Dear Middle School Parents,
We have several important events coming up in the next two weeks. We’re inviting you to join us for these events. Please mark your calendar.
Writing Assessment Program (WrAP) Test: 3-6 April
WrAP testing starts next Tuesday. Students in the Middle School will complete a standardized writing assessment. WrAP asks students to respond to a writing prompt in two timed writing sessions administered over consecutive days—closely replicating the natural writing process of drafting, revising, and completing a final version. Due to the nature of the test, children who are newer to learning English may not be required to take this test. The data we receive from such tests helps us re-evaluate our teaching and learning programs allowing us to make further improvements to better meet our student’s learning needs.
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing: 9-10 April and 16-17 April
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a computerized adaptive test. Students will take tests in Reading, Math, Language and Science. MAP tests students with engaging and age-appropriate content. As a student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty. Our team uses the data to inform instructional decision-making for increased student growth and achievement.
MAP testing starts Monday morning. Please remind your children to charge the laptops each night, especially during testing week. There is no preparation required for MAP testing. We do, however, recommend that students get adequate sleep and a good breakfast before they come to school for the MAP test.
Parents Meet and Greet with Jessica Pechhold
Jessica Pechhold, our incoming Middle School Principal is visiting during the week of April 9 through April 13. She will spend her week connecting with the leadership team, faculty, parents and students. Her time this week will be well utilized and will greatly help with her transition to her new position next school year. A "Meet and Greet" session is scheduled for Thursday, April 12 at 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the main courtyard, for parents to meet with her and get to know her. Please do join us.
MS Theatre Production – Switching Principals
Marvin Gardens Middle School is in all kinds of trouble. When a new principal is scheduled to arrive, everyone is hoping for a fresh breeze. What blows in, however, are George and Madge, two con artists who slipped in through the principal’s office window while hiding out from the law. It’s not long before the two criminals are mistaken for the new administrators. But can they turn the school around?
The MS team that brought you “A History of the Universe in Seventy Seven minutes” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” are proud to present “Switching Principals”, a door slamming fast-paced farce guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.
Tickets go on sale next week and will be sold before school at ES/MS entrances. Performance times are Wednesday, April 11th at 4pm and Thursday, April 5th at 5pm. 100 rupees per ticket.
There is a change in the schedule for this year. Students will have the E-Portfolio presentation in the morning followed by drop-in Parent-Student-Teacher conferences on Friday, 13 April. Students will have either a 8:45-9:30 or 9:40-10:25 E-Portfolio presentation slot. Parent-Student-Teacher conferences will begin at 10:45. Student must be present during these conferences. Please also remember to keep conferences to no longer than 10 minutes as other parents will be waiting to see the teacher also.
The drop-in conferences will take place in the following locations with the following teachers:
Madras Hall: All Specialist/Elective Teachers (Art, Band, Choir, DT, EAP, French, PE, Spanish and Theater)
BBT: Grade 6 and 8 Core Teachers (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies)
Hall of Light: Grade 7 Core Teachers (Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies)
In the past, after the e-portfolio presentations, parents had a chance to schedule a follow up conference with teachers. We have changed it to a drop-in as-needed-basis. Should you feel that a conference is needed, please ask yourself the following questions:
1. What information am I lacking? Can I ask my child to help me gain a better understanding of the question or concern I have?
2. Have I communicated my question to the teacher as a part of an ongoing concern or could I find the answer to my question by calling or emailing the teacher?
3. Have I asked my child to show me his or her e-portfolio, PowerSchool page, Google docs folder, rubrics or other evidence that may help me answer my question?
Following the conferences, there will be a Celebration of Learning in the MS CIC from 10:30-12:30.
Grade 8 to 9 Transition Coffee - Save the Date
All 8th grade parents are invited to a middle school to high school transition coffee on Tuesday, April 17th, from 8:45 - 9:45 am in the Hall of Light. A panel of current 9th and 10th grade parents will be on hand to share their thoughts regarding their own children's transition and to answer additional questions, parent to parent. Afterwards, the counselors will share with parents what to expect in our Freshmen Seminar program, a semester long course put in place to aide transition, and Ms. Basnight will share a few remarks on how standards based assessment and reporting in the high school is both similar and different from the middle school. Parents of grade 6 or 7 students who may be curious are most welcome to join!
Field Closure and New Track and Soccer Pitch Coming Soon
As you all already know, in the summer of 2018, we will begin year two of our Building Spaces 2020 Campus Development Program. Phase One this summer’s projects will begin next week as we start construction on our six-lane track and our main field soccer pitch. Starting this Sunday, April 1 at 5:00 p.m., the Main Field will be separated from the surrounding areas with an 8.5-foot wall on all sides. The area inside the wall is for construction and facilities personnel only and is off-limits to all community members.
We are starting construction before the end of the school year to assure space readiness for the start of the 2018-2019 school year. We will need your patience and understanding in the next eight weeks.
In order to maintain a safe environment, we need to be aware of this construction zone and treat it as an off-limits area. All sidewalks surrounding the field will remain accessible. The Elementary Playground will not be affected.
As the AISC Campus is not normally under construction during the school year, we will be communicating and instructing students to be vigilant and aware regarding safety in this area of the campus. Security teams will be in the vicinity of the area at all times. Faculty and staff have been asked to reinforce and model safety practices – specifically staying away from marked areas and reporting any questions or concerns. Parents, please support these efforts by familiarizing yourselves with the area on your next visit to campus, and reinforcing the need to be aware and respectful of the construction zone. Heavy machinery will be in use only after school hours and will be confined only to the area inside the wall.
Since the Main Field is not accessible during April and May, we have made other arrangements for groups that use the field regularly.
● PE classes will be using the other spaces on campus.
● ASA soccer on Monday and Thursday will use the rooftop courts or the Raptor Field.
● SAISA soccer is using the rooftop courts and switching one practice to a morning practice to avoid conflict with the ASA use.
● Track will use Raptor Field for sprints and jumps, a circuit of the school for distance, and the fitness room for throws conditioning.
● The Raptor Field will be available during lunchtime recess when not in use by PE classes.
We make every effort to avoid starting construction during the school year. It is unavoidable in this case as the new track and soccer pitch need to be completed before the possible rains in July. We appreciate your understanding as we continue to develop our spaces and provide the best possible facilities for our students.
Sincerely,
Alan Phan & Andrew Ranson
Middle School Administration