JFK Parent News

October 13, 2023: Edition 8, Issue 3

JFK Families,

Academic achievement and growth play an important role at JFK. This year, we have two overarching academic goals as a building. First "All students will improve their reading skills." Second, "All students will improve their math skills." To ensure all students are on track to meet these goals, teachers collaborate twice a week as a grade level to review student data, discuss meaningful instruction, and create intervention lessons to support students based on areas of need. While the process is time-consuming, research has shown the positive impact it has on student learning.

We have analyzed our NWEA MAP data over the last few weeks to measure the impact of our instructional strategies. One area of focus was the growth students made from the Fall of 2022 to the Fall of 2023. As a staff, we are proud to announce JFK was 1st in the District for Median Conditional Growth Percentile in MAP Reading, 3rd - 5th grade and 3rd in the District for Median Conditional Growth Percentile in MAP Math, Kindergarten - 5th grade.

What does this mean? It means, students at JFK made tremendous growth over the last calendar year in Reading and Math! Academic success of JFK students could not be possible without positive family support, dedicated educators, and students who practice and get better every day. We are excited to see the continued growth and achievement academically for all our JFK students!

We have many events and breaks happening in November. Please scroll through the rest of this newsletter for more details on everything happening at JFK in November!

Sincerely,

Mr. Wright, Principal

Papa Murphy's Reading Program

Learning to read is a critical skill for all children's success. One of our School Improvement Plan goals is to help every student improve their reading skills. During the school day, students practice reading fluently, decoding skills, and working to comprehend texts. One way that parents and guardians can help students improve their child's reading skills at home is by creating an at-home reading routine! Studies have consistently shown that reading at home with children has a positive impact on their literacy achievement. Papa Murphy's wants to support this mission as well by encouraging students to read books. When your child finishes reading a book, please complete the information listed on the flyer your child brings home. After 10 books are finished, you can turn the completed paper to your child’s teacher to receive the Free Mini Murph Pizza Kit Bookmark. This opportunity is optional for families to participate in this school year. Happy Reading!

Art to Remember--Orders due Nov 10

This semester, our school is participating in a unique fundraising program with Art to Remember that gives you the opportunity to purchase keepsake items with your child's artwork on them. The best part is that every keepsake order supports our school. Just head to ArtToRemember.com and search for your child’s name, enter their online order code, or upload artwork from home and start shopping! Orders are due by November 10th.

Superintendent's Column

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Student Proficiency Then and Now-Is it Really Different, or Did , By Dr. Jane Stavem

It's been said that in order to know where you're going, you need to understand where you've been. In education, understanding where we've been is crucial to improving the educational experience for our students.

One area where we've seen significant changes over the years is in the way we report student proficiency. This evolution has prompted us to reflect on how far we've come and whether these changes are truly transformative or if they've simply shone a light on information that was previously hidden.

If you're like me, you may have fond memories of your school days. You might recall your classmates, teachers, and the unique experiences that shaped your education. But how much do you remember about standardized test scores and proficiency levels? Chances are, not much. In fact, many of us never had those scores reported publicly, and it makes you wonder: Has anything changed, or is it just that we now know about it thanks to the changes that began with the No Child Left Behind Act?

The No Child Left Behind Act, passed in 2001, was a significant turning point in education policy. It required schools to report student achievement data, disaggregated by various subgroups, including race and socioeconomic status. This marked a shift in transparency and accountability in our education system, but it also raised questions about whether the emphasis on standardized test scores was fair to both students and schools.

Before this era of transparency, we had a vague understanding of who the top performers were in our graduating class, and we had little information about those who were struggling. We might have known the valedictorian, the star athlete, or the class president, but we had little insight into the individual strengths and challenges of our peers. The idea of proficiency, in terms of standardized test scores, was rarely discussed openly.

I think about my own class of 26 graduates from our small Nebraska community. Here’s the breakdown of what could be determined as proficiency based on our post-high school enrollments and who received special education services:

8 students received special services and did not go to a program after high school - 31%
3 students went to a vocational school - 12%
6 students completed a four-year degree - 23%
9 students completed a post-baccalaureate degree program - 35%

All of them are gainfully employed, some of them were big surprises as successful adults, and nobody vilified my school district because a quarter of my class was struggling readers.

Fast forward to the present day, and the landscape of education looks quite different. Our focus on reporting student proficiency and holding schools accountable for their performance has increased significantly. We have embraced data-driven decision-making, which has both benefits and challenges. While this increased transparency has shed light on achievement gaps and prompted schools to address disparities, it has also raised concerns about the narrowing of curriculum and excessive testing.

In asking whether these changes have truly transformed education, it's important to consider the trade-offs. Are we now more aware of student proficiency because it's being measured more rigorously, or are we simply more attuned to it due to policy changes and headlines? Moreover, are we striking the right balance between a focus on accountability versus the holistic development of our students?

As we continue to navigate the evolving landscape of education, it's crucial to remember that proficiency scores are just one piece of the puzzle. We must also recognize and value the diverse talents, passions, and aspirations of our students. The well-rounded development of young minds is a complex endeavor, and standardized testing, while valuable for assessment benchmarking, should never be the sole measure of a student's potential or success.

The changes in reporting student proficiency have undoubtedly transformed our educational landscape for good and for bad, and the true impact lies in how we use this information to support our students and schools.

Let's continue to focus on a well-rounded education for all while valuing the talents and potential of each of our students. Some of them may surprise us along the way!

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the Sioux Falls School District.

Online Absence Requests--Available Now!

JFK Parent Handbook

The 23-24 JFK Parent Handbook is filled with information about daily routines, general school rules and expectations, as well as the required annual policy notifications.

School Meal Payment Guide

Click Here to Access the Free/Reduced Lunch Application

It is imperative that families who MAY qualify for free/reduced meal prices complete the application each year.

Good News! That application can now be found in the Parent Portal of Infinite Campus. Simply use the same login where you check grades and where you provided the annual information update to complete the application. From the left menu, click More, then Meal Benefits, then on the link that says Meal Application. An electronic signature PIN is required to submit your Meal Benefits Application. If you do not have an electronic signature PIN created, you will be prompted to do so prior to starting your online Meal Benefits Application. It takes 5 to 10 minutes to complete the application.

Parents/Guardians will incur meal costs in the 2023-24 school year, unless the Free/Reduced Application is approved based on income guidelines. Completing the form now will allow your child a seamless start to the school year. Thank you!