Dear Parents and Guardians,

April is upon us, and that means state testing is right around the corner. Every year, Washington State requires testing of all students in grades 3-10. The tests are high-performance assessments that require students to read with comprehension, solve multi-step problems, write coherently, and know their learning standards.

This year we will be increasing the number of tests we take on-line. Previously 5^th graders took the science test on line and the rest of the testing was paper and pencil. This year, the testing is as follows:

·   3^rd grade: math online, reading paper-pencil

·   4^th grade: math and reading on-line, writing paper-pencil

·   5^th grade: math and science on-line, reading paper-pencil

As always, any support you can give will be greatly appreciated: full nights of sleep, breakfasts that include protein and healthy carbohydrates for endurance (the tests generally take 90-120 minutes), help with confidence and calming nerves, and reminders to take time and think carefully will all really help us out. These tests matter to every child and every school, and it is important that the state see that Eagle Creek kids are performing at high levels.

Also, we have a shortened testing window this year because Eagle Creek was chosen as a range-finding school: our kids’ tests will be among the first the state examines and will use them as examples for “high” and “low” answers. It’s an honor to be chosen! Given the shorter time frame and the on-line testing that is happening, we will have fewer days to make up tests for kids who are absent or late. Please help us by scheduling appointments after the school day, and by refraining from coming in late or leaving early. It will really help us if the kids can take their tests on the scheduled days!  The testing window is from April 26-May 16.

We are so excited for Eagle Creek kids to show what they know to those outside of our school. This is a wonderful opportunity to show those at the state level the good learning that happens every day at our school.

Happy spring!

Kari Henderson-Burke

Principal, Eagle Creek Elementary

Announcing Coffee with the Principal!

In room A-5, from 9:15-9:45, come and share thoughts, concerns, ideas, and coffee with Kari! This is an informal time, and I look forward to getting to know you better! Come in and stay for the whole time or just pop in to get a cup of coffee.

 Each session will be held on the second Thursday of the month from 9:15 to 9:50.

Pick up time

We are always working to keep pick up time smooth and efficient. If you are a parent that parks and picks up your child, please make sure to park along the fence and not in the Stillaguamish Valley parking lot, or along the curb at the cross walk. It creates a bottle neck and disrupts our exit flow. Thank you so much for keeping the traffic moving!

What happens on early release days?

As you know, once per month we have a day when kids are released at 12:40, and staff remain at work. These times are so important for our school! We work on a variety of projects on these days, all of which are designed to increase student achievement. Our work includes:

o Looking at student progress data and planning next steps in teaching

o Learning about new state requirements (a  new Instructional Framework for teaching, new evaluation systems, new learning standards called Common Core State Standards)

o Working as teacher teams to plan units of study and deepen knowledge of curriculum (our Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum), and to plan intervention and enrichment activities for kids

 We are so grateful to our community for embracing this change in our calendar. Please know that we ensure this time is meaningful for your kids! After all, our school purpose is, “Our mission… your child’s success.” We mean it, and this time helps us fulfill our purpose.

New IXL Website

Our on-line math practice program has a new web address. Go to www.ixl.com/signin/aps  for at-home practice opportunities with your kids and have some fun!