Ms. Smith

CRCT Testing Schedule

                  Testing Schedule for CRCT

CRCT testing will begin Tuesday, April 21. All students grades first - fifth will be tested on Reading, Language Arts, and Mathematics. Third - fifth grade students will be tested on Science and Social Studies, as well. Please inform your child that taking this test is just like taking any other test they have taken this year. They should not feel nervous or anxious. Also, make sure your child's day gets off to a good start by having him/her eat a nutritous breakfast. Testing will begin at 8:00, please have your child at school on time.

April 21 - Reading

April 22 - Language Arts

April 23 - Mathematics

April 24 - Science

April 27 - Social Studies

 

CONGRATULATIONS RUFFIN READING BOWL CHAMPIONS !!!!!!!

WAY TO GO!!!!

This past weekend the Still Elementary Ruffin Reading Bowl participants won first place in the Ruffin Reading Bowl, county-level, competition held at Osborne High School. This is an amazing victory, as it requires a sound knowledge of several reading selections and the courage to compete in front of a large audience. The team will now move up to particpate at the district level. This competition will be held Saturday, February 7, in Jasper at Pickens Middle School. When you see our team be sure to wish them luck!

Team Members: Rachel B., Destini D-S, Jenny G., Emily K., Shaluma K., Leah M., Gracelyn N.,  Caitlin O., Brianne S., and Ann W.

What's Happening at Still

   

• Early Release Day - Wednesday, February 4
• PTSA Meeting/Science Fair Awards- Thursday, February 5
• Spirit Day - Friday, February 6
• Chick-fil-A Night - Tuesday, February 10
• Teacher Workday/Student Holiday - Monday, February 16
• Stevie B's Night - Monday, February 16
• Cosmic Bowling - Friday, February 27

 

 

Welcome Back!!! I hope everyone enjoyed spending time with family and friends over the winter holiday. I enjoyed the time away, but I'm glad to be back with my Still family. I'll try to visit all classrooms this week, just to say hello. Let's make this last half of the year a great one!

Upcoming Events

• Teacher Workday - Monday,  January 5
• Chick-fil-A Night - Tuesday, January 6
• Spirit Day - Friday, January 9
• Student Holiday - Monday, January 19
• Conference Week - Monday, January 26 --Monday, February 2

Assessments

Several assessments will be administered throughout the year in order to measure student achievement and set a focus for instruction.

• GKIDS/Kindergarten Only - September 10 (continuous assessment)

• CogAT/ First, Third, & Fifth Grade - September 17- 19

• ITBS/ Third & Fifth Grade - September 22 - 29

• Criterion Referenc Competency Test (CRCT) - April 21 - May 1

The CRCT will be administered to all first through fifth grade students in April. Please make sure your child is prepared by visiting the CRCT Online website: https://www.georgiaoas.org . This site will allow your child to take practice tests that contain items similar to those found on the actual CRCT. You should have received a letter from your child's teacher containing his/her Login ID and Password. If you have not received this information, please contact your child's teacher to request it.

Power Words

A few years ago I was fortunate enough to hear Larry Bell, author and inspirational speaker, at a Cobb County Professional Learning Inservice. Mr. Bell is the author of Twelve Powerful Words That Increase Test Scores and Help Close the Achievement Gap. In his work with students he has found that many of them struggle with standardized testing due to their inability to understand the vocabulary. In his books he identifies twelve words that, once mastered, can increase their achievement on standardized tests. Please take time to review these words with your child.

Twelve Power Words

1. infer - read between the lines
2. evaluate - judge
3. formulate - create
4. describe - tell about
5. support - back up with details
6. trace - list in steps, outline
7. analyze - break apart
8. explain - tell how
9. summarize - give me the short version
10. compare - all the ways they are alike
11. contrast - all the ways they are different
12. predict - tell what will happen

Welcome Back

I hope everyone enjoyed their summer vacation. This school year is off to an exciting start. Many of you have come to visit and have noticed how much our school has grown. There are several new faces among our staff and student population, and we are glad to have them join the Still family. We are continuing our School Improvement Goals from the 2007-2008 school year: proficiency in the areas of mathematics and writing. The teachers will participate in various staff development opportunities throughout the year, in order to stay current on strategies that will best serve your child in these, and other, areas of learning. Some of you have inquired about the curriculum, most of your questions can be answered with a visit to the Picasso website, http://picasso.cobbk12.org/?module=Pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=8&pid=1 . This website is filled with information ranging from curriculum to various parent and student resources. In addition, please feel free to let us know if we can help you in any way. Let's make this a great year!