Monthly Sept.11

Welcome back! It’s always exciting to start a new year, seeing all the students from last year and welcoming the new families to MES. The year began with a bang when the PTO hosted our annual Ice Cream Social the night before classes started. I would like to thank everyone who attended that fun evening as well as all who came to Back to School Night. As we head into this new year I would like to introduce a new staff member. Mrs. Keasling joined us this year from SES and is teaching fourth grade. Please welcome her aboard.

  Every year in the first newsletter I attempt to keep all of the MES stakeholders notified of our status relevant to No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In the past I’ve explained how the NCLB law requires students to obtain a predetermined Percent Above the Cut (PAC) that translates into how many students are proficient on the state mandated Criterion Reference Test (CRT).  On the surface this appears to be very simple, but in reality it is very complex. If you will picture a table with nine rows and four columns you begin to see the complexity unfold. Instead of one single PAC rate for the entire school, which is actually one of the boxes, all subpopulations have their own box that must be checked.  To compound the formula, a box is only required to be checked if we have an “N,” which is the number of students within that subpopulation.  Currently an “N” is 25 students. Now to further muddy the water a single student can be counted in multiple boxes.  Last year I explained how we were placed on the “Watch List” for failing to make the PAC for one specific subpopulation in the areas of Math and English Language Arts (ELA). I’m pleased to announce that subpopulation raised its PAC to a level that removed that particular group from the list. However, a different subpopulation failed to make the PAC in the area of Math. As a result we have now been placed on the “Needs to Improve” list for this school year. Even though as a school we surpassed the state average in both Math and ELA. Since this is our first year on the list there are no sanctions or restrictions placed on us. We will be addressing the needs of the identified subpopulation and make every effort to raise the number of proficient students within that group to a level which will remove the current designation. If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to stop by. I would be happy to explain NCLB and the data that is used to make determinations for schools.   

Finally, every fall our PTO conducts a fundraiser to generate funds that benefit our students throughout the year. Traditionally it has been some sort of sales activity where the school received a percentage of the total sales. This year the PTO is sponsoring our first annual Walk-a thon. Not only does this promote physical fitness, but the best part is that every dollar raised remains at the school. Please support your child in their endeavors in obtaining pledges, thank you.  

Together in Education,

Ken Stoll