SBA and IAB Udpates

Assessment Department The purpose of the White River School District is to provide student data that informs actions that improve student learning.

Interim Block Assessments (IAB) Scoring Discrepancies The performance levels (Below Standard, At/Near Standard, Above Standard) reported for the Interim Blocks Assessments (IAB) are not determined by points earned.  Each item in an IAB has an associated difficulty (called a Rasch value) that was determined when the item was field tested. It is the relative difficulties of all items a student is able to answer that are used to determine that student’s proficiency. For example, two students earning the same number of points on an IAB might earn different proficiency ratings with one student being Below Standard and the other At/Near Standard. The student At/Near Standard was able to answer more difficult items.   Also noteworthy are the two-point items, if the IAB includes them. There is a Rasch value associated with earning only 1 point on a 2 point item that is significantly lower than the Rasch value associated with earning 2 points. In other words, it is easier to earn 1 point on the item than it is to earn 2 points, so a label of Difficult for the whole item does not capture the measure of difficulty for students earning 1 point.

DESMOS Calculator Update Starting on December 1, all practice and training tests that currently utilize a calculator in their Math or Science tests will now have the new DESMOS calculators automatically available. Also, any Smarter Balanced Interim, Smarter Balanced Summative, or Science tests will have available the new DESMOS calculators as well. The DESMOS calculators are enhanced versions of the previous basic, scientific, and graphing calculators.

Test Delivery System The test delivery system will be unavailable all day on the dates below to prepare for online test administration in Spring 2017.  As a reminder - these dates will also be posted on the Assessment Calendar in google calendars. Tuesday, January 31, 2017 Friday, March 3, 2017 Friday, April 14, 2017 Friday, April 28, 2017

Because it's not all about assessment...

Sesame Street: Janelle Monae - Power of Yet Do you want to grow up to be an author, an astronaut, a scientist, or a doctor? That's great! But maybe you don't know how many bones are in an arm or even how to spell...yet. Believe in yourself, work hard, stay focused, and one day you'll get to where you want to be. continue »

Meagan Rhoades

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District Assessment Manager
360.829.3815 (office)
253.973.3975 (cell)

Week of Nov 28

Reminders:
Building Learning Time Tuesday (2 hours of 55 min Mtg) Work with your team leads.

Friday, Dec 2 Make it Take it!
Rotation 1 9:30 - 9:50
Rotation 2 9:55 - 10:15
Rotation 3 10:20 - 10:40
Rotation 4 10:45 - 11:05

PLC Success Criteria
Team Leads met as a Building Learning Team and worked out a set of Success Criteria that would ensure collaborative, efficient and student-centered PLC/Team Time. Consider them "Norms+" and it reinforces much of what teams are doing already and what we are learning from other successful teams in the district. We will review these at our next Staff Learning Time.

Analyzing Student Work Identifying errors and misconceptions Reflect on the instructional plan and lessons Identify interventions and extensions Reflecting in the TACA (Team Analysis Common Assessment)	Efficiency Start on time Team is committed to their assigned roles Come prepared according to the Planner Accountability to Norms Links in Planner
Collaborative Learning Dialogue Calibration around student work Inquiry mind-set Open-Mindedness Vulnerable and asking for help	Interpersonal Skills Respectfully listening Attending to others Coachable and Willing to Coach Crucial Conversation Respectfully disagree

Events and Dates:
11/28 - Marilyn and Emry Out for Training
11/29 - 8:30 PBIS Mtg in Nick's Office
            8:30 - 11:30 1st Gr Math Training at FH Rm 300
            12:55 - 3:55 5th GR Math Training at FH Rm 300
            *Building Learning Time for Teams (2 hours) Work with Team Leads to plan time around Unit Planning.
 11/30 - 8:15 - 2nd/3rd Grade Area of Focus (AoF) Update Nick's Office
             8:30 - 11:30  4th Gr Math Training at WK Art Room
             12:55 - 3:55 3rd Gr Math Training at WK Art Room
             3:30 - 4th/5th Grade Area of Focus (AoF) Update Nick's Office
12/1 - 8:15 - Lauri's Wedding Shower
           8:30 - 11:30 2nd Gr Math Training at MM Library
           12:55 - 3:55 Pre/EK Math Training MM Library
           3:30 - Salmon Hatchery Trip
12/2 - Schedule A
           Spirit Day: Blue Friday
            Nick Out - Carla In
           9:15 - Make it Take it!
    

12/3 - 12pm - Someone is Getting Married! Woot Woot

12/10         3 - 5pm - Wilkeson Christmas Tree Lighting (Might be changed)

Week of Nov 14th

Here are some important details for this week's events:

1) Wilkeson Health Screening is tomorrow for all students for vision and hearing. See Kathy's Schedule

2) The Scholastic Book Fair is open this week through Friday. It is open form 8:30 to 4, but will be open in the evening on Tuesday for the 6:30 PTA meeting AND on Thursday for the Family Reading, Writing, and Pizza Night starting at 6:30. 

3) PTA Meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday at 6:30 - 7:30.

4) On Wednesday, White River is very excited to be bringing Jason DeShaw to our district. DeShaw is an inspirational speaker sharing his story of living with bipolar disorder and alcoholism through music and stories. His personal goal is to let people know that they are not alone and that there is help. He brings a strong message of hope. This message is for families, staff and is at the White River High School Auditorium at 5:30.

5) Thursday is our Family Reading, Writing, and Pizza night from 6:30 - 7:30. Book Fair will be open. Certificated: If you attend, you

6) And finally, White River School District is proud to present, SHREK the Musical. There are 4 live performances at the White River High School Theater on Thursday, Friday, and 2 on Saturday. Tickets $10 and evening performances start at 7pm. See attached Flyer

Jason DeShaw Performance and Story of HOPE

White River School District is very excited to be bringing Jason DeShaw to our district. DeShaw is an inspirational speaker sharing his story of living with bipolar disorder and alcoholism through music and stories. His personal goal is to let people know that they are not alone and that there is help. He brings a strong message of hope. Please share this out - someone you know may need to hear his message. Thank you.

Oct 24 - 28

Reminders and Details
1) Take the CEE Survey. There is some time carved out on Tuesday from 3:35 - 3:55 to take the survey.
2) October 31st All Elementary PBIS Training is at 12:45 at Mountain Meadow.
3) Nov 1 - 3 Early Release and Conferences. Evening Conference is Nov 3
4) Register for this class by Friday, October 28
1558 Wilkeson Building Learning Time 16-17 (4 hours)


Dates 

10/24 - Spirit Day
    Debbie Out

    8:30 PLC

10/25 - 8am PBIS

    Picture Retakes 
    Right Response Training (Carla Out0
    12:55 - Science Adoption Team at Annex (Lisa and Carolyn out)
    3:35 - Take the CEE Survey
    3:55 - PD 55min Mtg - Library "Glad Overview" - Tracy Nelson
10/26
    7:30 - 8:30 - Principal and PBIS Facilitators (Nick and Karena Out)
    5:30 - School Board Meeting
10/27 - Popcorn
    Carla Out
    8:30 - 11:30 - 2nd Grade ELA Mtg at Annex Conf Room
    12:55 - 3:55 - 5th Grade ELA Mtg at Annex Conf Room
10/28 - Schedule B & Blue Friday
     Nick out for CEL Training
   

ALL Staff Please Complete CEE Survey

CEE (Center for Educational Excellence) Survey- WHY? Looking at safety, climate, and school environment. Will take about 20 minutes. Will give parent perspective from elementary and staff about the building.

Need All Staff to please complete this survey. 

1. Notification Letter Explains Why We are doing this!
2. EMAIL: EES-Staff Survey: White River School District (search for this e-mail if might have gotten buried in your e-mail)

October 10 - 14

Reminders

• Math Trainings this week. This is note from Aaron Rumack:     
• Morning sessions are 8:30-11:30 a.m. and afternoon sessions are 12:55-3:55 p.m. Thank you all for your help with setting up these trainings! 
• First, we'll meet with Janis in the location listed to understand a lesson and plan what to observe from kids. Then, we'll head to a class (indicated in parentheses) for the actual lesson. After that, we'll return to the original location to debrief what we've seen. We'll learn together and ask teachers to choose goals for their own classroom practices. Our Early Learning team will dig into Bridges pilot materials rather than hosting a Learning Lab.
• Walk-a-thon is on Friday.

This Week:
10/10 - Square One Are DUE
 8:30 PLC

10/11 - Nick Out
8:30 - 4th Grade Math at Foothills Rm 300
12:55 - 1st Grade Math at Wilkeson Library
4:00 - 6:00 Building Learning Time (Area of Focus and Unit Planning)

10/12
8:30 - 5th Grade Math at Mountain Meadow Library
12:55 - EK/Pre Math Library at MM
5:30 School Board

10/13
8am Choir
8:30 - 3rd Grade Math at Elk Ridge Kids Club Portable
12:55 - 2nd Grade Math at Foothills Room 300

10/14 - Schedule B
Blue Friday
9-11am at DDC: Key Communicators Breakfast for Community
2 - 3pm Walk-a-thon (Rain or Shine)