From Superintendent Andrew Melin, Ph.D. for the week of April 11, 2011:
The ISTEP+ multiple choice exams will be taken on-line by VCS 5th and 8th grader
As stated in last week’s newsletter, the multiple choice portion of the ISTEP+ exam will begin April 25. Something that is different for this spring’s administration of the exam is the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) requiring all 5 th and 8 th graders to take the multiple choice portion of the ISTEP+ exam on-line.
We know our building principals have and/or will communicate this fact through building-level newsletters; however, what may not be acknowledged is the tremendous efforts of our IT department to assure all of our buildings are ready to administer the ISTEP+ exam on-line to our 5 th and 8 th graders.
Taking the ISTEP+ on-line was initially piloted around the state last year with it becoming required this year. It would be fair to anticipate on-line testing becoming required at other grade levels in the future.
The IDOE is providing an on-line ISTEP+ experience for the public at http://learnoas.ctb.com/ISTEP/.
VCS will host a School Messenger (automated phone system) and “Edline” Help Night on April 21 beginning at 6 p.m. in the VHS Auditorium. After a brief presentation, a computer lab will be open for help.
Parents need to bring cell phones for School Messenger and they need to make sure their current cell phone number is on file at their child's school. If uncertain, parents should call the building secretary to verify. If it's not in our school management system, parents need to ask the secretary to have it added.
Also, to access Edline, parents will need their child's Edline account number. If they don't have that, they need to bring a photo ID and their child's report card for verification purposes. The night will run from 6-8 p.m.
VCS News
The April “Viking University” session will be this Thursday, April 14 in the BFMS Auditorium from 6:30-7:30 p.m. The focus of the session will be on current state legislation impacting education. All parents are invited to attend.
VCS Standouts
At the United Way of Porter County’s Annual Dinner in March, the first annual Northwest Indiana Success By 6 “Service to Children Award” in Porter County was given to Donna Battista of Parkview Elementary School. This award recognizes a professional or volunteer who is making a difference in the field of early childhood education. Kaye Frataccia of Ben Franklin Middle School (along with her husband, Ric) were honored with the Dorothy M. Porter Award for Exceptional Volunteer Service, United Way’s highest volunteer award given to an individual who is committed to service above self.
BFMS Principal Chris Fields was named District I Principal of the Year by the Indiana Association of School Principals.
Important Dates:
- April 14 Viking University
- April 19 School Board Meeting
- April 21 School Messenger and “Edline” Help Night
- April 25 ISTEP+ Testing Begins