5th & 8th Grade TCAP Writing Assessment
On February 1^st, all 5^th & 8^th grade students will take the  Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) Writing Assessment.  Students will be required to write a rough draft essay in response to an assigned prompt (topic) within a limited time period. Fifth-grade students are asked to write a narrative essay (a story), eighth-grade students an expository essay (an explanation), and eleventh-grade students a persuasive essay (an argument). The writing samples are scored holistically.

For more information about the test, scoring, sample prompts and essays, click here: www.tn.gov/education/assessment/writing.shtml

For test taking strategies, click here:http://www.tn.gov/education/assessment/doc/tsteststrategies.pdf 

Here are some links to interactive writing activities for grades 3-12:

•  Online Writing Games from Scholastic  (Click on the Writing Games tab down the left hand side of the screen) www.scholastic.com/kids/stacks/games/
  
• This web site takes users through the actual steps of writing a basic essay. Users develop an idea and write their own short essay, consisting of an introduction, a two- to three-paragraph body, and a conclusion. The web site provides questions that help to guide users step by step through pre-writing, writing, organizing, editing, rewriting, and publishing.   www.essaypunch.com/
  
•  Interactive Language Arts including writing websites by Jefferson County Schools. 
  http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/interact-la.htm
  
• Read a sample of a Fractured Fairytale and create your own Fractured Fairytale www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/interactives/fairytales/
  
•  Check out these fun writing games for kids. Enjoy a range of free activities, resources and practice exercises related to writing letters, stories, newspapers, debates, advertising and instructions. www.funenglishgames.com/writinggames.html
  

• These sites feature interactive grammar and writing sites that are fun to use with SMARTboards. The online games and quizzes cover topics such as nouns, verbs, sentences, proofreading, capitalization, punctuation, plurals, and more. ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/1567
  ___________________________________________________________________________

BINGO FOR BOOKS

Philadelphia will be hosting Bingo for Books on February 28th.  Parents, guardians, grandparents, and students will have the opportunity to play bingo in the cafeteria from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  We will play as many games as possible in a one hour time frame.  Each winner will have the opportunity to win a children's book of their choice from selection that we will offer.  There is no cost for parents and students to attend this event, so please come out and enjoy a night of promoting reading.
__________________________________________________________________________________

3rd Grade Legislation

PC 351: Prohibits the promotion of any third grade student to the next grade level unless the student shows a basic understanding of the subject of reading as demonstrated by the students’ grades or standardized test scores. 

By definition, Tennessee defines "Basic" as, ...demonstrating partial mastery in academic performance, thinking abilities, and application of understandings that reflect the knowledge and skills specified by the grade level content standards and are minimally prepared for the next grade level of study.

 
The following website will give you information on 3rd-8th standards that students are rsponsible for at each grade level.  These are the standards that your child's teacher is responsible for teaching.

Tennessee State Performance Indicators:  tennessee.gov/education/assessment/ach_rpt_cat_spi.shtml

_________________________________________________________________________________________

New Immunization Rules

For 2012-2013 entering 7^th graders

The Tennessee Dept. of Health has issued NEW IMMUNIZATION RULES and a NEW TWIS CERTIFICATE for students entering 7th grade.  Before students enter 7th grade (2012-2013) they will be required to have a Tdap and verification of 2 doses of Varicella or a history of having Chickenpox Disease.  When your child has received the immunizations please sent the new form to your child's school office.  Proof must be provided by Registration Day (August 6,2012).  If you have any questions, please see Teresa Barton, School Nurse.

__________________________________________________________________________________

New in 2011-2012 for 3^rd-8^th Graders

This year, fifteen percent (15%) of your child’s TCAP score will count towards the second semester grade (average of 4th, 5th, and 6th six week grades).  This change will impact third through eighth graders across the state. 
_________________________________________________________

SUGGESTIONS WANTED

ACCELERATED READING TESTS
Many parents have inquired about students being able to take Accelerated Reading tests at home.  Due to changes in our Renaissance Place program this year, students will only be able to take AR tests at school.   Students are given opportunities throughout the school day to take AR tests. 
__________________________________________________________

 DAILY AGENDA SIGNATURE
Parents are asked to sign the student’s agenda/planner daily.  The agenda/planner is a valuable tool to keep parents informed of what students are learning every day and also to help keep students on track with any homework that might be due the next day.

________________________________________________________________________________________

We welcome visitors to our school.  However, please stop by the office to sign in and pick up a Visitor’s Badge.  We look forward to meeting you. 

__________________________________________________________________________

We’re still collecting box tops for education!

Check the tops and sides of cereal boxes, beverages, paper products, refrigerated items, snacks and baby products for the Box Tops for Education symbol.  By submitting these small squares you can help our school earn money towards acquiring educational supplies. The school receives 10 cents for each box top.    Click on this link for a full list of products that participate in the Box Tops for Education http://www.boxtops4education.com/earn/clip/Brands.aspx

Please send all box tops to Mrs. McBride (6^th Grade).  We will continue to collect now and through the summer.
_______________________________________________________________