February 25, 2013

Dear Irving Families:

Beginning Tuesday, March 5^th through Friday, March 8th children in grades 3, 4, and 5 will be taking the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT).  These tests measure student performance as it relates to the Illinois Learning Standards and classroom curriculum.  All public school children across the state are required to participate in the ISAT testing program.  ISAT is used as a means for program assessment for our school and is one of several measures for determining individual student achievement.

District 97 is required by state and federal law to administer the ISAT test to all students in grades three through eight during the designated two-week testing window. This year, the testing window will take place March 5th- 15th, 2013. The law also states that any student in those grades who is absent during the testing window, but returns to school before testing is completed, must be administered a make-up test.  In addition, state law requires that scores received on state assessment tests administered in the elementary grade levels (K-8) must be maintained in a student’s temporary record.

We are asking that Room Parents for students in grades 3-5 coordinate with each other and send a healthy snack for each class during the mornings March 5^th-8th.  Teachers provide time for students to have a break between tests each morning because we believe that snacks help to keep them focused.

Irving’s testing schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, March 5^th: fourth grade science                                   Testing begins at 8:30 a.m.

Wednesday, March 6^th-Friday, March 8^th– grades 3-5               Testing begins at 8:30 a.m.

Monday, March 11^th through Friday, March 15^th             Make-up Testing

Parents, please assist your child in being prepared for testing.  Eating breakfast and being well-rested will help your student to do his or her best.  Discussing the importance of the test while minimizing any anxieties your child may be feeling is helpful as well.  These steps will support our collective efforts for having each child achieve the best possible results.

Sincerely,

John Hodge

Principal

LETTER FROM PRINCIPAL

Dear Irving Parents and Community Members!

The Irving Inquirer, Irving’s first official student newspaper, is in its second round of publication!  We are asking Irving students to help contribute to this issue.  Please share this information and encourage your students to take part!

• We are having a comic contest for this issue.  Students can submit comics to Ms. Noonan or Mrs. Homann between now and March 12th.  The top 5 will be chosen and published in the newspaper.  Please make sure students put their name and grade level on the comic.
• We are having a Viewpoints section.  We would like students to answer this question:  Should students have homework?  WHY or WHY NOT.  We are going to print opinions about both sides of this issue.  Students can submit 200-400 word articles (1-2 paragraphs) to Ms. Noonan or Mrs. Homann.  We will select some to publish in the paper.  Please make sure students write their name and grade on them. Submit by March 12th.
• We are once again having an advice column.  Students can ask questions and submit them to the box in the library.

Thank you for your support!  Let us know if you have any questions.

Mrs. Homann (jhomann@op97.org)
Ms. Noonan (knoonan@op97.org)
—
Katie Noonan

Irving’s 3rd grade Brownie troop is collecting new and gently used books for ages 0-10 to benefit Chicago area organizations. Donations can be placed in the collection box in the front office or given to any Troop 40967 Girl Scout or leader. Visit our table at the Fun Fair next weekend (located near the nurses office) where we will give you 1 game ticket for every book you donate! 1 book = 1 ticket! Questions? Contact irvingscouts@gmail.com