Getting Ready for ISAT Testing

During the week of February 28th- March 4th, most 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders at Longfellow School will be taking the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT). This can be a stressful time for many students. Here is some general advice and 5 quick tips to make the experience a little easier and to help your child be as successful as possible:
Make sure your child is ready. Your child needs to be well-rested and well-fed when test time arrives. She also needs to be mentally prepared. Be sensitive to your child's anxiety. Talking about the test may cause her stress which will negatively affect her results. Instead, think of ways to diffuse the anxiety. Take a brisk walk, plan a game of tag football, or suggest a long, hot bath. And, because ISAT testing goes on for an entire week, build in physical activity and downtime throughout the test-taking period.
5 Simple Tips for a more successful week:
1. Make sure that your child is in school during the testing sessions. Do not plan any doctor or dental appointments on test dates.
2. Encourage your child to listen carefully to all test-taking directions given by the teacher and to ask questions about any directions that are unclear.
3. See that your child gets his/her regular amount of sleep before the tests and is well-rested.
4. Make sure that your child eats his/her usual breakfast on the day of the test. Hunger can detract from a good test performance.
5. Encourage your child to do his/her best.
During the week of ISAT testing, students will continue to have their special area classes (Art, Music, Spanish, PE). There will be no homework during the week of ISATs. If possible, plan fun and relaxing activities for home time during that week.

Change in Last Day of School

PLEASE NOTE! DUE TO THE SNOW DAYS, THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL HAS BEEN CHANGED FROM FRIDAY, JUNE 4TH TO TUESDAY, JUNE 8TH. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS! More information about end of the year activities will follow at a later date.

Valentine's Day

We will be having a small celebration in our classroom for Valentine's Day during the last hour of the day on Monday. IF you wish to send valentine's with you child, you may feel free to do so. A list of names went home with students Friday afternoon, attached to the newsletter. I will have treats for everyone, but if your child would like to bring a treat to share, that's fine too!