It's been a while since I have updated my blog so this may be a little bit longer post. Our students and staff returned to school last week energized after Spring Break. I have always felt that school really goes fast after we return from break. I will update below several different topics.
Spring MAP Testing
In the next couple of weeks our middle school students will begin the spring MAP testing sessions. 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students will be tested in reading and math. Additionally our 8th grade students will also be tested in science. As you remember the students were tested in the fall. As part of our PLP process each student established a spring goal in reading and math. We are hopeful that many of our students will reach their goal. To learn more about the MAP test, click here.
Spring Athletic Seasons
As the calendar turned from winter to spring we have a new athletic season. The 7th and 8th grade boy's and girl's track seasons have begun. The track coaches this year are Mr. Eric Glanz, Ms. Kim Meller, Mr. Steve Carey and Mr. Jared Carder. All four coaches are Clear Creek Amana CSD teachers. To view the upcoming middle school track schedules, please click here. From there click on either boys or girls track.
Additionally we also have many students participating in workouts to prepare them for the upcoming baseball and softball seasons. We do have a space in our middle school for our students to store baseball/softball equipment during the school day. If your child needs to store equipment, please have them come to the office.
Grading at the Middle School
Over the last two years the middle school teachers have been studying, discussing, and learning about assessment for learning and the Iowa/Common Core Curriculum. As part of this process our teachers began to reassess their grading strategies and practices. In many cases our teachers came to a realization that we need to consider ways to improve student learning through our grading practices. This doesn't mean that our students weren't learning but it does mean that in some cases our grades did not truly reflect the depth of learning by our students. We want to do a better job! In order to do this we are piloting some changes in our grading practices.
Our goal will be to share the learning expectations (learning target(s) and success criteria) with our students at the beginning of each class session. If you walk into our classrooms you will see the learning target(s) and success criteria outlined on the board. The teachers share with the students ways in which the student is able to demonstrate learning. Our teachers focus on how they can give their students more descriptive feedback on what the student needs to improve on in order to demonstrate that they have met the class's learning target(s).
During a lesson the students will know what success looks like. This is known as the success criteria. Often success criteria begins with an "I can" statement. This process ensures that our letter grades (A, B, C, D, F) are more reflective of what the student has learned within their coursework.
We realize that this process is new for all of us. Please feel free to ask clarifying questions and talk to your child about how this process works within their classrooms. I also welcome your questions. We will be sharing much more information in the upcoming weeks and months about this process.
Staff Change
Today, Thursday, March 31st, will be the last day that Mr. Brice Morris will be teaching at Clear Creek Amana Middle School. Mr. Morris submitted his letter of resignation several weeks ago so he can pursue a new career outside of education. We thank Mr. Morris for his service and wish him the best in his new career.
Mrs. Margaret Trumpold will be the long term substitute teacher replacing Mr. Morris. Mrs. Trumpold has a PE and Health degree from Coe College. We are very excited to welcome Mrs. Trumpold to our staff. Mrs. Trumpold's email address is margarettrumpold@ccaschools.org
7th/8th Graders Attend Financial Literacy Play
Next Monday our 7th and 8th grade students will be attending a play on financial literacy. The play will be held at our CCAHS Performing Arts Center. The play will begin at 9 AM and should last about an hour.
8th Graders Begin 9th Grade Scheduling Process
At the conclusion of the play on Monday our 8th grade students will remain at the high school to start the process of registering for 9th grade classes. To learn more about the high school class offering click here. Once you get to the web page click on the PDF titled: Course Catalog. It would be good for 8th grade students to review the course catalog with their parent(s). The students will do the initial scheduling at the high school however if the student or parent want to make changes to the schedule they will allowed to this summer or next year when school begins. If you have any questions about this process please email Mr. Mark Moody (CCAHS Principal) mmoody@cca.k12.ia.us or Mr. Mike Potter (CCAHS Assistant Principal) mipotter@cca.k12.ia.us
Events in our school next week
Monday, April 4
- 7th and 8th grade students attend financial literacy play, CCAHS Performing Arts Center, 8:45 AM
- 8th grade students begin scheduling process for 9th grade, CCAHS Performing Arts Center, 10:00 AM
- 6th grade MAP math testing
- 6th grade MAP math testing
- 6th grade MAP reading testing
- CCAMS vocal pops concert, CCAMS Auditorium, 7 PM
- 6th grade MAP reading testing
- CCAMS Dance, CCAMS Auditorium, 7-10 PM
April 11, 18, MAP testing continues
April 22, NO SCHOOL, Teacher Professional Development
May 2, CCAMS Girls Track Invitational, CCAHS Track, 4:15 PM
May 3, CCAMS Boys Track Invitational, CCAHS Track, 4:15 PM
May 18, 25, CCAMS Spring PLP Meetings
May 31, 8th Grade Celebration, CCAMS Auditorium, 7 PM
Have a great week!
Brad
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