SIR Visit

Our school-wide instructional review is Friday, December 5 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Details To Come.



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FCAT cuts

In addition to eliminating the summer FCAT retake exams, the state is cutting other test-related expenses to save money:

• Eliminating the NRT used to compare Florida students to other states will save $11.5 million.

• By getting rid of the FCAT parent network, which allowed parents to look up their children's scores online, the state will save about $1.3 million.

• Doing away with the seals on the answer booklets for the eighth- and 11th-grade math and science tests, the state will save an additional $79,000. Schools will have to police the booklets closely to make sure the absence of seals doesn't lead to cheating.

• Cutting out paper reports for teachers will save $54,000.

• Kids who do well on the FCAT will no longer get certificates of achievement, saving an estimated $13,000.

Free Math and Science Technology Symposium

Join your K-12 mathematics and science colleagues and earn 8 MPP for a day of innovative professional learning. The 2008 K-12 Mathematics and Science Technology Symposium will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Ronald Reagan Senior High School located at 8600 NW 107th Ave Miami, FL 33178.

Registration for grade K, 1, and 2 teachers is as follows:
Infusing Technology K-2
Elton Earl Hilton
November 15, 2008

Registration for grades 3, 4, and 5 teachers is as follows:
Mathematics and Science Technology Symposium 3-5
Maria Teresa Diaz-Gonzalez
November 15, 2008

See Ms. Cisely Scott's e-mail for additional information.

Math PD Opportunity

Many of you desired to participate in professional development on our last PD day but were unable to register for a session. Therefore, I am now informing you of upcoming professional development so that you can register early. Ms. Alexandra Martillo, our regional math curriculum support specialist, will be conducting two math sessions on our upcoming teacher planning days. The registration information is as follows:‬‪ ‬‪

Title: Learning Targets/Benchmarks Math Grades 3-5‬‪
When: January 16, 2009 (teacher planning day) and February 6, 2009 (PD Day)‬‪
Location: Rainbow Park Elementary School‬‪
Instructor: Alexandra Martillo‬‪ ‬‪

Please register as soon as possible to secure your spot in one of these sessions. If you have any questions or concerns, please see me, Ms. Cisely Scott.

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Science Fair

It is time for our Science Fair. Please click here to read Ms. Cisely Scott's memo and see her if you have any questions.

S. Fla. schools saved from closure

Source: WSVN (Miami, FL.)

S. Fla. schools saved from closure

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WSVN) -- A pair of South Florida high schools facing closure have been granted a second chance to improve their failing scores.

A Miami-Dade School Board member announced that Miami Carol City High and Miami Norland Senior High will not close because of their "F" status.

Instead, new programs will be implemented to motivate students to improve their performance.

Both schools have two years to improve their score to a "C" before they are re-evaluated.

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Dr. Holloway Town Hall Meeting

Our school board member, Dr. Tee Holloway will hold a Town Hall Meeting tonight at 6:00 P.M. at the Miami Norland Senior High auditorium. The school is located at 1050 NW 195 Street. This will give you an opportunity to meet Dr. Holloway in person and participate in a discussion of the various educational issues in our community.

Proposed 2009-2010 MDCPS Calendars

UTD, through its committee, developed a proposed calendar for the 2009-2010 school year. Please click the title bar above to see the calendars and click here for other information.

School Board Agenda

Please click here for the November 18 School Board Agenda.

Math Homework Packets

Grades 3-5 Teachers,
Please collect the math homework packets and submit them to the office with your attendance folders. Mrs. Lewis will be checking these items on Wednesday.

Thank you.

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Collier County: 50 is the new 0.

NAPLES -- (AP) -- Fifty is the new zero for Collier County elementary school students.

The school district has replaced 0 with 50 as the lowest score a student can get on an assignment. Officials say zeros are punitive and rarely reflect a student's overall abilities.

Students will not be allowed to ignore assignments and just accept an automatic 50. They will be required to make up any work they skipped.

The union that represents most of the district's teachers says it undermines teachers' credibility in the classroom, and that students need to know there are consequences for not doing the work.

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Four Day Week Survey

All employees received an e-mail providing them with the opportunity to complete a survey which sought your feedback regarding the possibility of having a four day work week for our staff and students during the 2009-2010 school year. If you did not complete the survey, please click the title bar above.

Student Work Display

Teachers,

Mrs. Lewis and I saw some productive learning experiences in several classrooms this week. As a friendly reminder, please make sure that student work for November is clearly displayed within a designated area of the classroom. If you more clarity is needed, please contact one of our CSS members.

Thank you.

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Going Mobile!!!

Due to the advent of technology, you can now view our blog on your handheld devices. Whether you have a Blackberry, Iphone, Treo or simply a regular cell phone with mobile web access, you can access and bookmark the site at http://parkwayelem.wirenode.mobi

Of course the more functional main blog site is still http://parkwayelem.blogspot.com

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DIBELS Assessment

We will be testing all of our students on the DIBELS from Thursday, November 13 to Wednesday, November 26. Details to come.