2024-2025 ACCESS Test for English Learners: State and federal laws require that all English Learner (EL) students are assessed annually to measure their proficiency and progress in reading, writing, listening and speaking in English. Minnesota uses the ACCESS for ELLs (Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-to-State) test as its annual assessment. EL students who receive special education services and who meet certain guidelines may take the WIDA Alternate ACCESS test instead. These tests are used to see if students are meeting the WIDA English Language Development Standards and determine if a student is ready to exit from SPPS’s EL program.
All HRMS EL students in grades 6-8 will be administered the ACCESS for ELLs or WIDA Alternate ACCESS tests between January 27 - March 21, 2025.
If you have questions about your student’s participation, please reach out to your child’s principal or testing coordinator, Katie Bannon (kathryn.bannon@spps.org).
For more information on English language proficiency assessments and the MDE Parent/Guardian Participation Guide and Refusal form, please go to: ACCESS Family Test Information website: spps.org/REA MDE Family Testing Information website: education.mn.gov/MDE/fam/tests/
Midyear Assessments: This month, district wide students students will be taking the winter FAST reading test in their ELA class and the Savvas mid-year assessment in their math classes.
Hello Families!
We have successfully transitioned back to school this past week. It has been a joy to reconnect with our scholars, reteach expectations and remind students of the importance of going to bed early!
I want to extend an invitation to all our families to come to our FSO (Family Staff Organization) meeting next Thursday, Jan. 16. We hope to provide information on supporting your middle school scholar through the winter months! A variety of staff will be on hand to share tips and answer questions. I hope you can join us!
As always, feel free to reach out to me via email (teresa.vibar@spps.org) or call: 651-744-2442 with questions and concerns. I enjoy partnering with our families for their scholar's success.
Teresa Vibar
Ms. Rolig - Art
Hello from the Hidden River Art Room! We are still building cardboard sculptures this quarter and collecting cardboard boxes, tubes and packaging. Crochet and sewing have also been really popular and we are short on crochet hooks and sewing needles. If anybody has some to donate we will put them to good use. Thank you! Ms. Rolig
Family-Staff Organization (FSO) - Please join us on Thursday, January 16th at 5:30 in the library for our monthly FSO meeting. Have you heard Hidden River described as a "Title 1 School"? Come learn what that means in terms of the benefits we receive, and our obligations in using those funds. We will also talk about the results of our November fundraising campaign and consider requests to fund school activities for February. We will also have staff on hand to help walk you through the supports we have available to your family as you navigate Middle School - both online platforms and in-person supports. Childcare is available. If you would like to attend but transportation is an issue, please email or call Wendy at wendy.caucutt@spps.org or 651-744-2007 and it will be arranged. Hope to see you there!
FSO Fundraiser at Kowalski's on Grand Ave - The Grand Avenue Kowalski's has included Hidden River Middle School in there "Groceries For Good Causes" Program. Drop your Kowalski's receipt in the box labeled "Hidden River Middle School" near the Starbuck's exit and Hidden River will earn points. At the end of the quarter, Kowalski's will tally the receipts and make donations based on the amount of support received. It's not about how much you spend - each receipt is worth one point! HUGE THANKS to parent Charlotte Hanley-Jacobson who organized this opportunity!
The FLL Regional Tournament is an exciting event, click HERE to learn more! SPPS students in grades 4-8 who participate in the FLL program at their daytime school will meet on Saturday, January 18, 2025.
This school year, SPPS has 54 teams who will participate at the Regional Tournament, and we need help to make this a successful event for our students. Teams will present their Robot Design and Innovation Projects to judges and compete at the Robot Game while practicing their Core Values.
To volunteer, Sign-Up HERE!
What: SPPS FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Regional Tournament
When: Saturday, January 18, 2025
8:00AM - 4:00PM
Where: Capitol Hill Magnet School
560 Rondo Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55103
Keep Connected Family Engagement Partnership with Search Institute and Change Inc.:
As you might be aware, Hidden River has partnered with Search Institute and Change Inc. to offer the Keep Connected program to students and their families this year. Keep Connected offers resources to families, including tips, ideas, activities and learning opportunities to support strong family relationships.
One such opportunity is an upcoming workshop series, beginning in February, designed to strengthen your connection with your child, and develop relationships with other Hidden River families. The content of the workshop is based on the research of Search Institute and explores a developmental relationship framework to help kids thrive! Change Inc.'s school-based therapists will facilitate conversations and activities with both parents/caregivers and youth, supporting mutual learning and connection. We will provide a meal, childcare, interpretation and transportation. See the flyer for more information. We'd love to have you join us!
Please RSVP to Wendy Caucutt, Family Liaison, at wendy.caucutt@spps.org with questions or to sign up!
Family Talk Starters - This Week’s Focus: Help each other complete tasks and achieve goals. This is a great way to PROVIDE SUPPORT through family relationships.
When you have a few minutes, ask other family members a question or two. Enjoy the conversation!
- What are things outside of yourself or your family that can get in the way of achieving your goals? How can other members of your family help you navigate through those barriers?
What do you most appreciate people doing to help you when you’re working toward a goal? Why?
