HIGHLAND HIGHLIGHTS
TESTING SEASON IS UPON US!
Students in kindergarten, first grade and second grade are currently participating in the Montgomery County Public Schools Assessment Program in Primary Reading (MCPS AP-PR). This assessment is administered three times a year (fall, winter, spring) and provides teachers and administrators with formative data to make informed instructional decisions and monitor student reading progress. Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade are currently taking the Measures of Academic Progress in Reading (MAP-R). This assessment is administered three times a year (fall, winter, spring) and measures student growth in reading over time. These data enable teachers to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of each student. The Maryland School Assessment (MSA) is administered to all 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. The norm-referenced items provide national percentile ranks to describe how well a student performed in reading and mathematics compared to his/her peers nationally. The criterion-referenced items provide proficiency scores (expressed as Basic, Proficient, or Advanced proficiency level) to describe how well a student has mastered the reading, mathematics and science content specified in the Maryland Content Standards. Individual student scores are reported to parents in the fall. TheTerra Nova/Second Edition (TN/2) is administered to all 2nd grade students. These data measure student proficiency in reading, language arts, language mechanics, mathematics, and mathematic computation. Individual student scores are reported to parents in the fall. The following dates are provided to inform parents of the schedules for the state and county mandatory spring testing. Please mark these dates on your calendar. Parents should refrain from scheduling trips/doctor appointments/etc. on these dates. It is extremely important that students attend school on these days and participate in these assessments.
Gr. 3 & 4
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MSA Reading
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March 12-13
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Gr. 5
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MSA Reading
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March 14, 15
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Gr. 3 & 4
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MSA Math
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March 16 –19
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Gr.5
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MSA Math
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March 20-21
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Grade 2
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TN 2
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April 16-20
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NEW FLOORS IN THE GYMNASIUM
The State of Maryland has made funding available for Highland to have our wood gymnasium floors replaced this summer! In return, Highland PTA will provide 250 hours of volunteer time for the next two years. Please see Mr. John Alcoba, Parent Community Coordinator, if you are interested in volunteering opportunities!
UPDATE ON SCHOOL BASED HEALTH CENTER
Construction of our school based health center is moving along right on schedule. We anticipate that the health center will open summer 2012. The health center will provide enhanced health services and resources to our students and their families. A nurse practitioner or doctor will be on-site to treat students who arrive ill or injured in the School Based Health Center.
NOTE FROM THE HEALTH ROOM
This is a reminder for all Highland families: It is very important to have correct phone numbers for every child. It is very difficult to get in touch with some parents when their child is sick. Sometimes, students have real emergencies and 911 may need to be called. If any parent has received a letter from the health room before break about their child failing their hearing and vision screening, it is important to have them checked as soon as possible and bring the results of further testing to the Health Room.
OUTDOOR RECESS
As you are aware, temperatures are dropping and it is getting colder and colder with each passing week. Generally, students will go outside for recess when it is approximately 32 degrees or warmer. Please help us by making sure that your children are coming to school with appropriate winter clothing, hats and gloves, as they will be going outside for recess on most days.
Mr. Brian Freiss Wins the MCPS Teacher of the Year
Mr. Brian Freiss, a math teacher at Highland ES, recently won the MCPS Teacher of the Year for his outstanding contributions to education. He is a highly respected and well liked teacher among the staff, students, and parents. Congratulations Mr. Freiss!