Building Updates
I wanted you to be aware of some of the recent improvements to our building that have been completed in the last few months. We now have security cameras that allow us to review footage if we have a reason to do so. These cameras were courtesy of a security grant that was awarded to us. The cameras compliment our new door entry way extremely well. You may also notice that over Christmas break acoustical tiles have been installed in the gym. Last summer the old tiles that had been painted over and were falling down, were removed. The new panels do help with the sound in the gym. We may look to add more of them in the future. The acoustical tiles were part of the maintenance grant that was written last spring. Finally, I want to extend my thanks to our PTO for the new sign in the gym and the new scorekeeper table that can be used for basketball and volleyball. Both of these purchases were courtesy of our PTO and are great additions to our gym. In a school, just as in your own home, there are always improvements that can be made. However, we do try to have a revenue stream to pay for those improvements. If not, then the Board does what you would do with your own budget. That is, save enough funds until we can make those improvements. Sometimes we have to be patient to make those upgrades. If the Peoria County Sales Tax Initiative is presented again to voters, the benefits for this tax would greatly enhance our building needs. Recent figures presented to me, should this tax pass at some point, would equate to a $100,000 to $120,000 revenue stream per year to Limestone Walters for the use of facilities.
PARRC
As I mentioned previously, students in grades 3 – 8 will be administered the PARCC assessment this year. This assessment is a stark contrast to what was taken in the past, Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT). Listed below are some frequently asked questions that you may have. However, by no means is this an all inclusive list but I hope it does help answer some of the questions you may have.
Q: What is the new assessment?
A: The new assessment is called Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC as it is commonly referred. Students in grades 3 – 8 will be assessed in math and English language arts. The assessment is based upon the new learning standards
Q: How is PARCC is different from ISAT?
A: PARCC is different from ISAT in several ways. First, since Limestone Walters is equipped with the necessary technology, PARCC will be administered online. In the past ISAT was administered with paper and pencil. Some schools will be allowed to test with paper and pencil, but the eventual goal of PARCC is for all assessments to be taken online. Second, PARCC is assessed with two measures, a Performance Based Assessment (PBA) and the End-of-the-Year Assessment (EOY). The results of these two assessments will then be blended to provide a final score. Third, PARCC adds new elements to the old multiple-choice format and allows for a better measure of students’ skills and abilities. For example, students may now be asked to choose the “three best” answers as opposed to just one answer.
Q: When will my child be assessed?
A: There are two windows for PARCC. The PBA assessment will be given during the window of March 9, 2015 through April 3, 2015. The EOY assessment window is April 27, 2015 through May 22, 2015. We will send out a notice when students will be tested. My intent is to start testing as close to the beginning of each window as possible.
Q: Will PARCC take the place of our current NWEA testing?
A: At some point PARCC may take the place of our NWEA testing. I am very sensitive to the fact that students are tested a great deal. While standardized assessments are important to help our staff drive instruction, I do believe that the amounts of testing need to be reasonable. PARCC is mandated by the state and we will approach it with optimism and the opportunity to grow from it. However, this year students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 will not take the winter NWEA assessment. Students in grades K, 1, &2 will continue to be administered the winter NWEA since they are not required to take the PARCC assessment. Our current 8th graders have already taken the winter NWEA assessment to help determine their course opportunities at Limestone High School.
Q: What kind of results can we expect to see from PARCC?
A: This year the PARCC assessment will be baseline data. That is, what each school scores will be their starting point. However, I believe as the process moves forward, the state will look at additional years of data to develop a normative score. We have been told to expect the scores relatively soon, but with some districts still testing via paper and pencil this year, that may not happen. Keep in mind this is the first year for PARCC so as the state goes through this process, changes are bound to be made.
We will continue to provide more timely notices as the dates for PARCC approach. Should you have any questions at all, please contact me.
CURRICULUM GUIDES
Our staff is working to develop curriculum guides with the new learning standards. More specifically, teachers will be developing four quarter plans that will be posted on each website. Our hope is to give you an overview of what your child will encounter each nine week period. Our goal, albeit an enthusiastic one, is to have these four quarter plans completed by the end of the year. To do this work well takes time, and the staff will be utilizing school improvement days, institute days, and outside classroom time the remainder of the year to accomplish this goal.
NEW START IN ILLINOIS
With Governor Rauner now presiding over Illinois, it will be an interesting time for the state. I am cautiously optimistic that the economy in our state will improve. However, there are major issues this spring that both sides of the aisle will need to work together to accomplish. Governor Rauner has said that he wants to increase funding for education and that certainly would be welcomed. We should be able to glean more details about the state’s fiscal stability when Governor Rauner delivers his budget address in February. As Colin Powell once said, “Never step on someone’s enthusiasm.” As more information becomes available, I will gladly share with all of you.
You are always welcome to contact me at any time. Remember that the greatest gift you can give your children is your time.
Sincerely,
Tim Dotson, Superintendent
I wanted you to be aware of some of the recent improvements to our building that have been completed in the last few months. We now have security cameras that allow us to review footage if we have a reason to do so. These cameras were courtesy of a security grant that was awarded to us. The cameras compliment our new door entry way extremely well. You may also notice that over Christmas break acoustical tiles have been installed in the gym. Last summer the old tiles that had been painted over and were falling down, were removed. The new panels do help with the sound in the gym. We may look to add more of them in the future. The acoustical tiles were part of the maintenance grant that was written last spring. Finally, I want to extend my thanks to our PTO for the new sign in the gym and the new scorekeeper table that can be used for basketball and volleyball. Both of these purchases were courtesy of our PTO and are great additions to our gym. In a school, just as in your own home, there are always improvements that can be made. However, we do try to have a revenue stream to pay for those improvements. If not, then the Board does what you would do with your own budget. That is, save enough funds until we can make those improvements. Sometimes we have to be patient to make those upgrades. If the Peoria County Sales Tax Initiative is presented again to voters, the benefits for this tax would greatly enhance our building needs. Recent figures presented to me, should this tax pass at some point, would equate to a $100,000 to $120,000 revenue stream per year to Limestone Walters for the use of facilities.
PARRC
As I mentioned previously, students in grades 3 – 8 will be administered the PARCC assessment this year. This assessment is a stark contrast to what was taken in the past, Illinois Standard Achievement Test (ISAT). Listed below are some frequently asked questions that you may have. However, by no means is this an all inclusive list but I hope it does help answer some of the questions you may have.
Q: What is the new assessment?
A: The new assessment is called Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC as it is commonly referred. Students in grades 3 – 8 will be assessed in math and English language arts. The assessment is based upon the new learning standards
Q: How is PARCC is different from ISAT?
A: PARCC is different from ISAT in several ways. First, since Limestone Walters is equipped with the necessary technology, PARCC will be administered online. In the past ISAT was administered with paper and pencil. Some schools will be allowed to test with paper and pencil, but the eventual goal of PARCC is for all assessments to be taken online. Second, PARCC is assessed with two measures, a Performance Based Assessment (PBA) and the End-of-the-Year Assessment (EOY). The results of these two assessments will then be blended to provide a final score. Third, PARCC adds new elements to the old multiple-choice format and allows for a better measure of students’ skills and abilities. For example, students may now be asked to choose the “three best” answers as opposed to just one answer.
Q: When will my child be assessed?
A: There are two windows for PARCC. The PBA assessment will be given during the window of March 9, 2015 through April 3, 2015. The EOY assessment window is April 27, 2015 through May 22, 2015. We will send out a notice when students will be tested. My intent is to start testing as close to the beginning of each window as possible.
Q: Will PARCC take the place of our current NWEA testing?
A: At some point PARCC may take the place of our NWEA testing. I am very sensitive to the fact that students are tested a great deal. While standardized assessments are important to help our staff drive instruction, I do believe that the amounts of testing need to be reasonable. PARCC is mandated by the state and we will approach it with optimism and the opportunity to grow from it. However, this year students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 will not take the winter NWEA assessment. Students in grades K, 1, &2 will continue to be administered the winter NWEA since they are not required to take the PARCC assessment. Our current 8th graders have already taken the winter NWEA assessment to help determine their course opportunities at Limestone High School.
Q: What kind of results can we expect to see from PARCC?
A: This year the PARCC assessment will be baseline data. That is, what each school scores will be their starting point. However, I believe as the process moves forward, the state will look at additional years of data to develop a normative score. We have been told to expect the scores relatively soon, but with some districts still testing via paper and pencil this year, that may not happen. Keep in mind this is the first year for PARCC so as the state goes through this process, changes are bound to be made.
We will continue to provide more timely notices as the dates for PARCC approach. Should you have any questions at all, please contact me.
CURRICULUM GUIDES
Our staff is working to develop curriculum guides with the new learning standards. More specifically, teachers will be developing four quarter plans that will be posted on each website. Our hope is to give you an overview of what your child will encounter each nine week period. Our goal, albeit an enthusiastic one, is to have these four quarter plans completed by the end of the year. To do this work well takes time, and the staff will be utilizing school improvement days, institute days, and outside classroom time the remainder of the year to accomplish this goal.
NEW START IN ILLINOIS
With Governor Rauner now presiding over Illinois, it will be an interesting time for the state. I am cautiously optimistic that the economy in our state will improve. However, there are major issues this spring that both sides of the aisle will need to work together to accomplish. Governor Rauner has said that he wants to increase funding for education and that certainly would be welcomed. We should be able to glean more details about the state’s fiscal stability when Governor Rauner delivers his budget address in February. As Colin Powell once said, “Never step on someone’s enthusiasm.” As more information becomes available, I will gladly share with all of you.
You are always welcome to contact me at any time. Remember that the greatest gift you can give your children is your time.
Sincerely,
Tim Dotson, Superintendent