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Foothill MS Community Memo
Thursday, February 22nd, 2024
I hope everyone had a wonderful 4 day weekend! We have many items scheduled for the weeks and months ahead, please check out the details below. Much more is on our school calendar located on our school website. Students are having so much fun interacting here at school. Brunch and lunch are both times for students to unplug, socialize, and enjoy a snack. The food service department is very appreciative of the return of students carrying their school ID so the process is speedier. Additionally all our students have the Media Center open for Brunch and Lunch to enjoy new books, games, and non-tech down time.
With Appreciation,
Principal Stull
Tuesday, February 27:
- Choir Pops Concert 7-8pm
Wednesday, February 28:
- 3:30pm FMS School Site Council Open Hearing online for adoption of the School Safety Plan
Tuesday, March 5:
- Minimum Day- Dismissal 12:30pm
Monday, March 11:
- Teacher in-service day (no school for students)
Looking ahead:
Spring Break: March 28-April 5, 2024
Arts Fest/Open House: May 2nd, 2024 5:30-7pm
CAASPP testing: May 13-21, 2024
8th grade Promotion: June 4, 2024
LAST Day of the 2023-2024 school year: June 4, 2023, out at 12:30pm.
Math class placement for 2024-2025 (rising 7th and 8th grade students)
Placement into the advanced math classes (Accelerated Math 7 and Algebra) is based on multiple measures as defined by the District. The measures that will be used are determined by the district and will be completed in the Spring in addition to the previous year’s CAASPP scores, and current grades. This is the case for all schools within the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. With the multiple measures determination will not be completed until after this school year has completed. Notification of the class will be via the assigned class in August.
Grades are appropriate for demonstrating learning but it cannot be a sole indicator for readiness for the curriculum in an advanced math class. This is especially true as students assess for mastery, at times allowing them to retest multiple times to increase their grades. We need to make sure the skills that they are demonstrating are enduring which is why assessments are utilized as well.
One of the assessments utilized is the MDTP Readiness Test (a diagnostic testing program created from UC San Diego) which is a reliable indicator to assess essential topics needed for success in the CA Common Core State Standards for a particular math level. Both advanced math classes need to have students mastered the essential topics so they will be prepared for the accelerated content and pace of the course.
Once the 2024-2025 school year begins the math teachers will provide a diagnostic assessment as well as monitoring performance to see if any shifts need to happen from growth that has occurred or was not fully demonstrated. After the school year has begun you may reach out to your student’s math teacher and express your wish for advancement. They will then monitor closely any shift that may need to occur.
Please also know that taking Math 7 does not prohibit their ability to demonstrate their readiness at the end of the year for any advanced class offered in 8th grade.
If your student is not at school PLEASE call!
This one-pager is a great resource for clearing absences, what are valid excuses for absences (CA EdCode), getting an off-campus pass, and more specifics.
IF you have a 7th Grade Student for 2024-2025 please read
California schools are required to check immunization records for all new student admissions at TK/Kindergarten through 12th grade and all students advancing to 7th grade before entry. Parents must show their child's Immunization Record as proof of immunization.
7th grade checkpoint:
- All required vaccines for TK/K entry plus
- Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Tdap) — 1 booster
(Whooping cough booster usually given at 11 years and up) - Varicella (Chickenpox) — 2 doses
(usually given at ages 12 months and 4-6 years)
More information found on the District Website here.
You may drop off proof in the office OR email a copy to our Registrar at wheelerb@mdusd.org
Join Konstella to stay up-to-date with all things PFA!
https://sites.google.com/site/foothillmiddleschoolpfa/home Here is a link to the PFA website with all of the information you will need.
Home of the Griffins
Website: foothill.mdusd.org
Location: 2775 Cedro Lane, Walnut Creek, CA, USA
Phone: 925-939-8600
Twitter: @FoothillGriffin