PTA Newletters
November/December 2004 Newsletter
"SAFE SCHOOLS PROVEN HIGH PRIORITY IN BAKERSFIELD"
The highest priority along with academic success for each student is to ensure a safe school environment. The Bakersfield City School District’s commitment to safety is reflected in the federal grant Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative recently awarded to the BCSD and the Kern High School District. But the partnership goes beyond the school districts and encompasses eight local non-profit agencies, which is unprecedented in Bakersfield. The grant creates a coordinated effort with the Bakersfield City School District, the Kern High School District and the local participating agencies.
You might ask ‘why did the BCSD take the lead in securing the $7.8 in federal funds over the next three years?’ It’s because State budget cuts led to the loss of counselors on many of the school campuses. Violence prevention and school safety are vital to providing our students with the tools and environment they need to succeed in the classroom and life. The grant will fund a network of services to schools participating in the program now coined “Connecting Communities.” The school districts and their partners will tailor programs and services to address six elements:
•Increase school community safety through a multi-agency collaborative effort
•Provide violence, alcohol, and other drug prevention and early intervention services
•Provide additional school and community mental health prevention and intervention services
•Foster healthy child development
•Provide additional educational services and support
•Review and develop safe school policies
By fall 2005, the program will be fully implemented at five elementary schools including Horace Mann, Fremont, Wayside, Longfellow and Hills. The Initiative will also serve Washington and Stiern middle schools and East Bakersfield and Highland high schools.
October 2004 Newsletter
"PARENTS HELP BOLSTER STUDENT SUCCESS"
Results for the 2003-04 Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) program were released this fall by the State. California students in grades 2-11 are tested each year with a standardized achievement test designated by the State Board of Education. The purpose of the STAR program is to help measure how well students are learning basic academic skills. Individual student test results are merged together to prepare grade-level reports by subject area for each school, district, county and state.
After reviewing districtwide scores for the Bakersfield City School District, as well as surrounding school districts, the majority of the schools are making progress. This is good news for the Bakersfield community. Educators are working hard to increase student achievement and should be applauded. However, let’s not forget the parents.
With their help, homework assignments get completed and students get to school on time.
Most schools are meeting the 95% student participation rate required by both the state and federal governments during the spring testing window.
Those of us in education are pleased that parents are helping. Successful academic achievers are created by both educators and parents. However, STAR testing targets will nearly double next year. We have rolled up our sleeves and created new programs, revamped summer school and added more tutoring services in an effort to meet those targets. I am asking parents to join us and roll up their sleeves as well. You might be asking, “What more can I do?” Please let me share the following:
• Understand your child’s STAR results
• If your child is below the proficient level, setup a meeting with your child’s teacher
• Follow the teacher’s recommendations if you are asked to help
• Check to see if your child qualifies for a tutoring program
• Sign up your child for summer school
• Read to your child or have your child read independently each night
If you need additional information on how to interpret your child’s STAR test results, please contact your child’s teacher or school principal.
September 2004 Newsletter
“ALGEBRA FOR TODAY’S STUDENT”
The shift from an industrialized society to the age of information has changed the mathematics that students need to learn. Over 75% of all jobs require proficiency in fundamental algebraic concepts, either as a prerequisite for advance training, or as part of a licensure program. Algebra is now part of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE). The aim is to ensure that all students will have mastered skills needed to do well in the workplace and college.
Importance of algebra:
1. Every time you solve a mathematical problem you are using algebra.
2. After counting, everything else is algebra.
3. Algebra is basic to the real world and the whole of mathematics.
4. Learning abstract reasoning skills that algebra teaches helps students become
better abstract reasoners in general.
5. Good abstract reasoning skills improve a student’s ability to write a coherent
essay. For example, essays require students to shift back and forth between
abstract concepts and specific supporting facts.
6. Algebra followed with a year of geometry nearly doubles students’ chances of going
to college.
7. The study of Algebra I has been described as the fork in the road--a decision point--
where one direction leads to opportunities and the other direction leads to limited
options for education and career choices.
Early introduction and repeated exposure to algebraic concepts allows students to develop greater depth of understanding and proficiency in algebra than they could achieve if the content were reserved for a one-year course.
How parents can help:
1. Encourage student study groups
2. Purchase helpful software
3. Purchase “Algebra Survival Guide.” (The book is written and designed with
teen-agers in mind.) It’s loaded with analogies, metaphors, and hilarious but
educational cartoons that bring algebra to life.
4. Consider a private tutor. (Many tutors charge less if there are two or more
students.)
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