January 16, 2015
Dear Parents,
Report Cards will be coming home a week today. Staff has worked diligently this year to adjust to the new reporting systems. Teachers have spoken with students about the meaning of the new system in the context of each student’s work. I have sent a number of communications to parents about the new report card. A Parent Guide to the new assessment system can be located at
http://cbe.ab.ca/programs/curriculum/assessment-and-reporting/Documents/ParentsGuide-Assessment-and-Reporting.pdf
A few very important pieces of information:
1. The report card describes the student’s achievement based on their body of work completed since September 2014 with an emphasis on what a student has shown he or she has achieved recently.
2. In each subject, there are 3-6 outcomes, which are to be assessed by a teacher. For example in English Language Arts, the teacher gives a number for each of reading, writing, constructing meaning, representing ideas. From these, a student and parent more easily understand a student’s areas of strength where they need to work to improve. Probably the most important number on the report card is the reading indicator. Without fluent reading skills, a child struggles and cannot excel. Every student from Kindergarten through Grade 9 should read daily for 10 (K-3) to 20 (Grades 4-9) minutes.
3. The descriptors for the numbers are significant and describe a student’s achievement of grade level expectations as published by Alberta Education:
a. 1 = Not meeting (lacks understanding or knowledge or skills to complete work, successful in rehearsed or highly structured learning)
b. 2 = Basic (adequate or simple understanding, uses knowledge and skills to do common learning tasks, successful in familiar learning situations)
c. 3 = Good (demonstrates an in-depth and well-developed understanding and uses knowledge and skills in a variety of learning tasks, successful in familiar and new learning situations)
d. 4 = Excellent (demonstrates a thorough and subtle understanding and uses knowledge and skills to engage in complex learning tasks and in novel, diverse and unique learning situations)
4. It is very important NOT to equate the new 1, 2, 3 and 4 to percentages. The two are not the same.
5. A crucial area in which to work with your child is reading. Please be sure to talk with your child about their achievement and look at recent evidence of achievement such tests, quizzes, assignments or projects.
Traffic
As the weather has worsened and snow has piled up, concerns about the safety of children around the school are being called into the school. Unfortunately there is a small group of drivers who are choosing their personal convenience rather than the safety of children.
Specific areas of concern expressed are:
-excessive speed in the school/playground zone
-U-turns in the school zone
-driving through stop signs
-parking in cross walks -47th street—many issues
If you observe unsafe driving, would you please note the licence number of the vehicle and call the school AND 311 and inform both the school and the city or police of the specific issues.
School Patrols begin on 47th Avenue and 6th Street will begin on Monday, February 2, 2015 following training of students by the police constable in charge of School Patrols. Additional signage will go up in the spring. I have requested that the south side of 47th Avenue be signed for Pick Up/Drop Off only.
Staff at school has worked with students to ensure that they have a good understanding of how to proceed safely. We need everyone’s help to keep students safe.
I respectfully request that all drivers exercise additional caution and care during these winter months.
Thank you for your help in these very important matters and for your support and help with your child and in the school.
L. Davis
Principal
Learning Commons - Parent Volunteers Needed Ms. E. Hansen
Do you want to be the first to crack the spine of a brand new book? Do you want to provide input into in the future of our library learning commons? We are looking for parents willing to volunteer in the library learning commons on a regular basis to help with things like shelving, processing new books, setting up fabulous displays, and assisting with our book fairs, etc. If you have a couple of hours a week to share on a flexible basis, we would love to have you join our team.
Also, we have an urgent need for parent volunteers to help in the library the week of January 26 - 30 as we inventory our collection and help us move some of our books. As much time as you could give us would be much appreciated.
Please let us know if you are available for any of the specific dates (let us know if you have availability morning or afternoon or both for Jan 26 - 30) or what week days/times you have available for weekly volunteering on an ongoing basis. We are happy to be as flexible as you need us to be!
If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Erin Hansen, Teacher Librarian, at 403-777-7760 ext. 2046 or ephansen@cbe.ab.ca
Elboya Band Bottle Drive – W. Irwin
Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the Band bottle drive. Once again, it was a huge success!
Twin Day – K. Woodworth
"Elboya Twin Day, which took place on Thursday, January 15th, was a big success! Many students dressed up alike, and we even had a whole bunch of Mr. Coward's doppelgangers running around the school. It was a fun way to show school spirit, and a big shout out to everyone who made the effort to participate!"
Sewing Stuffies Club - R. Facchina
The sewing stuffies club begins this Wednesday, January 21st at 12:15 pm in Room 23. All students partaking in the sewing club should bring their lunch to the classroom.
Artist In Residence – M. Rutland
On Wednesday January 14th, our Kindergarten-Grade 5 students presented what they have learned from our Artist In Residence, RJ from SoundKreations Inc. Over the 7 days with RJ, our students had the opportunity to learn to creatively express themselves while being active and having fun! The students worked very hard and put on an amazing Hip Hop show!
Day Home Anyone? – Mrs. C. Carbol
With the new school year starting in September of 2015 we are wondering if any parent within the area is planning to open a day home in the fall. We have had parent inquiries regarding Kindergarten aged students and care. Parents are looking for accommodations that would fit in with their specific Kindergarten schedule. If you feel you would be providing a daycare service of this type please call me at (403) 777-7760 ext 0. Thank you, Cheryl Carbol
Painting - Ms. L. Davis
Elboya is getting new paint! The office, staffroom, cafeteria, gyms and hallways are receiving a paint job starting the end of January. Preparations began over the holidays and painting will be ongoing until the end of March.
Winter Clothing – Mr. D. Siakaluk
With winter in full swing please be sure your child is dressed accordingly. Students should have mitts, winter jacket, boots, scarf and a toque. Students are outside over the noon hour unless it is below - 20.
Important Dates Monday, January 19th Jr. Girls Basketball David Thompson 5:30 pm
Tuesday, January 20th Jr. Boys Basketball David Thompson 5:30 pm
Wednesday, January 21st School Council 7:00-9:00 pm
Thursday, January 22nd Sr. Girls Basketball John Ware 4:30 pm
Sr. Boys Basketball David Thompson 5:30 pm
Friday, January 23rd Report cards sent home Fri, Jan 23 & Sat Jan 24th Jr. Boys & Girls Tournament David Thompson Wednesday,
January 28th Sr. Girls Fairview School Thursday,
January 29th Early dismissal 1:30 p.m.
Parent/Teacher Interviews 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Friday,
January 30th Parent/Teacher Interviews 9:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Wednesday, February 4th EOE ski trip (originally scheduled for Dec 3rd)
Thursday, February 5th Open House 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. for interested Families for all grades and programs and especially for Kindergarten, Grade 5 Intensive French, Grade 5 Continuing French and Grade 7 Late Immersion.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheryl Carbol
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