During May, all students at Mukilteo Elementary in grades 3-5 will take the Smarter Balanced Assessments in English/Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, and students in grade 5 will also take a science test (Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science, or WCAS). We use these state assessments as some of the ways to know how students are doing at meeting grade level standards and expectations in these areas. This newsletter provides information about when our school plans to give the tests and general information about these tests.

The ELA test takes about 3-4 hours to complete all of its parts and is usually spread out over 3 days. The math test takes about 2-3 hours and is typically given over a 2-day period. The science test lasts about 2-3 hours and usually completed during the course of one school day. To avoid test fatigue, students take the tests over a series of short sessions, and breaks are given to keep the students fresh. For example, students may work for 45 minutes and then stop until the next scheduled session, picking up where they left off. These tests are not timed, so we make arrangements for students who need more time to complete the test to continue testing in another room or on another day.

Most students will take all the tests on a computer. Scratch paper is available to be used during some parts of the tests. Calculators and other tools needed for students to respond to test items are included within the test itself or are provided by the school.

Yes. Some parts of the test require student to listen to a passage and chose from several options that are written within the test itself. Students also click on videos, recordings, and graphics within the exam. We will provide a set of headphones to all students. However, if your child has a set of headphones or earbuds, please consider sending them with your child to use during testing. The set should not be expensive because we will not be able to replace them if they are lost or damaged.

Students should be well rested and eat a good breakfast before school starts on the day of a test. (Students are able to get free breakfast at school daily.) Be sure your child is at school on time each day as we start testing in the morning and prompt attendance helps students feel comfortable and not rushed.

Encourage your student to try their best and to keep working hard when a question is more difficult. Each test has items that range in difficulty, and the test may get harder for some students toward the end because it adapts, based on how well a student is performing. When the test gets harder, it’s a sign the student is doing well, as more challenging test questions are presented when students have answered many questions correctly. Some items may even include concepts that a student has never seen before, probably because the concepts are covered in a higher grade. If students understand this, they are more likely to try hard. But don’t put too much pressure on your child – higher anxiety interferes with our best thinking and performance.

These assessments measure students’ progress on meeting the state standards in the subjects being tested. During the year, students learn the material related to these standards that are covered by the test and students sometimes take similar tests. They also practice ahead of time to understand how the testing system works, such as, signing in, how to use the tools in the test, and scrolling through answer options. All the tests are structured the same way they have been in the past, and most students above grade 3 have taken the ELA and math tests in a previous grade, so they will be familiar with how the tests work. Teachers also discuss simple test-taking strategies with their students, such as, making sure to read the instructions carefully for each question. We are confident our students are well-prepared for the upcoming SBA tests, and are going to perform well - putting forth their best effort each day. Our teachers and staff have worked to ensure each student is working toward grade level proficiency in the academic areas of reading, writing, math and science, and our students all continue to show growth in these areas.

You can learn more about each test by visiting the following websites:

• Smarter Balanced Assessments
• Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science

Hello Families,

The last few weeks we as a staff have been working to have a larger staff presence at dismissal due to excessive running and safety concerns. The expectation is that students are walking on campus at dismissal. In recent months we have had many accidents with students falling and getting seriously injured and have had adults almost get knocked over by running students. Please be mindful that our goal is to keep all students safe at dismissal by making sure they are walking. If you could help support this by talking to your student and reminding them to be safe by walking, we would greatly appreciate it.

The lost and found is full, please come pick any missing by May 3rd.

During May & June, our teaching staff will be cooperatively working to place students entering Grades 1-5 in classes for the 2024-2025 school year. We work to create the best community of learning for each classroom by looking at creating an equitable distribution of students of different abilities, talents, personalities and approaches to learning. Student placement is a complex task and the list below gives you a sampling of some of the things that are taken into consideration by staff through the placement process:

• Academic Achievement
• Behavior & Social Skills
• Learning Styles
• Class Size
• Relationships

Due to the variables and complexity of placements, we are asking parents to trust our process and allow our teachers to make placement decisions. Also, due to withdrawals and additional registrations that occur during the summer, classroom rosters are not completed until the end of summer. We will notify you of your child’s tentative assignment for the 2024-2025 school year in late August.

All student assignments are tentative until a determination is made after the 4th day of school in September. At that time, adjustments may be made based on final enrollment and staffing numbers.

While parent requests for particular teachers are not accepted, if you desire to provide input about your child’s learning needs and learning style, please fill out the electronic Parent Input Form at the link below by Friday, May, 10th at 4:00 p.m.

Please join our ME PTSA community for the kickoff to Teacher Appreciation Week on Sunday May 5th, from 3-5 PM, at Mukilteo Elementary.

Parents, please accompany your children as we decorate the school sidewalks with chalk messages and pictures to greet the teachers and staff on Monday morning.

Chalk will be provided. Thank you!

Get Ready to Shine at our M.E. Got Talent Show on Thursday, May 16th from 6 - 8 PM!

Whether you're a singer, dancer, magician, or have a unique talent to share, we can't wait to see what you've got! All students, families and staff can perform any live performance, including singing, dancing, acting, comedy, or other talents, are encouraged.

• Acts must be 3 minutes or less.
• Only performers allowed in audition room, parents may wait in the hall.
• Auditions are first come, first served.
• All acts and attire must be age appropriate for elementary school, otherwise we reserve the right to make necessary changes.
• Performers who are selected MUST be able to attend the rehearsal AND dress rehearsal.
• Only performers and parent volunteers allowed during the rehearsals. *Stay tuned for more details on dress rehearsal prior to our event night.

It's time to showcase your talents and dazzle the crowd. Registration and online auditions are still being accepted HERE.

Should you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Co-President/Committee Chair, Liberty Ziskas.

It’s that vibrant time of year again when we come together to plan our much-anticipated Spring Carnival on, Thursday, June 13, from 5:30 - 8 PM!

Pre-sale tickets will once again be available for in-person purchases on the following dates/times:

5/16 *Right before the Talent Show
5/23 3-3:40 PM and 5:45- 6:30 PM *Before the 1st grade concert
6/5 3-3:40 PM *In front of the school

Please consider volunteer position(s) for this event and sign up HERE.

We are looking for a committee of people willing to help plan and execute the ME PTSA Auction that will be happening in November 2024. If you are in any way interested, please join us for the first planning meeting on Monday, May 6th from 3:30-4:30pm in Mrs. Heinitz’s classroom (Room 54). Kids are welcome to attend with you!

ME PTSA stocks coffee and tea in the staff lounge to show our gratitude for all our amazing Educators. Please feel free to donate K-cups (regular, decaf) and tea any time; they are greatly appreciated!

You can bring donations to the front office any time!

Date: May 20, 2024, 7:00pm start time, social time at 6:45pm!
Location: In Person at ME or Virtual (Please RSVP!)

Our next ME PTSA General Meeting is on Monday, May 20, 2024 @7pm PST. We will meet in the M.E. Library, with the option to join via Zoom.

Please RSVP to receive Zoom link and agenda by email on the morning of the meeting.

All are welcome, including students and siblings. See you soon!

On behalf of our Nominating Committee, we are pleased to announce that our 2024-25 Mukilteo Elementary PTSA Executive Board Candidates have been nominated:

Co-Presidents:
Liberty Ziska and Cara Mothersbaugh

VP of Membership:
Amanda Uphaus

VP of Communications/Volunteers:
Laura Berner

Secretary:
Nichole Merkle

Treasurer:
Alicia Taylor

Make your voice heard and help shape the future of our upcoming ME PTSA school community. Election will take place during our next General Meeting on Monday, May 20th, at 7 PM. Any and all students, parents, staff, teachers, and community members are welcome to attend, but only paid members of ME PTSA can vote. Please RSVP to attend.