Issue 3 Volume 14
March 2013
D
ear Jackson Parents and Community, The second half of the school year has begun. From now until the end of the school year, many events will occur that will help determine the future of many of our students. The importance of daily academic performance during the remaining weeks and months cannot be over emphasized. As we move forward this fourth nine weeks, much of our focus is on preparing our students for the next level. One test is in the books and that was the FCAT Writes which was administered on February 28th. All 8th grade students participated in this test, while all 6th and 7th grade students also joined in a mock FCAT Writes test so that we could continue to gather data over the three years that our students attend Jackson. The FCAT
A Message from Mr. Ruiz
dates have been released for this year, following the same time frame as last year. The FCAT reading and math tests will be given to all students during the FCAT window of April 15th – 26th. 6th and 7th graders will take the reading portion of the test on the computer. Seventh graders will be tested in reading during the first week of the testing window, with the sixth graders following the week after. Also, during this time, all 8th graders will take the FCAT science test. It is extremely important for all students to get a good night’s rest the night before their tests and eat a good breakfast the morning of their tests. Since students will also be testing after lunch, we will continue to do our part and make sure all students eat lunch, as we do now. We will also provide a snack for all students during their testing time. Although FCAT is one test on one day, so to speak, it is the indicator that the State of Florida and the Federal Government use to determine our overall success as a school. We are confident that through your child’s classes, they have learned the Sunshine State Standards that are being assessed on the new FCAT 2.0. Therefore,
JAG WIRE
our FCAT scores and our school grade will continue to prove our accomplishments. This year’s FCAT test will look as it did last year. There will continue to be more of a focus on higher level thinking skills and technical reading. Teachers have been doing a fantastic job of teaching students within these new parameters and students are learning the analytical skills that will prepare them for the 21st Century workplace. There will be a major change in the testing schedule on Wednesday, April 17th ,where students will remain in school until 4:00 in order for all students to have ample time to complete the FCAT Reading sessions. There will be no early Wednesday dismissal on this day. Early Wednesday dismissal will resume the following week, April 24th. Please note this change from our original communication with students and parents: OCPS has determined that ALL students will take their grade level FCAT. Earlier in the year, it was believed that students in algebra and geometry would only take their End Of Course exam (EOC). That decision has been reversed, and ...Continues on next page
Where Every Student, Every Day Strives For Success
Principal.............................Eddie Ruiz Assistant Principals...........Rojina Durant Mabel Rios 6th Grade Dean.................Danielle Alchin 7th Grade Dean.................Michael Wilson 8th Grade Dean.................Kenneth Kuczer School Hours Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Wednesday 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. School Phone Numbers Phone: (407) 249-6430 Fax: (407) 249-6438 Website: www.stonewalljackson.ocps.net