Olympia Weekly
Week of Mar 30th
From Principal George
Next Wednesday is our first STAAR test in reading for 3rd, 4th, and 5th. The campus will be closed for testing during each testing day. Please ensure your student gets a good night's sleep and breakfast. Breakfast is served in the classroom for all students for free if they get to school prior to 7:30am. If you would like to help prepare your student for STAAR I will keep the information for helping to prepare your child for STAAR below. Also, please pay attention to our counselor's corner below. April brings us the opportunity to celebrate the month of the military child.
Preparing for STAAR: A Guide for Families
As we approach testing season, a common question from our 3rd–5th grade families is: "How can I help my student prepare for the STAAR test?" The transition to online testing has changed how students interact with the assessment. To support your child's confidence and performance, we recommend the following steps:
1. Connect with the Teacher
Your student's teacher is the best resource for specific insights. They can identify particular "weaker areas" and provide tailored strategies or resources that align with what is happening in the classroom.
2. Practice with Digital Tools
Since the STAAR is now fully online, it is vital that students are comfortable with the digital interface. We highly recommend having your student take a Practice Online Test at home. This allows them to:
Navigate the digital platform.
Practice using online tools (like the highlighter, notepad, and calculator).
Experience the types of "new item" questions (drag-and-drop, multi-select, etc.) they will encounter.
How to Access Practice Tests from Home
To get started, visit the Texas Assessment Practice Site and follow these steps:
Preparation: Set aside at least 90 minutes for Math or 120 minutes for Reading. Provide your student with scratch paper and a pencil—even though the test is online, working out math problems or jotting down reading notes on paper is highly encouraged.
Login: Click "Sign In" (you do not need a unique code for practice sets).
Select Criteria: * Choose your student’s Grade Level.
Select STAAR Practice Sets (avoid "TELPAS" unless your child is an emergent bilingual student).
Select the 2023 or 2024 STAAR Practice Test (Reading or Math). Note: The 2022 versions are also excellent, but newer versions reflect the most current question types.
Accommodations: If you are unsure if your student receives specific accommodations (like Text-to-Speech), please leave these toggled OFF to see the standard version of the test.
Review Results: Once the student submits the test, it will be scored automatically.
Click on the question numbers to see where they may have struggled.
Pro-Tip: Use a "snipping tool" or take a photo of challenging questions to share with their teacher for extra clarification.
By practicing at home, you help turn the "unknown" of testing day into a familiar task.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Shannon George
Principal, Fine Arts Academy at Olympia
Learning is My Superpower
Reward Expectations
3/20 End of the 3rd Nine Weeks
3/26 Math Night
4/3 Student Holiday
4/6 Student Holiday
4/8 STAAR Reading 3rd-5th grade (Closed Campus)
4/10 Spring Fling
4/14 STAAR Science 5th grade(Closed Campus)
4/15 Purple Up day-Support your military families
4/21 STAAR Math 3rd-5th grade(Closed Campus)
4/22 Earth day/Spring picnic
4/24 Student/Staff Holiday
4/27 Unicorn Day
Yearbooks now available
Order your Yearbook
Yearbooks are available for $30. Scan the QR code or click the link to order yours today!
https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=72382
Please consider joining and supporting the Olympia PTO, they are important part of our success!
Contacting PTO:
Red Apple Club
Please join the red apple club and PTO as we assist our teachers and staff by making copies, cutting out items, and assisting in other tasks while our teachers spend more time working with their students. The next date is Thursday, March 19th 7:30am- 9:30am. Scan the QR code or click the link to sign up!
www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845AFAC23A4F5C34-58044772-redapple#/
Follow PTO on their Facebook page
Art Clubs progress
Ms. Granados shared that art clubs are building and creating new sculptures. Advanced art club is focusing on textures with clay and jewelry pieces. Clay club is exploring celluclay and sculpting their own trees.
Math Night
Thanks for joining us for Math night. Students had the opportunity to enjoy different math games and activities. Special thanks for the staff who set up and supported the event for our community.
If you would like to see comment head over to our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/olympiaelementary/
Outstanding Olympians
Counselor Corner
Hi Families!
Is your student a military - connected student? Would you like us to showcase them during Month of the Military Child? Please follow the link to the Google form so we can celebrate our military - connected students.
Learning in Classroom Circles
Apr 20th-May 1st Exercising Brain and Body
If you would like to reinforce the lessons on Exercising Brain and Body we recommend 4 popular kids books that could lead to great discussions. These could also probably be found on utube as well Blackout by Rocco, Good for Me and You by Mercer and Mayer, Todd's TV by Proimos, and Your Fantastic Elastic Brain by Deak, phd. Some Sample Qs: How should we balance tv/games with exercising our brain and body?
The Goal: Students understand Our bodies and our brains need to be exercised. If our bodies don't get enough exercise we don't stay healthy. To get our brains stronger we have to get it to think which helps it grow stronger. Reading is one of the best ways to exercise the brain.
Summary: To get faster, stronger, and smarter everyday (from our student pledge) I must exercise my brain and my body
May 4th-May 15th Telling the Truth
If you would like to reinforce the lessons on Telling the Truth we recommend 4 popular kids books that could lead to great discussions. These could also probably be found on utube as well The berenstain bears and the bad habit by The Berenstain bears and the Trush by Berenstain, The dog who cried "Woof" by Barkly, Sam tells stories by Robberecht, and Sarah's little ghosts by Robberecht. Some Sample Qs: Does everyone in this story tell the truth? What happened because he/she didn't tell the truth? We tell the truth because it is the right thing to do
The Goal: When you tell the truth people trust you. When an adult gives you a direction, he or she needs to know you can be trusted to do the right thing.
Summary: Always tell the Truth
Have a question, concern, or suggestion? Please submit it below, if you have the question others might also we frequently will put answers up for everyone to clear up any concerns or confusion.
