The CSAP tests are coming! Will you be ready?

CSAP is the Colorado Student Assessment Program. CSAP scores are one measure used to assess your child’s performance toward state standards. CSAP helps us identify your child’s learning needs so that we can tailor instruction to ensure that every child is reaching the state standards.

When are the CSAP tests given?

Middle/High Schools

Monday, March 8th – *8th Grade and 10th Grade students will take the Science CSAP and will be dismissed for the day at 12:30 p.m. All other students will have a regular school day.
March 9th, 10th, & 11th for grades 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 – all students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
Friday, March 12th is a regular school day.

Elementary School

February 17 -18 – 3rd Grade Reading
March 8 – 18 – 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students will be taking Math, Reading, Writing, and Science Tests at various times throughout the day. The March schedule will be in the JICES March Newsletter sent home the end of February.

In Case of Inclement Weather

Middle/High Schools

If there is a two hour delay, please bring your student to school at 9:45 a.m. This will move dismissal time to 2:30 p.m.
If we miss an entire day, we will make it up on Tuesday, March 16th. Dismissal on Tuesday would be at 12:30 p.m.

Elementary School

If there is a two hour delay, please bring your student to school at 9:45 a.m. Dismissal will be at normal 3:30 time.

How can I help my child prepare for CSAP tests?

• Make sure your child arrives at school on time.
  • Students need to be here prior to 7:45 a.m. for testing to begin on time. Once testing has begun, students who are late must test in a separate classroom for the entire day.
  • Additionally, once CSAP testing has begun, students will not be excused for any reason including doctor’s appointments. This is a required test by law and students must be present during the testing window.
• Make sure your child gets a good rest the night before each test day.
  • Children who are tired are less able to pay attention or to handle the demands of the tests.
• Feed your child a nourishing breakfast on the morning of the test.
  • Hunger can detract from good test performance.
• Make sure your student has a calm, unhurried morning.
  • Get him/her up early enough so that he/she doesn’t have to rush to get to school.
  • Tell your child that you believe that he/she can do well and succeed in school.
  • Offer praise and encouragement for achievement and improvement.
  • Have a positive attitude about the test and encourage your student to do his/her best.

(Tips adapted from the CDE CSAP Guide for Parents) Thank you for your help and support!

CAN YOU HELP?

Would you be willing to donate a box of snacks for the students to have during their breaks during CSAPs? If you are able to donate, here is a list of suggestions.

• Granola Bars – chewy
• Cereal Bars
• Cheese & Crackers
• Pretzels
• Trail Mix (without peanuts)
• Raisins

Because of peanut allergies, please do not include anything that contains peanuts or peanut butter.

All items must be individually wrapped and purchased from a store. We will not be able to accept any homemade items. Please bring all donations to the Middle School, High School or Elementary front offices. Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,

Jane E. Olk
Assessment Coordinator
James Irwin Charter Middle/High School

Nancy Cooper
Assessment Coordinator
James Irwin Charter Elementary School

There will be a mandatory parent meeting for parents of all current 5th and 8th grade students on February 23, 2010.  8th grade parents will meet in the High School Field House at 6:00.  This meeting will go over important information for students entering high school next fall.  8th grade students will be receiving their course selection sheets for next year at the meeting.  The 5th grade parents will meet in the board room at 7:00.  This meeting will go over important information for students entering middle school next fall.

Due to the current weather conditions and the safety of your student, ALL after school activities for James Irwin Charter Schools have been cancelled for this evening, including Sports, Music, Homework Help Club, and Academic Detentions.   Please ensure that your child is picked up at their usual dismissal time.

James Irwin Charter Elementary School student Macaylah LeBlanc, makes the Gazette’s “Great Kids” list for her work to create the ‘Operating Blanket’ program. Read more on the Gazette website: http://www.gazette.com/articles/leblanc-92307-macaylah-nominated.html

Welcome back to school!

STUDENTS: Your first time logging into Infinite Campus, use your student ID number as your username, and your birthdate in the format MMDDYY as your password. Please change your password ASAP.

PARENTS: If you are new to James Irwin or have never created an Infinite Campus account, the front offices will have your Activation Code and activation instructions. Please bring a valid form of identification.

In an effort to make things easier for the variety of families and events that JICS has, we are working to separate events on our calendar into different sub-calendars. Continue reading

The James Irwin library is now offering the Love & Logic series written by Jim and Charles Fay on CD and DVD. This is a Positive parent teaching/training instruction for your family.

This CD & DVD series may be checked out at the James Irwin library located next to the commons in the high school building.

Parents please come prepared to leave your contact information with the librarian. Continue reading

JICS now has ONE easy to remember number: 302-9000.

If you are calling the ES, MS, or HS, you can use this one number to reach our phone system. The previous numbers that you know will still work for a time, but please take a minute to update your planners and address books.

As a commuter school, JICS administrators will decide whether to delay or dismiss early due to bad weather. Visit our weather and emergency information procedures page to learn more.