing a face covering.
We are asking parents/guardians to please wear a face covering while on AVA property during arrival and dismissal. There is no requirement to wear a mask or face shield while in your vehicle.
Thank you for your assistance with this as we try to keep AVA open to in-person learning as long as the safety and health data show it is safe to do so.
|
|
Lost and Found is OVERFLOWING!!
Please stop by the main office lobby if you'd like to search for missing items. It is full and unclaimed items will be donated at the end of the month!
Volunteers needed to clean up lost and found and take donated items to the Help and Hope Center. Click here to sign up.
|
|
Action: Visit our school’s Kids Heart Challenge page: http://www2.heart.org/goto/aspenviewacademy OR download the Kids Heart Challenge app and register! Continue to share your pages, emails, and e-cards and challenge as many people as you can to live healthy and support your goal.
MISSION: Complete Finn’s Mission and be entered in the drawing for a mystery prize!
BONUS MISSION: Any Heart Hero Recruit who goes above and beyond by raising $150 online by 1/18/2021 at 7am will earn their own Agent KHC! RAISE $100 BY 2/19 AND GET TO SLIME MS. DAMM!!!
|
|
Yearbook 8th Grade Dedications!
We are excited to offer a section of our Yearbook for 8th Graders which will include 8th Grade Dedications! We will accept up to two photos and 50 words per dedication.
- 1/4 page $25
- 1/2 page $50
- Full page $100
Deadline to order is January 22!
|
|
Photos Needed!
The yearbook staff is in need of more specific pictures. If you have any of the following, please email them to photos@aspenviewacademy.org Thanks!
- Dance PAWty
- Holiday Class Parties
- Staff Holiday Contests (Halloween, Winter, etc.)
- Kids Halloween
- First Day of School pics
- Community Support Projects - AVA sponsored or maybe your family did something on your own! (This topic includes the photos from the Thanksgiving food drive)
- E-learning photos
- E-learning pet buddies
- School project photos.
|
|
Happy Grams
Do you want to wish your student a happy birthday for everyone to see? Now you can! For only $10, you can reserve an exclusive spot on the electronic board to send your message. For more details and to purchase click here at least 14 days in advance, and we’ll contact you for your message and payment. |
|
Red Robin Spirit Night
January 27th, 4-8
Red Robin will give 20% of TO-GO sales back to Aspen View Academy. Start your order at order.redrobin.com and select the restaurant. n the menu, go to the category labeled "Fundraisers (To-Go Only)". See Flyer for more details.
|
|
AVA Wolf Shack
The Wolf Shack will be open online only and we will get orders to your students’ classrooms once we are back in school. We have moved delivery days to Wednesdays. Orders need to be placed by 3pm Monday to be delivered Wednesday. If you are requesting to pick up at the front office, those orders will be labeled appropriately and brought into the office. To order, please click here.
Thank you for supporting the Wolf Shack - all funds raised go directly towards AVA PTO Events and Activities!
|
|
Middle School Sports
Spring is upon us, and our sports programs are still on "pause." Our school and athletic conferences main concern is keeping our students in school. Because athletics would include the mixing of cohorts, we need to monitor the situation closely. We will continue to track the safety of sports through Colorado and CHSAA, and send out any update accordingly. Thank you for understanding!
|
|
Fax: (303) 660-5959
Attendance Line: (303) 660-5940
|
|
Aspen View Academy
2131 Low Meadow Blvd.
Castle Rock, CO 80109
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
