Fostoria City Schools

Fostoria Intermediate
From the Desk of Mrs. Matz
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March Newsletter Volume 1, Issue 7

1202 H.L. Ford Drive Phone: 419-436-4125 Fax: 419-436-4169

OAA FAQ

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What are the Ohio Achievement Assessments and why does my child take them? The Ohio Reading and Mathematics Achievement Assessments are annual assessments that measure how well students have learned the concepts taught in grades 3 - 8. The achievement assessments are designed specifically for Ohio students and are based on Ohios academic content standards. The federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requires all states to establish academic standards that tell what students should know and be able to do in reading and math at the end of each grade. NCLB also requires states to test all students in grades 3-8 annually in reading and math to assess how well students are meeting the academic content standards. The results of the tests are used to identify districts, schools and students that may require additional resources to meet state academic standards. What Ohio Achievement Assessments will my child take this year? All third through sixth grade students will be tested in the areas of reading and math. In addition to the core areas of reading and math, fifth grade students will also be assessed in science. When will my child be taking the Ohio Achievement Assessments? The first day of OAA Testing will be Thursday, May 1, 2014. The first test will be Reading, which will be administered on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Math will be administered on Tuesday, May 6, 2014. These dates will be for all 3-6 grade students. On Thursday, May 8, 2014, fifth grade students only will take the Science Achievement Assessment. Make-up tests will be offered during this time as well; all students are required to take these assessments. How do the Ohio Achievement Assessments benefit my child? The achievement assessments ensure that families and teachers know whether each student has learned the skills and information expected at each grade. The achievement tests can also help identify specific areas in which a student needs extra support and practice. Teachers and families can then work together to ensure that a student gets the help that he or she needs. The achievement assessments also help identify when students have gained a strong understanding of grade-level materials and may be ready to be challenged by more advanced concepts and activities. Do students with special needs or children who do not speak English as a first language take the same tests as children in general education programs? Schools are responsible for ensuring that all students, including special education students and English language learners, acquire the knowledge and skills expected at each grade level. Therefore, all students take statewide achievement tests. A small number of students with disabilities take an adapted version of the general education test, called the Ohio Alternate Assessment, which is designed specifically for students with cognitive disabilities. Students who are not yet proficient in English are given extra support to help them understand the tests, such as a dictionary, an interpreter or extra time to complete the tests. (continued on page 2)

Inside this issue

Principals Message. 1 & 2 Project MORE.............................. 2 Spring Pictures ............................ 2 Family Math Night ...................... 2 Characters of the Month............. 3 Scheduling 2014-2015................. 3 Literacy Specialist ....................... 4 Asst. Principals Message ............ 5 4-6 Guidance News ..................... 5 3rd Gr. Guidance News ............... 6 Book Fair ..................................... 6 McDonalds Peelers Winners ...... 6 Relay for Life ............................... 7 STEM News ................................. 7

Dates to Remember
March 3 - Spring Pictures March 3 - PTO Meeting 5:30 p.m. March 5 - One Hour Delay March 12 - One Hour Delay March 13 & 14 - 6th Grade to Camp Willson March 17 - BOE Meeting 6:00 pm March 18 Family Math Night March 19 - One Hour Delay March 20 - STEM Club

From Mrs. Matz (continued from page 1) SPRING PICTURES

Spring pictures will be taken on Monday, March 3. Students will not be required to wear Campus Wear on this day only. However, clothing choices MUST be school appropriate.
6. Where can I see samples of the questions my child answers on the test? The Student Success Web site at http://portal.success-ode-state-oh-us.info/ contains questions on the spring achievement tests. The Web site gives a detailed explanation of each question, the scoring guidelines for the questions, and explanations of each possible answer choice. The website also gives parents easy-to-understand explanations of the concepts that children need to understand to be proficient. How are test scores determined? There are different types of questions on your childs tests multiple choice, short answer, and extended response. Each of these is scored differently. Multiple choice questions are given a score of 0 or 1, depending to whether the answer is incorrect or correct. Short answer questions are given a score that could range from 0 2 points, depending on your childs performance. Extended response questions are given a score that ranges from 0-4 depending on your childs responses. What happens if my child is not proficient on the achievement tests? These test results are one of the factors, but not the sole factor, that teachers use to evaluate a childs readiness to move to the next grade. Teachers also look at the childs attendance, classroom participation and class work to determine whether the child is ready to be promoted. If your child does not score at or above the proficient level on any of the tests, this is a sign that he or she is having difficulty learning the skills and knowledge expected of the grade level and may need additional help. Students not passing the OAA may be asked to attend Summer School. **Please note that students in grade 3 will be required to have a score on the Reading OAA of 392 or higher in order to be promoted to fourth grade. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

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FAMILY MATH NIGHT

You are invited to attend the FIES Family Math Night. WHEN: March 18 WHERE: FIES TIME: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.

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Food will be served. Math apps and math websites will be demonstrated. There will be a make-it take-it session to make math games for home. Reservations are due no later than FRIDAY, MARCH 7. We must have reservations to have enough food for everyone! See you there!!

Project MORE is a reading intervention program offered at FIES. Students are seen in Project MORE four times a week for thirty minutes to work on improving reading skills through the use of repeated readings, graphic organizers, and comprehension checks. We use trained mentors to work with our students. We are always looking for more volunteers. If you can volunteer or know someone who can volunteer at least 30 minutes once a week, please contact Mrs. Berrier at 419-436-4125.

Scheduling 2014-2015
It is never too early to begin planning for the next school year. As we look ahead to the 2014-2015 school year we will begin the process of placing students in homerooms and developing class rosters. If you would like to request your childs teacher for the upcoming school year and have a valid academic reason, please stop by the school and complete the teacher request form in the office. These forms need to be completed by April 15. We will do our best to honor all requests but it is important that we balance our classes; therefore, we cannot guarantee that we will honor every request.

Characters of the Month

Congratulations to the following students who were recognized for the character trait, Caring: Miss Binkley Iris Bovee Mrs. Kuebeck Brady Barlekamp Mrs. Noel Drake Ritter Mrs. Reino Madison Naus Mrs. Ross Belinda Burkett Mrs. Schermer Ella Brose Mrs. Schreiner Caiden Coleman Mrs. Armstrong Samantha Haas Miss Bartz Natarius Smith Mrs. Linhart Kaden Carpenter Mrs. Sharkey Cheyanne Pierce Mrs. Terres Sierra Barchus Mrs. Wise Brooklyn Bermudes Mrs. Click Kamari Godfrey Mrs. Costello Alexis Sands Mrs. Hossler Zoe Rice Mrs. Hushour Dameon Sauber Miss Jennison Hannah Mathias Mrs. Lewis Makayla Owens Mrs. Riedlinger Dakota Crick Mr. Kramer Dante Burrier Mrs. Miller Matthew Crabtree Mrs. Riley Sam Willey Mr. Smith Aylah Slaughter Mrs. Stone Zachary Chavana Mrs. Ward Amijah Williams

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
Parent-Teacher conferences will be held at the end of March on dates to be determined. It is dependent upon make up days. A letter will be sent home later this month notifying you of the dates and your scheduled time. Please plan to attend to learn of your childs progress.

FROM THE LITERACY SPECIALIST

Dr. Seusss birthday is March 2nd. While Seuss is often associated with young children and reading, there are many famous and inspirational quotes that resonate with older children and adults as well. In celebration of Read Across America and Dr. Seusss birthday Id like to share some of these quotes. The first one is painted on our cafeteria wall where students can read it daily. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. Think left think right and think low and think high. Oh the things you can think if you only try! The more that you read the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places youll go. Youre off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. Soget on your way! Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple. Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you. A persons a person, no matter how small. Be sure when you step, step with care and great tact, and remember life is a great balancing act. And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed! (98 and percent guaranteed)! You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book! Students: Tell me how one or more of these quotes relates to you! Choose one (or more) quotes and write how it relates to an experience youve had, or what it means to you. For each quote you choose you will be entered into a drawing for prizes. Entries can be on any size piece of paper. Please include your name, teachers name, the quote, and your experience. I will be accepting entries all month, but will draw five names every Friday until Spring Break. Happy Reading! Dawn Skornicka Literacy Coach

From the desk of Mr. Renz

Elementary school students need to practice what they learn
You've probably heard the old saying, "Practice makes perfect." Well, it really is true. That's one of the reasons teachers give homework. It provides the extra practice children need to remember what they have learned in school. It's important to make sure your child does his/her homework every day. You can help by encouraging them to focus when they are doing an assignment. If he/she doesn't concentrate, they are more likely to forget what they have learned. And remember, the more practice your child gets, the more confidence they will gain. Also encourage your child to: --for math facts, vocabulary words, spelling words. Then use them with a timer to challenge themselves. Can she do the entire "7 times table" in a minute? few questions, too. learned that day. the word with its definition. You could also do this with math facts by putting math problems (7 + 4) in one column and answers (11) in another.
Reprinted with permission from the February 2014 issue of Parents make the difference! (Elementary School Edition) newsletter. Copyright 2014 The Parent Institute, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: J. Thompson, The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide, Jossey-Bass.

GUIDANCE NEWS
Last months character education topic was caring. Fourth grade students discussed situations involving people that would benefit from someone showing care and compassion. For example, we talked about how a student might feel if he/she was eating lunch by himself/herself. We then talked about ways that we can show that student we care. Fifth grade students read The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein, and we watched a short video about how caring and kindness are like a boomerang. We talked about when people are kind and show they care, like a boomerang, kindness and caring comes back to them in other ways. Students also began completing Kindness Cards they identified ways they can show kindness and caring. We shared a short story with sixth grade students about a caring young boy that gave his shoes to a person in need. We talked about situations that we may experience at school, and we discussed how we can show we care in each situation. Students were asked to share a letter with their parents regarding five ways they can show they care. I hope this is a rewarding and insightful activity for you and your child. Marchs character education topic is honesty, and we will focus on being truthful, sincere, and loyal. Grief and Loss (4th grade), and Friendship/Social Skills (5th and 6th grades) groups have been meeting for a few weeks. In the Friendship/Social Skills group, we have identified qualities and characteristics that are important to us when choosing friends. We are beginning to discuss problems that we may have with friends and how to deal with those problems. In the Grief and Loss group, we will continue to share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences related to the loss of loved ones. We are also discussing the different feelings we have when someone dies, including, shock, fear, and anger. These small groups will be finishing up just before Spring Break. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone at 419436-4125 ext. 3226 or by email at bsanford@fostoriaschools.org. Think Spring! Bethany Zambori-Sanford, Guidance Counselor

BOOK FAIR
Our next book fair will be held March 17-21 in the FIES library. Hours are 9:00-10:45 a.m. and 1:30-3:15 p.m. The book fair will NOT be open before school, after school or during lunch times. More info will be sent home with your student. Parents and students can access the following website: http:// bookfairs.scholastic.com/ homepage/ fostoriaintermediateschool
In the third grade classrooms, we began discussing our character word Caring for the month of February. The focus of the lesson was more on how to be caring to people that we may not play with or pay much attention to. We brainstormed different ways to be caring to others such as simply holding the door for someone, saying hi or good morning, or even sitting next to someone different at lunch. We discussed how the little caring things we do for others can change the way a person feels or thinks instantly. These caring acts not only benefit the person receiving, but also the person giving. The students were then asked to make a list of caring acts that they are going to try and do in the next week. They were challenged to really try and step out of what feels comfortable to them and do things for others that they normally would not do. My hope is that each student was able to do at least one caring act he/she wrote down. I would like to say THANK YOU to PTO and Bob & Dea Jo Zimmerman for being so caring to GINGER by donating funds to her account. The money raised or donated to Gingers account goes straight to her daily care needs such as food, hygiene products, veterinary services, etc. The students and I graciously thank you! Mrs. Dunn and Ginger

Thank You for Supporting the McDonalds Peeler Fundraiser!

Our McDonalds Peeler fundraiser was a huge success hereat FIES. Our students sold 948 peeler cards to their family and friends. Not only was this a great fundraiser for our school, but was an awesome service project as well allowing us to donate $948 to Ronald McDonald House Charities. We had 68 students sell 5 or more cards, 39 sell 10 or more cards, 21 sell 15 or more, and 14 sell more than 20 cards. All profits sold went directly towards students sixth grade camp trip. The following students were the top three sellers in the building, receiving cash prizes for their hard work! First Place Kamari Godfrey, 51 cards; Second Place, Abrianna Swartz, 42 cards; Third Place RJ Droulliard, 38 cards!

Next Generation Relay for Life Team

Like to eat at Bob Evans or get carry out? Want to help us Fight Cancer?
Bring the flyer in and join us for dinner at Fostorias Bob Evans on Thursday, March 6 th from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Bob Evans will donate a part of their proceeds from the night to Relay for Life on behalf of the FJSHS student team. Please share the information with family, friends, co-workers, etc. If you have any questions, contact Annette Griffin or Amy Baxter by calling FJSHS 419-436-4120 or e-mailing agriffin@fostoriaschools.org or abaxter@fostoriaschools.org. If you have any old adult or child sized chairs, stools, or benches at your house, would you be willing to donate them to the Next Generation team? The chairs can be wooden, plastic, metal, dining room chairs, lawn chairs, rocking chairs, deck chairs, etc. Our goal is to refurbish some old chairs into some really cool ideas and raise money by auctioning them off at a Chairity Auction. If you are interested in purchasing a Luminaria In Memory of or In Honor of someone, please contact one of us and we will get a form to you. The cost is $10 for each Luminaria. The names will be read during the ceremony at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, June 27th at Fostoria Stadium. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend this years Relay for Life Event at Fostoria Stadium on Friday, June 27th at 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremony is at 6:00 p.m. There are plans being made for a 5K Walk/ Run on Saturday morning, June 28th. More information will be forthcoming on the event.

STEM NEWS
STEM Club has been a flying good time! The 4th -6th grade students have completed their parachutes and tested their length of air time among the other groups. They then had to try and restructure the parachutes to stay in the air longer. Once this was complete we continued with force and motion by making catapults! The students were able to measure how far their pom pom flew and then redesign or adjust their amount of force to make them go farther. The 3rd graders were able to get started on learning about their bodies. This activity will be taking a few STEM Club nights to complete. They began with tracing each other for life size replicas of themselves. They then were able to cut out the organs and watch a video about the functions of each body system. Next, lesson they will learn the placement of the organs and measure their life size bodies. WHAT FUN!! 7