Trimester 2 Newsletter
Trimester 2 – March 2024
Dr. Jeff Stawick, Superintendent
The last trimester of the school year has begun! We are so proud of our students and all they accomplished during Trimester 2. It was filled with concerts, spirit weeks, family nights, spelling bees, and the District Math Challenge. In addition to regular classes, students sat for standardized tests and continued their social emotional learning.
In this edition of our trimester newsletter, you will hear from our directors of Curriculum and Student Services. Dr. Wolgan explains how standardized test results are used at the classroom, school, and district levels. Mrs. Voliva offers a sample of the social emotional curriculum that teaches and reinforces positive behaviors at school.
Both of these topics were chosen by you, our families, from the survey in last trimester’s newsletter. This newsletter is tailored to the information our families want. Please be sure to take a moment to complete this trimester’s survey so we know the information you are looking for.
I hope everyone has a fantastic third trimester! I know our students will continue to make us proud.
Standardized Testing and Results
By Dr. Wendy Wolgan, Director of Curriculum
Standardized testing is used to assess students' academic performance and measure their understanding of curriculum standards. These tests typically follow a uniform format and scoring system, resulting in consistent evaluation across various classrooms and schools.
Families are most familiar with the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) and Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) standardized tests. IAR is administered annually, while MAP is administered three times a year in most grades.
Teachers use standardized test results to help identify strengths and weaknesses in their students' learning. The data help teachers guide instructional decisions and curriculum adjustments. Standardized testing is also utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching methods and school and district programming.
Standardized testing is just one of many factors used to measure the progress and development of well-rounded students in District 146. As educators, we acknowledge that no test provides a complete picture of student performance.
Classroom performance, teacher observation, and other evidence help provide additional information about student learning. Specific questions about your child's test results can be directed to your student’s teacher or the school principal.
Social Emotional Curriculu
By: Kelly Voliva, Director of Student Services
Students are shown to be more successful in school when they form positive relationships with those around them, and when they feeling safe at school. Our SEL curriculum provides the foundation for that success.
District 146 uses the Second Step curriculum for social emotional learning from preschool through 8th grade. Second Step helps students develop executive functioning skills, healthy peer and adult relationships, goal-setting skills, and empathy. Included in the SEL curriculum is a Bullying Prevention unit that includes specific strategies for reporting incidents of bullying. More information about Second Step can be found on their website.
District 146 schools also utilize the Safe and Civil Schools program, including the CHAMPS curriculum. Save and Civil Schools provides a researched-based, positive behavioral framework designed to create productive, safe, and respectful learning environments.
CHAMPS is implemented in all District 146 schools. When you visit our buildings, you will see signs and posters referring to the CHAMPS program in classrooms, hallways, and other common areas. For more information on Save and Civil Schools, please visit their website.
Facility Improvements
The parking lots at Fulton are looking a little brighter lately. All 19 parking lot light fixtures at Fulton were replaced in February with LED fixtures. The District is receiving energy incentive rebates from ComEd and will see future savings from a reduction in the electricity used to power the new LED fixtures.
New stage curtains were recently installed in Central’s cafetorium. The new curtains replaced the 23-year old maroon curtains which began to tear. The new front curtains, chosen by CMS staff, are blue and compliment Central’s school colors. The new curtains, which are inherently fire resistant, will no longer require regular fire-retardant chemical treatment.
