SES Sunday Scoop
This week (Sept. 28-Oct. 2), our school will focus on the character strength of Open-Mindedness. This means being willing to consider new ideas and try new things. It involves looking at situations from all sides and not jumping to conclusions. Open-mindedness is about seeking out and fairly weighing evidence, even if it goes against our own opinions or goals. Open-minded people listen to different viewpoints, including those that are less popular. They are often good listeners and provide balanced advice, which makes them great friends and confidants. This strength helps individuals form meaningful and lasting relationships.
Next week (Oct. 6-10), our school community will focus on the Other People Mindset of Being present and giving others my attention. This means when we are with other people, we are present and give them our full attention. In today's world, it's easy to get distracted by phone calls, messages, and social media. These distractions can pull us away from what's most important — our relationships with other people. Just as plants need sunlight to grow, our relationships need attention. If we don’t give our full attention when we are with our family, friends, and even colleagues, we can't build strong relationships. It’s crucial to put down our phones and tablets and really listen when others are talking. Positive relationships are the foundation of a positive culture, and we can’t build positive relationships without attention.
Picture Day is Monday, October 5! Upstate Images will be at Sargent to take individual student and class photos during the school day. Please be sure your student arrives on time and ready to smile! Information about ordering photo packages will be shared with families.
Understanding Future Graduation Requirements
Beginning with students graduating in 2028, New York State will move from its current three-diploma structure – Local, Regents, and Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation – to one New York State high school diploma. Advanced Designation will become a seal or endorsement recognizing additional academic achievement. Students graduating in the 2027-28 school year and thereafter will no longer be required to pass Regents examinations to earn a diploma. Regents examinations will remain, but their role will narrow: if used, they will serve as measures of the degree to which students have demonstrated skills tied to state learning standards.
Why is this important?
The State Education Department (SED) is moving toward a system in which multiple assessments will be used and have more clearly defined purposes. Historically, Regents examinations have served several purposes simultaneously: measuring achievement of state learning standards, contributing to statewide accountability, and serving as evidence of readiness through their connection to diploma requirements. Regents exams will remain as one way to measure learning against state standards. Schools could also use classroom assessments, student work, projects, and other evidence to show what students have learned. The state has not yet finalized what those local assessments would need to include.
What does this mean for our Sargent Elementary students?
For elementary students, nothing changes right now. NYS Assessments (Grades 3-8) are still required and will be used as important student progress measures. We are always looking at ways to best prepare our students for their secondary education and beyond. This year, we are looking at ways to strengthen our teaching units with activities and assessments aligned to New York State’s Portrait of a Graduate. This means giving students more opportunities to apply what they learn, work with others, solve problems, and show their understanding in different ways. We will share updates with families as the state provides more guidance and our work develops! Click on the link below to learn more about NYS Inspires: Portrait of a Graduate.
