Principal Report – Q4.1 | Heritage Elementary

Week of April 01, 2024

Happy Sunday Hawk Families!

Happy Easter Sunday for those who follow Christian holidays. We hope that you’ve had an opportunity to enjoy some time off with your family during our Spring Break and are returning rested and rejuvenated. We are entering the fourth and final quarter of the academic school year. WOW, how quickly time passes!

This quarter is dedicated to end of year CAASPP testing in English and Math as well as local assessments using iReady(Math), Achieve 3000 (Reading) and SmartyAnts (Phonics-Primary Grades).

TESTING CALENDAR

District Local Measures testing (Achieve3000, iReady & Smarty Ants) for Kinder – 6th takes place
April 8th – May 10th
- Your child’s teacher can provide a more specific date per class.
State Summative CAASPP testing for grades 3rd – 6th will proceed as follows:
– CAST (Science Assessment for 5th) April 24 – April 25
– CAASPP ELA / Math (3rd & 4th grade) April 29 – May 3
– CAASPP ELA / Math (5th & 6th grade) May 6 – May 10
We ask that you attempt to limit absences (appointments/vacations) during the testing windows
to create a stable testing environment with minimal distractions and make-up testing.
By working together, we can make your child’s testing experience positive and successful. Here are
some suggestions that will help your child succeed:
- Get a good night’s rest Arrive at school on time
- Eat a healthy breakfast Gently remind your child to always do their best
- Here a few resources to help you better understand the CAASPP tests and have an opportunity to
  practice with your student.
Parent Resources: https://www.caaspp.org/ta-resources/parent-resources.html
Starting Smarter website: https://ca.startingsmarter.org
Public Practice & Training Test Resources: https://www.caaspp.org/practice-and-training/index.html

Mints… We need mints for testing. If you are willing and able to donate a bag of mints we could use them for our statewide testing coming up.

Please enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Sincerely,

DR & JG

Upcoming Dates

3/18-04/01 – Spring Break and Cesar Chavez Holiday – No School
04/02 -(Tue) – School Resumes for ALL Students, 1st Day of 4th Quarter – Minimum Day – dismissal @ 12:45pm
04/05 – (Fri) – PTO Family Dance starting at 5:30pm

PTO News

Rock-N-Roll into the Night – Family Dance

Friday, April 05, 2024 at 5:30pm-8:00pm.
$10 per ticket includes 1 entry, dinner and drink.

Annual Chalk Festival

Thursday, April 11
Volunteers needed! Stay tuned for our volunteer link.

English Language Learners (ELL)

ELPAC – English Language Proficiency Assessment for California

Testing window – February 05-April 12

Tips for Parents:

Develop Language at home through family activities such as baking cookies or building a puzzle
Utilize ELPAC Online Practice Tests: https://www.elpac.org/resources/practicetests /#practice-training-tests
Understand what is on the ELPAC – Domain Information Sheet: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/ep/elpacdomaininfo.asp
Before Testing –
- Retell stories they Read
- Make Listening Games
- Play games and talk about sequence
After Testing –
- Talk about their feelings and celebrate their efforts
- Discuss what was easy and challenging
- Remind them that you LOVE them for just who they are

ATTENDANCE & CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM

Please make sure that your children/students are coming to school and are on time. We’ve had an increase in tardies and absences, which can have a negative impact on their learning and on families who are on Zone Transfers. CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM is when a student is absent for 10% or more of the school year. It impacts students ability to form strong relationships with peers, impacts students ability to perform well academically, and can create poor habits that are hard to break. CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM is created by both excused and unexcused absences. Please communicate with the office if your family expects to take time off (3 days or more) from school so that we can support you with an Independent Contract while you are away. By doing this your student(s) will not be marked absent. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Please see see below for when to call in sick and when to keep your student at home.