A Word From the Director

End-of-the-Year Testing

Acadience Math

Acadience Math is a universal screening and progress monitoring assessment that measures the acquisition of math skills from kindergarten through sixth grade. Acadience Math includes measures for early numeracy, computation, and problem solving. The measures function as indicators of the essential skills that every child must master in order to become proficient in mathematics. These measures are used to regularly monitor the development of math skills in order to provide timely instructional support and prevent the occurrence of later math difficulties.

A score falling above benchmark level indicates the student has skills above the expected score at this grade level.  A score falling at the benchmark level indicates the child is on track for success in math at their grade level. Students scoring at the strategic level have scores that fall in the mid-range and are in need of some supports to meet grade level goals. An intensive score indicates that additional interventions are needed in order for the student to meet the end of year math goals.

Acadience Reading

Students in grades K-6 are assessed using the Acadience Reading Assessment. Acadience assesses five skills that are necessary for learning to read. Children who learn these skills become good readers. The skills are:

• Phonemic Awareness: Hearing and using sounds in spoken words
• Alphabetic Principle: Knowing the sounds of the letters and sounding out written words
• Accurate and Fluent Reading: Reading stories and other materials easily and quickly with few mistakes
• Vocabulary: Understanding and using a variety of words
• Comprehension: Understanding what is spoken or read
• 
  

Acadience consists of seven short individual tests, called subtests. Each subtest focuses on a different skill and takes 1 minute to complete. Students may be given two to five of the subtests depending on his or her grade level. Each subtest provides specific benchmarks students must achieve. A score falling above benchmark level indicates the student has skills above the expected score at this grade level.  A score falling at the benchmark level indicates the child is on track for success in reading at their grade level. Students scoring at the strategic level have scores that fall in the mid-range and are in need of some supports to meet grade level goals. An intensive score indicates that additional interventions are needed in order for the student to meet the end of year reading goals.

Reports from K-6th were either sent home this week (lower grades) or will be sent after tests next week (upper grades). Please reach out to your child's homeroom teacher with any questions.

Resource Department Evaluation Update

In an effort to always seek information on where we can improve, we have enlisted the help of Dr. Maureen Huppe to evaluate our resource department. We are looking at our structure, practices, scheduling, and more and making sure it matches the needs of our students. She has spoken with our resource teachers, general ed teachers, and a focus group of parents. We look forward to seeing her recommendations as we always strive for growth and improvement. Look for a report detailing the results of the evaluation in our next resource newsletter. 

School Counseling Webpage

Don't forget that there is a school counseling page on our Curé website loaded with resources for parents as well as a referral link if you would like to get in contact with either of our counselors.

Kansas Assessment Testing Starting After Spring Break

Our end-of-the-year testing starts right after spring break with Kansas Assessments and continues into mid-May with MAPs and Acadience tests. Please look in your child’s newsletter from their classroom teacher for the grade’s testing dates. We ask for your support in trying to avoid scheduling appointments during those times as make-up tests will mean pulling them from other critical instruction. Also, we ask for your help in making sure students are getting a full night’s sleep the night before and have a healthy breakfast to fuel their brain.

Uniform Check-Ups

We are now three quarters into our school year, and the students have been growing both in mind and body. Spring break is a great time to schedule haircuts and to check on the length of shorts, pants, and skirts. Hems can be released from shorts and skirts to allow for some extra length without having to buy a new uniform item. We will be doing periodic uniform checks in the fourth quarter, and we don't want students to miss out on out-of-uniform days because they earned a uniform violation. 

Upcoming Newsletter Topics: 

Resource Department Evaluation Report

School Data and Student Growth Report from End-of-the-Year Testing

Have other questions that you would like to have answered? Just email bryn.timme@cureofars.com!