Grades 4 and 8 – Mathematics and reading assessments

Edmunds Elementary School will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on January 29th. NAEP is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what students know and can do in various subjects. NAEP is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The results are released as The Nation’s Report Card, which provides information about
student achievement to educators, parents, policymakers, and the public.

• The assessment takes about 120 minutes for most students, including transition time and directions. The information collected is used for statistical purposes only.
• Your child’s grades will not be affected.
• Students may be excused for any reason, are not required to complete the assessment, and may
  skip any question.
• While the assessment is voluntary, NAEP depends on student participation to help policymakers
  improve education. However, if you do not want your child to participate, please notify Principal Mathias in writing by January 22.

For more information, read Principal Dr. Mathias’ letter to parents.

Greetings BSD Community,

“Each year, on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is observed as a ‘day on, not a day off.’ MLK Day of Service is intended to empower individuals, strengthen communities, bridge barriers, create solutions to social problems, and move us closer to Dr. King’s vision of a ‘Beloved Community.’ ” -The Corporation for National and Community Service

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a profound figure in American and world history; BSD believes this day should be reflected as so.

In my time here schools have been closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Initially, I was pleased that this day was recognized in BSD and in the community. However, over the past three years, I have made a conscious effort to ask students how they recognized the day. While some of our students engage in celebrations or service in the community, my experience has been one in which I have mostly been met with answers like: “I stayed home and played video games.” or “Why did we have the day off?”.

Last year when developing the new school calendars, the senior leadership team and I had many conversations about the impact, from an educational standpoint, of MLK Day. I expressed to our team that I feel we are not doing enough in BSD to recognize this day, the individual, or the meaning of service as expressed by Dr. King, and was met with great support.

Together, we decided that for the first time in many years we will have a half-day of school on MLK Day to ensure every student is exposed to content relating to the significance of the person and the day.

Our vision for this day is that students are first brought together to intentionally focus on the importance of Dr. King, racial equality, service, and love; and ideally, students are leading some of these conversations and driving the curriculum where appropriate. (Talk to your local school administrator to learn more.)

After spending this time together, we want to encourage our students and staff to go into the community and implement the day’s teachings. We hope our community will consider serving, learning more, or celebrating with others throughout the community at events like the CEDO-led Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration at ECHO (featuring BSD students again this year).

In addition to this celebration at ECHO, there are numerous volunteer efforts in our community, including those listed in the resources below. I encourage our teachers and staff to share these resources (and any others you know of) with students, friends, and neighbors. And for those who are able to do so, I hope these resources or this conversation allows you to find a way to plug in.

Recognizing the day in this fashion reflects the BSD Vision: “Cultivating caring, creative and courageous people. Join the journey!”

Thank you for listening and for being engaged.

– Superintendent Obeng

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Additional Resources:
United Way (Volunteer opportunities)

Corporation for National and Community Service (Volunteer opportunities)

GBMRC 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Remembrance (Community event)

It is time to prepare for the 2018-19 school year! We need to gather accurate information about each student and family in our schools. It is very important we have this information to ensure the safety of all students, fulfill state requirements, receive State and Federal funding, and communicate important messages to families.

The District requires that all student information be updated for the 2018-19 school year using our online system, PowerSchool. All families must use their PowerSchool account to update information and complete the yearly mandated forms, including: Field Trip, Media Permission, Dismissal, Health forms (and Lunch forms, if applicable). Student information can only be updated online by families; it cannot be updated by your school or the District. Please do this during the next few weeks by following the steps below.

NOTE: If student information is not updated by Tuesday, September 4th (the fourth day of school) that student will not be allowed to attend school until their update is complete. If a student without updated information comes to school on September 4th he/she will be sent home.

Here follow the instructions below to complete the Annual Student Update Form or fill out the Free and Reduced Meals Application.