OCTOBER Testing and RED RIBBON WEEK!

Dear JES family and friends,
As we begin the second six weeks, October, as always, is a month jam packed with activity! Our character value for this month is HONOR defined as letting someone know you see how valuable they really are.  I hope you continue to use the Core Essentials character trait  to spark discussions that lead to reinforcing what the teachers are sharing about HONOR.

 CogAT and ITBS Testing

On the 8^th, 9th, and 10^th of this month our second and fourth graders will be administered the CogAT. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures students’ learned reasoning abilities in the three areas most linked to academic success in school: Verbal, Quantitative and Nonverbal. On October 22nd-24^th both second and fourth grades will be taking the Iowa Test of Basic Skills or ITBS. Although the primary goal of the CogAT is to assess students’ reasoning abilities, it can also provide predicted achievement scores when administered with the ITBS.
There is no special preparation you need to do at home for these tests. What you can do to help your student is make sure they are rested and present at school on time each testing days. Check your calendar and make sure that you have not scheduled doctor appointments during the testing time for these days. Testing will take place during the morning when the students are at their best. Although make up testing will be available, students do best in their own classroom with their teacher.

RED RIBBON WEEK will be celebrated October 28^th-November 1st. This is a district wide drug awareness celebration. At Johnson our theme will be “Planting a Promise”. Each day of the week, we will have a special message about making good choices.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to talk with your children about the dangers of drug abuse. Our emphasis at school will be about making good decisions. It’s never too late or too soon to share this important message.

 If I can assist you in any way, please contact me at Elizabeth.Johnston@southlakecarroll.edu.

 

Kindest regards,

Ziba Johnston

JES Counselor