Bacich Bears News
Dear Families,
There are multiple ways that teachers assess students' academic progress for the purpose of informing instruction and improving student outcomes. Formative assessment, which includes things like quizzes, exit tickets, and thumbs-up/thumbs-down can give teachers feedback from students on where they are in their learning. Teachers make adjustments to their teaching in real-time so that no students are left behind.
MAP Growth
One data source we use to monitor student progress is the Northwest Evaluation Association’s Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth tests. During the 2020-21 school year, Kentfield School District began administering the MAP Growth tests to students in 2nd through 8th grades. The purpose of MAP Growth is to determine what students are currently able to do and what students are ready to learn next. This fall, we administered the MAP Growth test in reading and mathematics to 2nd, 3rd, and 4th graders. Students in 3rd and 4th will again take the MAP Growth test over the next two weeks.
Evaluating Student MAP Growth Data
Our educational team, including teachers, education specialists, and administrators use the data from the MAP Growth to help us identify students who may need additional academic support either in the general education classroom or in a small group intervention class. We are also able to use the data to notice trends in particular areas. One value of this assessment is that we can see the level of growth from one test session to the next for each student.
Grade Level Collaboration (GLT)
Every Wednesday afternoon, grade-level teams meet to discuss students, plan curriculum, and review data to inform their teaching. Assessment data is a central component of this grade level collaboration. Teachers use the data to reflect on teaching strategies, curriculum, and instructional practices. The data is also used to determine the needs of individual students.
If you have any questions about the administration of the MAP Growth Assessment, please feel free to contact me at mmartin@kentfieldschools.org.
I hope you enjoy a wonderful week full of sunshine!
Warmly,
Maria Martin
Bacich Principal
mmartin@kentfieldschools.org
Counselor Connection
Dear Bacich Community,
In last week’s newsletter, Principal Maria Martin wrote about Bacich and Kentfield’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity. One avenue for this is our developmentally appropriate instruction around gender themes, social identities, and family diversity that is provided at each grade level. Without our inclusive environment and this essential education, some of our students may experience isolation, stress, and discrimination. We want all of our students to feel supported, represented, and safe at school everyday.
After lessons are provided in the classrooms, I will do follow-up lessons to answer any questions the kids may have and to facilitate discussion.
If you are interested in more information, please feel free to contact me or our administration.
Sincerely,
Ms A/Andrea Cashman
Bacich School Counselor
TK / Kindergarten Registration Opens January 30, 2023
Universal Transition Kindergarten Information Session Slides - Spanish and English
- Incoming Kindergarten students will need to turn 5 years of age by September 1, 2023.
- Incoming Universal Transitional Kindergarten students will need to turn 5 years of age between September 2, 2023 and April 2, 2024
Bacich Library
The new Bacich Library Book Buzz January blog features book recommendations about Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights Movement and the Lunar New Year.
Learn about how each grade will be utilizing the library in lessons aligned to their classroom curriculum during January. The library continues to celebrate equity and inclusion in the Kentfield School District as per the School Board Resolution and guidance from our Social Justice Committee. "Everyone is Welcome" in our library and the January blog shares the books we will be reading to recognize diversity this month.
January Library Displays: Stop by the library to see the wonderful birch trees, snowflakes, snow people, and winter scenes created by our talented third grade artists in their classrooms for our winter bulletin boards. Also, enjoy the Lunar New Year and Dr. Martin Luther King displays. Learn about and see previous winners of the Newbery and Caldecott Awards.
bacichlibrarybookbuzz.blogspot.com
Note to Parents: If while reading to your child, you discover torn or dirty pages, broken spines of books, etc. please ask your child to bring it to our attention when he or she returns it so we can have our book repair volunteer, Claire Tsuruga fix it. Thank you, Claire!
Learn more about the library and search for books: sites.google.com/kentfieldschools.org/bacich-library
Susan Warnick
Bacich Librarian
swarnick@kentfieldschools.org
Upcoming Bacich Events
2022-2023 Bacich Bell Schedule
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
- Bacich Parents in Action, 8:30-10:30 a,m., Bacich room 7