The weekly newsletter is archived on Elysian's website, www.ecsnj.org, so that you can always access both the most recent newsletter as well as all previous ones.

Harry's Corner

PARCC Results Are Coming

We are expecting the PARCC results for students in last year’s grades 3 to 8 in the next few weeks.  Because there are substantial differences in the way these reports are read, I would like to share some of these changes and some of the expectations with you.

First the test itself.  The children had two testing sessions lasting for a total of up to nine days (lower grades had seven or eight).  The first session was in March, the second in May. It should be noted that for the 2016 test administration there will only be one session, for a week in April or May.  Additionally, the test was administered on computers.  All children’s answers, essays, etc. were written on computer.  In some cases children had to drag items from one place on the computer screen to an answer box.  In others they had to measure with online computer tools and calculate answers in special boxes.    

The PARCC results are divided into five categories, with numerical scores that range between 650 and 850.  The categories are:

• Level 1—Did not yet meet expectations
• Level 2—Partially met expectations
• Level 3—Approached expectations
• Level 4—Met expectations
• Level 5—Exceeded expectations

Levels 4 and 5 are considered by the State to be “College and Career Ready.”

In order to explain the difference in scores between the NJ ASK and PARCC, the Department of Education has made the following points

1. Many students will see lower scores.  For example, statewide, on the NJ ASK 76% of fourth graders were proficient or advanced proficient in math.  On the 2015 PARCC only 41% met or exceeded expectations.   
2. Some of the reasons for these lower scores are
   • The test was given on computers and the effect of that is not known.
   • The tests conform to the Common Core Standards and have set a higher bar than previous tests.
3. The State of New Jersey hopes to use these tests for baseline data for future tests.

The score report will look like this:

The top portion indicates your child score, first as an actual score and secondly along a continuum of scores.  There also is a chart that indicates average scores on that particular test for the school, State and all states in the PARCC coalition.

The bottom portion shows the performance on the individual subtests (called sub-claims).  The arrows indicate Below Expectation, Nearly Meets Expectation and Meets or Exceeds Expectations.

Once we get the results, we will mail them out to each family.  I am preparing a short video that will be placed on our website when we mail out the results.  This will further explain how to read and interpret these scores.

PTSO Corner

Thanks again to Carrie Campbell for her help with Photo Retake Day!  Those packages should be in shortly after our Thanksgiving break.  If you would like to order more pictures, please visit irvinsimon.com or call their customer care at 516-437-4700. 

No Brainer Moneymakers

Shop through our storefront for Shutterfly and sign up for Amazon Smile, iGive and Target and just shop as usual!! It just takes two minutes!!  Pass along to your friends and family too!

•  Shutterfly, TinyPrints and more -  Go to http://elysiancharter.shutterflystorefront.com.  Shop as usual.  No need to sign up, just use this link.  
  
  
• Amazon Smile - http://smile.amazon.com/  Click on ‘change your charity’.  Select Elysian Charter.  Bookmark this address.   Shop as usual. 
  
  
•  iGive -Go to www.iGive.com/ElysianCharter .  Fill out name, Password and email.  Click ‘Register Now’ button, install iGive button.  Shop!  You might have to click on a pop-up screen to verify at certain online stores.
  
  
•  Target -  Go to www.target.com , click on REDcard and then ‘Learn about REDcard’.  Page down to ‘Take Charge of Education’ and click on ‘Learn More’.  Enter information under ‘Sign me up’ and click ‘Enroll’.  

Good News:  Eduardo on Good Morning America

Here is link to Eduardo Hernandez in Ashley’s class on Good Morning America this week. (He dances about 5 minutes in). 

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/gma-40-40-gloria-estefan-life-story-broadway/story?id=35276912

Hoboken Homeless Shelter Paper Drive

Daniel Henson and Henry Plotka from the eighth grade are conducting a paper goods drive for the local homeless shelter. We are asking for paper goods such as paper cups, towels, plates, bowls, plastic forks, knives and spoons. In the downstairs lobby/entrance of the school, there is a box with a sign that says “middle school food drive". The shelter is in need of these items so we encourage you all to donate. Thanks!

Elysian Collects Box Tops and LABELS for Education:  Look for the container near Deb's desk in the office!  Thank you!

Monday, November 30

• Deadline for Basketball registration