Thursday, April 18, 2013 N/Warren Town and County News Page Eleven
! BLAI Wy jiOIOnDe Ln' pMc ipNTARY I
Distinguishing Between Assessments
A parent asked a great question about assessments. They wanted to know the
difference between the teachers using summative vs. formative data during their
instru . on. This is the best way for me to explain it. The summative assessmentdata
is often called "autopsy data" by researchers, because it is taken after the fact and
doesn't' serve the students at the time when they really need the help. Examples of
summative data are the Iowa Assessment or the unit benchmark tests. The formative
assessment is given during the learning. I would define the formative assessment as
something that we have control over at the school level and we can make instruc-
tional changes based orL the data. Below is a general overview of each type of assess-
ment:
Type of Assessment
When givenZ
Examples
Roles
Impo~ance
Teacher use
Formative
During Learning
Demonstrations, clicker tests,
discussion, quick responses or
assignments
Teacher and learning as active
participants
Determines next step for teacher
for their instruction
Change for instruction, grouping
pacing and collaboration
Summative
After Learning
Multiple choice tests or end of
unit tests
Teacher is evaluator
Determine proficiencies or
grades
Use to create prof' iencies or
non proflcienc!es
Teacher Appreciation Week: The week of May 5
,Teaching is a hard job. It's stressful but the professionals embrace it with a pas-
sion for reacting and learning and children. Each teacher makes decisions based on
our student's needs and abilities. The goal of each professional is to work creatively
and to be innovative with their craft.
Many times people think that teaching is a nine month job. What many don't un-
derstand is that teachers spend countless hours off the clock in professional develop-
ment, planning, preparing, reading and learning and growing as a professional. If
you look at the parking lot any time of the da) you will see someone working extra
to better prepare your children to become better learners.
Teachers are professionals and take a tremendous amount of pride in what they
do on a daily basis. They really do care about every child who walks in that door. I
challenge everyone that when they walk in, they need to be better than the day be-
fore!
This week, I ask that you say or do something positive to show the teachers how
much they are appreciated. Our childrendesei-ve the best. Thank you for entrusting
your children into our care. We promise to do our best each day!
Upcoming Events
May 6 DIBELS Testing
May 7 Band Concert- 7 p.m.-Auditorium
May 9 5th Graders Visit Middle School "
After-School should not be an Afterthought
After-school programs and activities can be wonderfully enriching, providing
children with opportunities to stretch their minds, exercise their bodies, learn team-
work and build social skills. Today's range of available activities is greater than
ever--from computer classes to cheerleading clinics, music lessons to Scout troops,
art and dance to football and soccer. Here are some important things to consider
when enrolling your children in after-school programs:
Whose idea is it? Try to make sure that your child has at least some interest in the
club, sport, or lesson you are signing him or her up for.
What if you want them to attend and they don't want to? Incentives can work
wonders. Together, set two goals. The first is yours: spell out the activity you want
them to participate in, the amount of time you want the,-n to devote and the attitude
you want them to have about it. The second is theirs: following your rules and
achieving the goals you set for them, decide on the speda! privilege or reward they
can earn. ';
How intense is it? Some after-school gymnastics prograzns are a great excuse for
children to burn off energy andlearn a few new skills. Others are totally focused on
training the next Olympian. Find the program that really fits what you and your
child are looking for.
Can it help your child academically, athletically, or socially? All children have
areas of strength and areas where they need some enrichment or encouragement,
After-school programs can help with both! Choose one activity that lets your child
expand on his or her strengths and try to find another one that offers a challenge. For
example, enroll an athletic child in a basketball league and in the library-reading
club, or sign up a shy youngster in Scouts as well as an art or music class.
What kind of commitment are they looking for? Your 10-year-old may have just
what the coach or instructor has always dreamed of--amazing flexibility, artistic
talent, a perfect butterfly, or a 90-mph serve, But be wary of programs that expect
your child to commit to four days a week or more. Children still need rime to do
their schoolwork, sleep 10 hours a night and to "chill."
Have you heard good feedback from other parents and children? The best after-
school programs get great reviews from children and their parents. If just the par-
ents are raving about a program, your children may be sorry you signed them up. If
just the children are crazy about it, it may be too lax or too expensive to meet your
needs.
Are you over-scheduling? Unstructured playtime is very important for children.
It is a great time for them to use their imaginations, "veg out," or just have fun. Be
sure that you do not take their childhood away from them by filling every after-
school hour with "enriching" activities. While there are many things to consider
when contemplating after-school programs, remember also that anything you do is
better than the all too-common alternative--letring your children decide, every day,
what they want to do after school. Too many children today fritter away their child-
hoods watching television or playing computer/video games. Whatever after-scho01
program you choose, help your children see that life is not a spectator sport.
Norwalk Easter Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes
Following are the State Capital. She stated it and discuss later when
Norwalk Easter Public Li- was a successful day with more information is avail-
brary Board of Trustees a chance to talk to many able.
Minutes for the regular legislators. Director C. Cashdrawer/slider-
meeting of March 11, 2013. Sealine also reported that discussed purchase so
Roll Call she has been working with funds could be monitored
The meeting was called Annette Clark (Youth Ser- and tracked.
to order at 6:50 p.m. Laura vices Librarian) and Mary D. Laptop computer -
Greiner, Jordyn Hill, Tom Kay Johnson (Adult Ser-discussed need for new
Dunn, Diana Duffy and vices Coordinator) on the laptop for programs. Di-
Donna Kitterman were strategic plan and will con- rector Sealine willresearch
present. Library Director tinue to work on it options and bring a pro-
Holly Sealine was present, throughout March. Finall posal to the next meeting.
Public Comments/Guests Director Sealine brought E. Camera - discussed
There were no guests, up some larger purchases need for camera for pro-
Review/Change of Agen- that would help with pro- gram use. Director Sealine
da-policies will not be re- gramming, such as a newwill research getting a card
viewed tonight, laptop computer, LCD reader
Review Last Meetings projector and a digitalMeeting ActivityRecord
Minutes camera. She also men- Motion 1: Agenda Ap-
Director's Report tioned the need for twoproval with change to de-
The month of February additionalbook bins in the lete policy review: Motion
2013 saw 4,062 visitors to children'sarea for the easy by Laura Greiner, sec-
the library. We had a typi- reader books However, onded Donna Kitterman.
cal month of circulation Director SeaIine would Motion passed
with 5,902 items; however like to gather more infor- Motion 2: Approval of
the items checked-out via marion before asking the February Minutes: Motion
our digitallibrary (Wilbor) Board of Trustees to make by Laura Greiner, second-
increased this month by a decision, ed by-Donna Kitterman.
16% with a total of 225 Unfinished Business Motion passed.
checkouts. We are excited A. Treasurer's Report -Motion 3: Approval of
to announce that later in Director Sealine is moni- bills to be paid: Motion by
March the Wilbor interface toting the budget It is on Laura Greiner, seconded
willbe updated to makeit track, by Jordyn Hill. Motion
easier to use. The library B. Strategic Plan - passed.
saw 25 new accounts tabled for now. Director Motion 4: Approval of
added, seven programs for Sealine is working on this. Budget: Motion by Donna
adults and 16 children's New Business Kitterman, seconded by
programs. A. Budget was ap- Laura Greiner. Motion
Director Sealine re- proved passed.
ported back on Legislator B. Out of State ILL Adjournment
Day, held March 6 at the Policy - wilt monitor use Chairperson Tom Dunn
requested a morion for ad-
journment. Motion by
Jordyn Hill seconded by
Laura Greiner. Motion
passed. Adjourned at 7:43
p.m.
Respectfully submitted by:
Diana Duffy, Secretary
(NAPS)--Psoriasis patients
may get relief from their '
symptoms by exposing their
affected skin to natural sun-
light and wearing light cot-
ton clothing. They should also
discuss treatment options
with a dermatologist. For
more information and to find
a nearby dermatologist, visit
www.psoriasisconnect.com.
After Prom April 27
After Prom is a drug and alcohol free event held when
prom is over. This year it will be held at the high school
Saturday, April 27, from midnight until approximately
6 a.m. April 28.
Once the students are signed in, if they want to leave
the parents are called. It takes approximately $9,000 to
put on this fun, safe and very worthwhile event for "our
kids." The evening's entertainment will consist of laser
tag, inflatables, a photo booth, DJ, various other games,
food, prizes and a hypnotist. Following this will be a
pancake breakfast at the fire station.
The cost is $30 per student to be paid in advance.
Checks should be made out to After Prom and mailed
to Box 177, Norwalk, IA 50211 or dropped off at the
High School office.
The committee consists of parents and community
members. If anyone is interested in helping, contact
Theresa Webb at Webb2t@aol.com or 515-490-0211, or
Kathy Fazio at kfazio7569@msn com or 515-556-0201.
There are various ways you can help out. You can do-
nate some sort of snack or soda for the evening; they
can be dropped off during decorating Saturday morn-
ing,
The committee could use help decorating Saturday,
April 27, from 9 a.m. until noon. If you want to help at
After Prom, be at the high school at 11:30 p.m. Satur-
day. The evening goes very fast and it is fun watching
and listening to our "kids being kids.'
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