4.11.23 7th Grade April Update

7th Grade Parents,

What a day!  75 degrees and getting warmer over the next few days.  Recess was incredible today.  I feel like Spring is finally really here, and we have been reaping the rewards at recess, the occasional outdoor class and other times.  The grove construction has finally finished also, so this helps greatly.  It was so great seeing many of you at our recent showcase, so thank you for all the support – the kids worked very hard on that project.  We have lots to look forward to in the coming weeks including the play, a Jazz Rock assembly, a winter sports celebration assembly, some more maker projects with Ms. Larionoff, a new gaga ball court, and maybe some outside lunch days under the tent.

I recognize this has been a heavy week of school communication, but I am off to a conference tomorrow and I wanted to also give you an update/reminder on a few things that are ongoing and upcoming.   

CTP V:  The CTP V is a standardized test we are administering next week to 7th graders.   You should have received information about this already.   We typically take these every two years at D-E, so if your child was here in 5th grade, that was the last time we did this.   This is a snapshot of your child’s progress, and results are mailed to you in the fall.   It bears no weight on any placement or grade decisions, and beyond the value you may derive from it, we use it to evaluate our programming as a whole and look for patterns or opportunities for improvement.  We are intentionally spreading testing out over 3 short morning sessions to reduce fatigue.   It is not a test to stress about or to try and prepare for.   Julie Luchs, our learning specialist, held a session with our 7th graders today to review the process and address any questions – the two key things to remember is to be on time for school with a charged iPad.  

Math Diagnostic Tests: The Math Diagnostic test is tomorrow as you know.  This is an internally designed test which provides us with further feedback on our programming and a snapshot of your child’s learning this year.   As the email from your child’s math teacher mentions, this is not a placement exam, but simply a reflection of your child’s math progress.   It is one minor piece of many factors that we use to determine the best math program for each child.   Again, this is not an experience to study for.  I just wanted you to have that information as a reminder, and to frame both of these experiences. 

Grades/Comments: Students will receive mid-semester comments in advisory tomorrow.   Parents can access on Thursday, and mid semester grades come out next week on Wednesday for kids and Thursday access is open for parents. 

Trips: On 5/19 the 7th grade will be gone on a grade trip to Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Ropes Course in Ledgewood, NJ.  We ask all students to please be timely in arrival to school so we can depart first thing in the morning.  We will return to campus in time for regular pickup and athletic practices.  We will also be doing a sailing trip with the students on the Hudson River on a learning boat called Clearwater on 6/9.  This is the final Friday of the school year, and along with an outdoor picnic lunch at the Alpine Boat Basin will serve as a culminating celebratory trip for the grade. 

Placement/8th Grade Prep: Placement for Math and Language or support classes for grade 8 is decided by department chairs and teachers.   Any changes will be communicated home to you.  Students will have some choice with regard to Arts and Discovery Classes for grade 8, so we will meet with students on 5/3 to go over those options and sign up.  They will have about a week to turn back in their choices during which time they can discuss options with you.  I will share those Discovery Class options with you as well around the same time.  By the end of May, you will receive a confirmation letter outlining your child’s selected choices for Discovery Classes as well as their full 8th grade course enrollments.  

Spring Carnival: Occuring on April 23rd.  See the recent email from our parent’s association about this all-school community event.

Spring Parent Forum: You should have received a note from our wonderful parent reps, but just as a reminder we will be holding our Spring Parent Forum next Friday, 4/21 @ 8:30am, in Hulst House.  I hope to see many of you there.  Rest assured, however, these Forums are community connection opportunities, not the sole place where vital information is shared, so if you are unable to attend, please do not worry.  I will be in touch a few times this spring about key dates, events, etc….