As educators, administering standardized tests come with many mixed emotions. While summative tests such as the CAASPP offer high-level, actionable information about our system (i.e. to identify trends over time or curricular gaps or even to make other resource related decisions), it is just one piece of the picture of how our students are doing. For students the assessments also come with varying levels of anxiety and barriers that make them inaccessible for students. One way to face these challenges is to prepare students for what they will feel neurologically. Consider reading “The Neuroscience of Standardized Test-Taking” then talking to your students about it. One of the key ways to prepare students for standardized testing is to make sure they have access to grade level content and standards all year long. Listen to Katie Novak talk about this and run through some lesson ideas for test prep in this video. Here are some additional activities that you can do with your students:

• Nearpod has a nice lesson on preparing for tests. Even if you don’t use Nearpod, you can use the slideshow with students to help them reflect and prepare. Whenever there is a prompt, you can give students the option to write or discuss their answers.

• Review this handout on strategies for acing a multiple-choice test. Consider sharing with learners, asking them to reflect on their favorite strategies, and then provide them with practice tests while they put the tips into practice!

• Tell students they have been hired to give a presentation at Hype-Up Event for a standardized test. They have to make a 1-2 minute presentation on how to stay focused and calm during standardized testing. They can share their presentations in writing, in the video, or in a small group. These resources will be helpful to explore and share.

1. Reducing Test Anxiety
2. How Can Teachers Help Students Reduce Test Anxiety
   

3. 30 Days of Mindfulness from Calm

It is with mixed emotions that we say good-bye to Maggie Riley as she retires this June, after leading summer camp for middle school students. We are excited for her to begin her next adventure and know that she will be greatly missed. Maggie joined ICOE with a wealth of experience and enthusiasm for leading education in the outdoors. During her time she led the expansion of the 3rd grade Taking Root program to all schools in Inyo county, she created the 5th grade Branching Out program, adapted programs to provide outdoor experiences during the pandemic, presented professional learning for educators around the world, and initiated several shifts for delivering instruction that keeps learning more student centered with integration of 21st century learning goals. Maggie's dedication to these programs will continue to extend into her retirement as she meets new people on the trails and encourages them to visit ICOE to volunteer for these programs. If you didn't know, Maggie was famous for recruiting instructors almost everywhere she went - showing a deep passion for the work she was able to lead at ICOE. Please join us in wishing her well by responding on the form below and be sure to share your favorite hiking or camping spots to keep her busy in retirement!

Twenty-Three students from local elementary and middle schools participated in the 2022-23 countywide Spelling Bee at Jill Kinmont Boothe School on April 6, 2023. The winners of the Elementary division (grades 4-6) were:

• 1st Place Vivian Grace Leon (6th) Owens Valley School
• 2nd Place Hazel Hays (6th) Home Street Middle School
• 3rd Place Margaux Carleton (5th) Round Valley Elementary School

The winners of the Junior High division (grades (7-9) were:

• 1st Place Gustavo Rosas (7th) Lone Pine School
• 2nd Place Drake Martinez (8th) Owens Valley School
• 3rd Place Julia Hoang (7th) Home Street Middle School

Thank you to coaches Meghan Fuchs, Amy Ablanedo, Bob Heist, Gemma Arana, and Rory Winzenread for working with their students to prepare them for the bee.

Representing Inyo County at the Elementary State Bee in May will be Vivian Leon and Hazel Hays. Gustavo Rosas and Drake Martinez will represent Inyo County at the Junior High State Bee in May. Congratulations to all the student participants!

Approximately 200 5th graders from Inyo County traveled to the Tri-County
Fairgrounds on Friday, April 21st to learn about Careers and how post secondary education can transfer to greater success within those careers. Students rotated through 8 different sessions for an introduction to careers in physical fitness, healthcare, law enforcement, science, art, the great outdoors, and education. A local Cerro Coso Community College representative also talked to students about community college and the opportunities available in Bishop. After the event, students shared about their goals:

• "I think I want to do art or be a vet"
• "My goal is to go to college"

And some shared some advice that resonated with them from the presenters:

• "Never give up your dream and always keep your head up"
  

• Behavior Supports in the Classroom: How to Implement Reinforcement Strategies (May 8 at 3 p.m.) Participants will increase their understanding of why students engage in problem behavior; learn specific explanations on how to implement positive behavior strategies within the classroom environment from the Prevent, Teach, Reinforce model; and create an action plan to enhance classroom positive behavior supports. Register for the Behavior Supports in the Classroom webinar on the CDE Diagnostic Center, Northern California Special Training Events web page. Please email contactus@dcn-cde.ca.gov or call 510-794-2500 to learn more.
  
  

• Universal Design for Learning in the Age of Multi-Tiered System of Supports (May 10 at 3 p.m.) Participants will learn the framework of UDL, the basics of UDL implementation, how teachers can develop assessment measures that incorporate components of the UDL framework, and how to use technology to break down barriers to learning. Register for the UDL in the Age of MTSS webinar on the CDE Diagnostic Center, Northern California Special Training Events web page. Please email contactus@dcn-cde.ca.gov or call 510-794-2500 to learn more.
  
  

• Computer Science Professional Learning (June 5th kickoff): Both in-person and virtual Summer of CS workshops are available for all grades K-12. Most workshops are 3-day or 5-day workshops. Academic year support is also included at no cost. Classroom educators and paraprofessionals will receive a $175 per day (6 hours) incentive for active participation. No computer science experience is necessary. Everyone can teach computer science! Register by Wednesday, May 10th.
  
  
• Virtual California Early Literacy Conference (June 14–15): Everyone Has the Right to Read. This free, two-day conference (June 14–15 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) will feature evidence-based practices in elementary literacy (grades TK–6), sessions on literacy for multilingual learners, special education, assessment, SEL, trauma-informed practices, literacy coaching, and more. This event is free of charge, and registration is required through the Education Speakers Network's California Early Literacy Conference web page.
  

• The Early Math Symposium (June 23): This virtual symposium will celebrate promising practices, activities, resources, and strategies. The Early Math Symposium is a professional development opportunity jointly sponsored by the California Department of Education, the California State Board of Education, First Five California, WestEd, the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools, the AIMS Center for Math and Science, the Department of Social Services, and the California Early Math Project. Topics include Geometry and Spatial Thinking, Routines to Promote Logical Thinking, Early Math in the Library, Diviersity in Childrens Literature. Register here: https://registration.socio.events/e/earlymathsymposium

The Teacher Ranger Teacher program is a professional development opportunity for K-12 teachers to spend the summer acquiring new skills in experiential learning through a program provided by a partnership between the National Park Service (NPS) and the University of Colorado Denver (CUD). The participants spend between four and six weeks in a NPS unit developing a major educational project and participating in an online graduate course from CU Denver. The goal of the program is to train teachers in the resources and themes of the NPS so that they can return to their schools in the fall and incorporate their new skills into their classroom activities. NPS aims to especially reach students from underserved schools and districts by recruiting teachers from Title 1, urban or rural schools and from tribal schools to participate in the Teacher Ranger Teacher program. For more information, visit this link.

Email: edservices@inyocoe.org
Website: learn.inyocoe.org
Location: 166 Grandview Road, Bishop, CA, USA
Phone: (760) 873-3262