MCA Testing

The MCAs (Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments) are starting soon for Sioux Trail students.  These are state mandated assessments for students in grades 3-6 (at the elementary level). While the tests are a snapshot of student academic achievement the Minnesota Department Education uses the scores to make a lot of decisions.  The test results provide information on individual students and they are also used to determine the academic progress of Sioux Trail.  All Sioux Trail staff work to prepare to students throughout the school year.  Before we begin taking the final preparation I wanted to provide suggestions to help make MCA test taking a successful experience for Sioux Trail students and Sioux Trail families. Similar information was also sent home in Sioux Trail Touches Home on Friday, April 8.

Little Steps to Bigger Success: Please take time to review this information with your child. 

• Grades 3 and 4 MCA Reading Tests are scheduled for April 12^th and April 13^th. 
• Grades 5 and 6 MCA Reading Tests are scheduled for April 15^th and April 16^th. 
• Grade 3-6  Math tests are computer based and are scheduled for May. Watch for more details!

Test Preparation; Test-Taking Tips

When you take a test, you are demonstrating your understanding and knowledge through questions or by performing certain tasks.  

These suggestions can help you perform at your best.

BEFORE MCA Testing at Sioux Trail:

• Get to bed “early” – get a full night’s rest (8-10 hours/night) one, or even better two, nights before the day of the test.
• Eat a “good” breakfast the morning of the test – your brain needs food, particularly protein and fruit (protein = egg, nuts, yogurt, cottage cheese, etc.)  Avoid sugary food, and do drink plenty of water as well.
• Wear “comfortable” clothes – wear warm clothes that are in layers so you can take a layer(s) off if too warm,  and put them on if you get chilly.
• Don’t talk about the test to other students just before it - anxiety is contagious!  

DURING MCA testing at Sioux Trail:

• ·   Read the directions slowly and carefully!  This seems obvious, but helps avoid careless errors.
• ·   Be comfortable but alert, and maintain good posture.
• ·   Stay relaxed and confident, believing that you are well prepared for success.
• ·   If you feel anxious, take several slow, deep breaths to relax.
• ·   Review your test when you think you’ve done everything once.  Did you answer all the questions? Check for simple mistakes.
• ·   Proof read your writing for spelling, grammar, punctuation, decimal points, etc.  Does it make sense and look perfect?

 Thank you helping Sioux Trail students do their best on the MCAs!
 

Difficult Conversations

This post was written on Tuesday, April 5.

Today was a difficult day.  Three Sioux Trail teachers who have dedicated themselves to student success were laid off today.  The purpose of my writing isn't to blame; if I did that the list would be long.  My purpose is to call attention to the system and to let readers know about changes that are happening.

As you all know the Minnesota legislature has not completed a budget yet and because education funding is significant portion of this budget school districts can't plan their budgets for 2011-12.  In addition our Superintendent is sending the ISD 191 School Board a proposed balanced budget.  In previous years the school district has used funds from the fund reserve, stimulus funds or other sources to supplement the revenue from taxes.  A balanced budget is the fiscally responsible way to manage a budget, but it is tough when you see the impact of balancing the budget and /or lacking funding details from the legislature on the faces of dedicated teachers.

The process is much slower this year than it has been in previous years.  Around this time in previous years I would have been giving updates to Sioux Trail staff and then sharing details with the Sioux Trail PTO and our families about estimated class sizes and teaching assignments.  I do not anticipate any of that information being available for some time to come.

As always I'm willing to answer questions and provide any information that I can.  I would also encourage anyone who is interested to share thoughts with your school board.  These folks are the decision makers and they represent the taxpayers of ISD 191.

Minnesota Reading Corps

Sioux Trail will once again be a Minnesota Reading Corps site in 2011-12.  This will be our second year and we are fortunate to be doubling the size of the program from one tutor to two tutors at Sioux Trail.  Katlin Ring, current Minnesota Reading Corps tutor at Sioux Trail, plans to continue her work next year at Sioux Trail and we are recruiting one new member.  Sioux Trail needs to have the tutor in place before June 30 or we risk losing the position.

Minnesota Reading Corps (MRC) is recruiting a full-time literacy tutor to provide extra support for Sioux Trail students who are falling behind in reading, and we’re hoping you can help spread the word. The program, a statewide initiative to help every Minnesota child become a successful reader, trains tutors to work with children from Kindergarten to third grade who are at risk for not reading at grade level. Sioux Trail has had great success with this program.

MRC tutors are AmeriCorps members who may be recent college graduates, retirees, or parents like you. By joining MRC, they:

• Commit to 11 months of service beginning in August.
• Receive training in instruction methods that are proven to help children ages 5 – 8 improve their reading.
• Build professional skills helpful for college grads, or mid-career and stay-at-home parents.
• Earn a small stipend and up to $5,350 to pay for school or student loans.

If you know someone who may be a good fit for this rewarding program – or if you’re interested yourself – we’d love to tell you more about it.

For more information about positions available at Sioux Trail please contact:

Taber Akin; Sioux Trail Elementary School

takin@burnsville.k12.mn.us

952.707.3301

There is more information and the application at: MinnesotaReadingCorps.org or 866.859.2825

 

The Minnesota Reading Corps is committed to recruiting and engaging individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, political affiliation or other non-merit factors.

Minnesota Local News - minnlocal.com Video Sioux Trail raises money for 'Pennies for Patients'

Minnesota Local News - minnlocal.com Video Sioux Trail raises money for 'Pennies for Patients'

Before and After

Here are photos of the Sioux Trail staff who had their cut on Thursday afternoon.  The garbage bags kept some of the hair out, but not all of it!  The Sioux Trail students surrounding the staff were randomly drawn from the donations to do some of the hair cutting.    Sioux Trail was very fortunate to have lots of volunteers supervising our amateur barbers and you see a lot of orange because that is the awareness color for Leukemia.

Congratulations to the Sioux Trail community for a job very well done!

Chilly forecast for a bald head!

I checked the forecast and it supposed to be another cool day tomorrow!  I laid out a stocking cap to protect my bald head after the head shaving that I'm scheduled to have tomorrow afternoon at Sioux Trail.  I also found a website with tips for shaving your head!  Shave Your Head We're shaving heads tomorrow at 2:15 in the Sioux Trail gym and all are welcome.  Our very brace Jacie will get the event started and we've invited all of the local media.  I hope local media will help celebrate the dedication of our community to Pennies for Patients.

Time for a Haircut

On Friday, just before the deadline, the Sioux Trail Community raised over $2,000 for Pennies for Patients, a fundraiser for Leukemia and Lymphoma treatment and research. 

Thank you to everyone who was an active part of this Sioux Trail fundraiser.  We had several incentives for students including a presentation from a Sioux Trail Kindergarten student who has battled Leukemia, a medallion hunt and an offer to shave the heads of some Sioux Trail staff members.  The original goal was set at $1500, but the offer was made - if we can exceed the goal by $500 we will shave the heads of five Sioux Trail staff members.  The goal was exceeded on Friday and the haircuts are on Thursday (02.10) afternoon in the Sioux Trail gym.


Pennies for Patients has been a Sioux Trail tradition for many years and this year we raised more money that we have ever raised and had incredible participation.  Congratulations to all members of the Sioux Trail community for supporting this wonderful cause.