A Note from Ms. Marlatt
Dear Bison Families,
CMAS (the yearly mandatory state test that all 3rd, 4th and 5th grade elementary students participate in) information was shared with you from our district last week. I wanted to now share with you specific information about Second Creek and how we performed in this yearly test.
- How did our school perform?
The state of Colorado views performance as both achievement (are students performing at grade level?) and also growth (are students getting better, regardless of whether they are at grade level or not?). Last year's tests reveal that we are getting better at achievement, and we continue to grow students. Compared to the year before, Second Creek scored higher in achievement overall. We saw significant improvement in results for our CLD (Culturally and Linguistic Diverse) students. We did suffer a big dip in achievement and growth in 4th grade. You can view results by school and grade level HERE. This is a reshare of what our district shared last week.
- What does that mean?
This is overall good news for our students and families. The results were mostly positive and shows us that what we are doing in the classroom is working.
- What are we doing about our results?
I view this part as a multifaceted list of actions and behaviors that involves both families and the school staff.
1. We continue to pay close attention to attendance. If students are not here, we can't help them grow and achieve.
2. Instead of hiring a dean for our school, I invested in a second instructional coach. This means more feedback and help for teachers and growth for all.
3. I also invested in a 3rd Special Education teacher. Last year we had 2 full-time teachers and 1 half time teacher. This year we have 3 amazing new teachers to help our students achieve.
4. We have made changes to 4th grade. One significant change is departmentalizing the grade level (like we do in 5th grade). Why? Content gets complex in 4th grade, and it becomes very hard for teachers to plan all lessons for all content levels. Teachers now can focus on 2 subjects (math and science or language arts and social students). We should see a difference in content delivery and hopefully results.
5. We continue to celebrate positive behaviors through our PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) systems which translates into a safe and inclusive learning environment, where students are happy and excited to attend.
6. We as a school continue to pursue excellence for all students.
One more piece of information is coming your way after September 5th. The state will release our SPF (School Performance Framework). Once the state makes this available for us, I will share it with all of you via our dialer.
Learning is a partnership. We depend on your collaboration with us in order to provide our students with amazing learning experiences. Thank you for your part in this, we look forward to see how we grow our students this year!
If you have questions about the CMAS results, I am available for a chat. Please call the office to set up an appointment.
Thank you for sharing your children with us!
Ana Marlatt
Birthday Celebrations
We love celebrating our students' special day. We celebrate birthdays everyday by calling students down to the office for a birthday button. This is the schedule:
July birthdays get celebrated in August.
June birthdays get celebrated in May
We celebrate Saturday birthdays on Fridays
We celebrate Sunday and Monday birthdays on Tuesdays.
WASHI TAPE!
The Art department is in need of your washi tape that you don't use anymore. This tape will be used towards a tape resistant painting technique project and would be greatly appreciated! Please send the tape with your student or just drop it off at the office! Thank you so much in advance!'
Traffic Reminders
If you are a returning family to Second Creek, you know our parking lot is small and needs special care during morning drop off and afternoon pick up. Thank you for contributing to the overall safety of our staff and students!
If you are a new family to Second Creek, please read the information below carefully. Staff and sometimes Commerce City police are out during morning drop off and afternoon dismissal to make sure everyone is safe.
Parents, it is very important that we do not park on the bus lane before or after school. Blocking the bus causes delays that go beyond our school.
Here are a few reminders about our drop off and pick up procedures. You know that Commerce City police pops in once in a while and issue tickets to vehicles that are not following our safety rules... so please make sure you are doing what you can do keep our students and staff safe!
- No parked cars in the "no parking zone" - which is by the sidewalk from the beginning of the parking lot all the way to the front doors. This is a fire lane and also a bus lane. There is NO PARKING anytime. Only drop off or pick up. We have noticed many cars parked waiting for the school to open in the morning, blocking the bus and causing lines of cars that go all the way outside the parking lot. Please drop off your student and go - no parking.
- Same rules apply for pick up after school.
- Students eating breakfast can be dropped off at 7:30am and 7:35am for non-breakfast eaters. We do not have supervision for students who are dropped off before these times.
- Students must be picked up at 3:30pm every day. We do not have staff to supervise students after school.
- Let us know if you need information about our before and after-school program.
- Please only use the handicap parking if you have a handicap license.
- The Staff of the Month parking is for staff only at all times.
We appreciate your cooperation!
Second Creek Elementary School
Website: Home - Second Creek Elementary (sd27j.org)
Location: 9950 Laredo Drive, Commerce City, CO, USA
Phone: 720-685-7550
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/113896305938825/