Announcements, April 8

Great Job 4th Grade on STAAR

Last week our 4th graders took the STAAR writing test and did a fantastic job.  They worked hard, and I know that we will see amazing growth in our student achievement this year.  Thank you to our 4th grade teachers for their hard work in preparing the students for this test.

 

\STAAR Test for 3rd & 4th Grade

We have 10 more school days until our 3rd and 4th graders take the STAAR Math and Reading tests.  Students will take the math test on Tuesday, April 23 and the reading test on Wednesday, April 24.  On these days, we will have a closed campus to visitors due to the state requirements regarding testing procedures and security.

Here are some things that you need to know to help your child be prepared to do their best on the test.

• Students will have 4 hours to complete the test.  Make sure your child gets a good night's rest.
• Students are encouraged to take breaks when they become mentally tired.  When to break is up to each child because they all test at different speeds and tire in different ways.
• Showing work and proving answers is a great strategy to ensure getting the correct answer.  All children have been exposed to multiple strategies that they can use to get the right answer, but each child should select the strategies that work best for them.
• Have confidence.  Some test questions are going to be difficult, but encourage your child to not stress out if they can't get the question answered.  Let them know it's not the end of the world if they miss a problem. 

Promotion Criteria

As we get closer to the end of the year, it is important that you keep in mind the criteria that your children must attain to be promoted to the next grade level.  If your child does not reach the required academic levels or compulsory attendance requirements, he/she will be in danger of being retained or will need to go to summer school to be promoted to the next grade level.

Here are the requirements to be promoted to the next grade level.

• PK - Students will be promoted to Kindergarten
• K - Should have a reading level of 3 to be prepared for 1st grade.
• 1st - Should meet the following criteria
• Have an average of 70 in language arts, math and science or social studies
• Have a reading level of 16.  Students with a reading level of 14 or 15 would be required to attend summer school to be promoted to 2nd grade.
• 2nd - Should meet the following criteria
• Have an average of 70 in language arts, math and one of the two:  science or social studies
• Have a reading level of 22.  Students with a reading level of 20 or 21 would be required to attend summer school to be promoted to 2nd grade.
• 3rd - Students must have an average of 70 in language arts, math and one of the two:  science or social studies
• 4th - Students must have an average of 70 in language arts, math and one of the two:  science or social studies

 

Summer School

GISD will offer summer school from June 10 - July 12 for all grades.  Students who continue to be behind in their reading can take advantage of our summer reading program from July 15 - August 9.  Contact your child's assistant principal if you have questions.

Here are Upcoming Events

 

Friday, April 12

• PK Field Trip to KidsView in Longview

Friday, April 19

• CHAMPs Assembly at 8:15 for PK - 1st Grade & at 2:40 for 2nd - 4th Grade students.
• End of the 5th 6 Weeks grading period.  Report cards go out the next week.

Tuesday, April 23

• STAAR Math Test for 3rd and 4th graders
• Students will take the STAAR test from 8:00 - 12:30.  Please make sure that your child has a good night's rest (8 hours are preferable), a good breakfast and lots of encouragement from you.
• SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL STUDENTS - Since this will be a closed testing environment, we will not allow visitors for lunch for ALL GRADE LEVELS.

Wednesday, April 24

• STAAR Reading Test for 3rd and 4th graders
• Students will take the STAAR test from 8:00 - 12:30.  Please make sure that your child has a good night's rest (8 hours are preferable), a good breakfast and lots of encouragement from you.
• SPECIAL NOTE FOR ALL STUDENTS - Since this will be a closed testing environment, we will not allow visitors for lunch for ALL GRADE LEVELS.