Parents and Guardians,
As I mentioned at our 2018/2019 Back to School Nights, we are placing a special emphasis on reading and mathematics this school year. It is my hope this emphasis will allow Blessed Sacrament Catholic School to continue witnessing growth in student performance on the Iowa Assessment, PSAT and High School Placement Exam.
Last week, your student was given an online test in reading and mathematics allowing us to establish a baseline as they begin a new school year. Those results will be distributed for your review this week. As a reminder, we will re-asses students towards the end of each grading period to measure growth in each of these targeted areas. Teachers will use data to differentiate instruction, determine student grouping, and assist with lesson planning.
As you review your student’s results, I ask that you please reinforce their God-given ability to grow and improve with each school day. It may also be helpful to work with your student in setting a reasonable and realistic goal for the benchmark test dates. For example, a student may set their goal on growing by two months in reading or attaining a certain percentage in mathematics. The First Grading Period testing window is scheduled for October 17-18, 2018.
Finally, I invite you to take a moment and review A Parent’s Guide to STAR Assessments. This resource assists parents in better understanding assessments results and how parents can help improve student performance.
Envelopes with the results are due back to your child’s homeroom teacher by Friday, August 31, 2018. Please do not hesitate to contact me at (210) 824-3381 or michael.fierro@blessedschool.com if you have any questions regarding your student’s baseline results.
Be safe. Be joyful. Be blessed.
In Christ’s peace and mercy,
Michael Fierro
Principal