Take Your Child to Work - April 23, 2009

April 23, 2009 has been designated as "Take Your Child to Work" day. Parents should send a letter to Mrs. Summerville stating that your child will be participating in this activity. An official letter from your employer would be helpful. This is an excused absence. If you have any additional questions, please e-mail me at tsummerville@hsv.k12.al.us.

Casual for a Cause and Skate Party

Friday, April 10, 2009 is the next Casual for a Cause Day. The boys and girls may wear their casual attire. Students in grades 3-8 who had perfect attendance during the standardized testing may participate in the skate party at Roller Time. The cost is $6.00.

Calendar of Events for the Week of 3-23-09

Monday, 23

• Last week for Pennies for Patients Fundraiser

Tuesday, 24

• Tuesday Tryouts; Morning Session at 7:15 a.m.; Afternoon Session at 3:15 p.m. These sessions are for students who need academic interventions as indicated on progress reports, report cards, and standardized test data.
• Chuck E. Cheese's Night 3:00 p.m. -9:00 p.m.

Wednesday, 25

• Spring Holiday Pictures; Class and Individuals

Thursday, 26

• Select Middle School Students - Beta Club Induction Ceremony @ 5:00 p.m.

Friday, 27

• ACTE Technology Competition @ VBCC
• Lee High School Magnet students will make presentation to our 8th graders; 8:30 in gym
• Chemistry Troupe to Jones Valley @ 12:00 p.m.
• Report Cards Go Home
• Elementary Kite Day during P.E. classes

Parent Tips to Help Prepare Your Student for Standardized Testing

All parents want to see their student(s) perform well in school. Parents play an important part in helping their children give their best performance on a test. The ideas presented below may serve as a guideline for parents when helping their student(s) prepare for testing.

What your student is learning on a daily basis builds the foundation for being able to demonstrate high achievement on tests.

During the weeks leading up to the TEST begin to talk to your student about the importance of giving their best effort during testing. The following thoughts will help you in preparing your child for being ready to give the test his or her all.

The night before:

• Help your child get to bed on time. Research shows that being well-rested helps students do better.
• Help children resolve immediate arguments before going to bed.
• Keep your routine as normal as possible. Upsetting natural routines may make children feel insecure.
• Mention the test to show you're interested, but don't dwell on it.
• Plan ahead to avoid conflicts on the morning of the test.

The morning of the test:

• Get up early to avoid rushing. Be sure to have your child at school on time.
• Have your child eat a good breakfast but not a heavy one. Research shows that students do better if they have breakfast before they take tests.
• Have your child dress in something comfortable.
• Be positive about the test. Acknowledge that tests can be hard and that they're designed so that no one will know all of the answers. Explain that doing your best is what counts. The important thing is to make your child comfortable and confident about the test.

After the test:

• Talk to your child about his or her feelings about the test, making sure you acknowledge the effort such a task requires.
• Discuss what was easy and what was hard; discuss what your child learned from the test.
• Discuss what changes your child would make if he or she were to retake the test.
• Explain that performance on a test is not a condition for you to love your child. You love your child just for the person he or she is.

2009 Spring Testing Schedule

March 31

ARMT Part 2 Reading Subtest

April 1

ARMT Part 2 Math Subtest

April 2

SAT-10 Reading Vocabulary and Comprehension

April 3

Make-up Day for ARMT/SAT-10

April 6

SAT-10 Word Study for Grade 3 Only; SAT-10 Language for Grades 3-8

April 7

SAT-10 Math Procedures and Problem Solving for Grades 3-8

April 8

SAT-10 Science, Social Studies, OLSAT

April 9

Make-up Test

April 10

Make-up Test