New York State Testing Program

 

We are approaching the New York State English Language Arts Assessment on April 11 and April 12 and the New York State Math Assessment on May 2 and May 3 for all students in grades 3, 4, and 5. All students will take the ELA assessment on the computer unless they have an IEP that requires different accommodations. The math assessment will be completed with a traditional test booklet and pencil.  Students in grade 4 will also take the NYS Science Assessment on May 23 (performance) and June 4 (written).

For this year, the testing sessions have been reduced to two days for ELA and then two days for math. In the past, the assessments were administered over a three day testing period for each subject.  

For the third year in a row, these tests are not timed, and students are given the time they need to prove what they know. Furthermore, each of the test questions was written and reviewed by a committee of New York State teachers.

Since our district is now two years into our new reading program, we are interested in seeing the growth that our students have made over previous years. In math, our teachers and students have been working hard with our math program over the last several years, and we are confident that our students will demonstrate growth. 

The NYS Assessments are an opportunity for our students to rise to a challenge and to show how much they have grown as learners. We encourage them to participate and do their best, and we celebrate their efforts.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding the New York State Assessments.  Thank you for your continued support.

March...Roared in Like a Lion!

Positivity Project

At our last assembly we celebrated students who demonstrate the character strengths of love and fairness:

This week we are learning about zest/enthusiasm.  According to the Positivity Project, zest/enthusiasm is the ability to bring life and excitement to different situations.  I find this to be a natural trait for children, which is why I chose a career in elementary school!  Kids tend to be enthusiastic about a wide range of activities, and that can be refreshing.  We'll be on the lookout this week for displays of zest, and we'll see how it carries across each day's activities!

Safety First

A big thank you is extended to you, parents and guardians, for helping to follow our revised safety protocols here at school.  Thank you for adhering to our dismissal procedures, our sign out procedures, and for sending notes if your child's dismissal procedure needs to change on any given day.  As we continue to revise and upgrade our safety practices, please be aware that you will be asked for identification when you visit school or come to pick up a child.  Please don't hesitate to call if you have questions or suggestions for added safety measures.

Half-Day Dismissal
Due to a half-day professional development day for staff, Wednesday, March 14 is a half-day for students.  Dismissal is at 11:20 for walkers or students being picked up, and buses leave school at 11:30.  Please be sure to send a note if your child is being picked up on Wednesday.

The Annual Science Fair
Our Science Fair is near!  On Thursday, March 15, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in our school gym, students from grades 3, 4, 5 will show their knowledge of science and the scientific process with amazing demonstrations.  Participants may arrive at 5:45 to set up their displays.  All other visitors can come any time between 6:00 and 8:00 to check it all out!

Other Dates to Remember

NOTE:  Grade 3 Chorus Concert has been rescheduled to April 18, 7:00 p.m. at the OR gym.  There is no concert on March 20th as was originally scheduled.

• Wed, 3/14 - Half-day dismissal, 11:30
• Thurs, 3/15 - Science Fair, 6:00-8:00
• Fri, 3/16 - Irish Dancers Visit Onondaga Road
• Wed, 3/21 - Board of Education Meeting, 7:00 at WGHS
• Fri, 3/23 - Report Cards are Distributed
• Fri, 3/30 - No School (Good Friday)

Onondaga Road Update

February 27, 2018

Welcome back after a week of winter recess!  I hope you all made time to have some fun and to relax a bit!

Positivity Project

For the next two weeks, we will be studying the character strength of “Social Intelligence.”  This can be defined as “being aware of other people’s thoughts and feelings and having an understanding of why they do things.”  As we teach different strengths, I try to send home the character card with the definition each week, so I hope you find this to be a helpful resource at home.  Hopefully you are able to engage in a conversation with your child about what he/she is learning.

School Safety and Communications with the Superintendent

As you know, Dr. Brown has been communicating about school security and safety. You can feel free to call him with questions at 1-315-487-4562, email cbrown@westgenesee.org or ask him in person at a special board meeting scheduled for this Wednesday, February 28th, in the High School Library at 7:00 PM.

Also, please remember that if you are changing your child’s dismissal routine on any given day, you need to send a note to school with your child.  Our school door will open at 3:10 for anyone picking up children, and you can report directly to the cafeteria at that time to sign your child out.

 

During the day, each visitor must push the call button at the main entrance. You will be asked to state the nature of your visit to school prior to gaining entry.

If you have any questions directly related to Onondaga Road, please feel free to call me any time.

Have a great week –

Jeannette Clark

Onondaga Road February update

Hearts from OR…
Thanks to all who helped share the love for Valentine’s Day yesterday!  Our kids were so cute all dressed in their reds, pinks and purples, and they were so excited to share Valentines and heart-felt messages with one another and with their teachers.  

In case you haven’t heard yet, Onondaga Road School is having our first ever experience this year with Girls on the Run!  Girls on the Run is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization whose mission is:  

“We inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.”

We are offering this opportunity to our 4^th and 5^th grade girls beginning this spring.  Please take a moment to peruse the Girls on the Run website for specific information at:

https://www.girlsontherun.org/

If you like what you learn from the website, you might even like to consider making a scholarly donation to our fundraising to support our girls!  You can do this by visiting https://www.gotrupstateny.org/fundraiser/OnondagaRdLovesGOTR . Thank you for your support!

Noteworthy safety reminders…

As news unfolds across our nation about schools and school safety, it is a sensitive time to remind us that we need to look out for the safety of our children.  It truly does take all of us to keep one another safe.
Please:
 - Note that the main doors will remain locked until 3:10 p.m. for dismissal.  We will not have people congregating in the main hallways or the cafeteria at the end of the day.  If you are picking your child up, the doors will open at 3:10 for you to come in and sign him/her out from the cafeteria.  Students will be dismissed to you at 3:15.
- If you are changing your child’s dismissal procedure, you must send a note or call the school prior to day’s end.
- You must use only the main door to enter and exit the building.  Please do not walk down the hallways during dismissal.

Thank you for your continued support and understanding from home.

Important date change notice…
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the grade 3 chorus concert which was scheduled for March 20^th must be changed.  The new date for our grade 3 chorus concert is Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 p.m. right here in the Onondaga Road School gym.

Dates to remember…

• Today, February 15 – 4:30-6:30 – Open library night for grades 3-5 students who wish to participate in the Science Fair.  Come to pick up your project board and generate ideas for your project!
• Today, February 15 – 6:30 – PTA meeting in the library
• Today, February 15 – 7:15 – Meeting for grade 5 parents who would like to assist with end-of-year activities, in the library
• Next week, February 19-23 – Winter Recess – School is closed!
• Monday, February 26 – Back to school

Enjoy the winter break week with your family and friends, and we’ll see you back at OR on the 26^th!