Seattle Times is partnering with McDonald and Queen Anne Elementary, providing all students access to the daily newspaper, electronically - click here. Students with a desktop, laptop or ipad can read the entire newspaper and send articles to friends and family. Click here to read, "100 Ways to to Use the Newspaper" - all the ideas were intended for e-newspaper subscribers.

Queen Anne and McDonald Elementary students will need to login using the name: qae_mcd and password: student. 

Enjoy the newspaper as a family - there is something there for everybody!   

Dear Family,

At Seattle Public Schools, our commitment is that every student will receive an excellent education. Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is one of the tools that supports our teachers as they work with each student. From mid-September to mid-October, Kindergarten – 9th grade students took the MAP assessment in the areas of reading and math.  Students enrolled in extra support classes in 10th – 12th grade also participated in the assessment in the subject area in which they receive support.

Seattle Public Schools uses a variety of tools to monitor academic growth. Some of these tools include daily assignments, grades, observations and tests. There is no single test that provides a complete picture of a student’s knowledge and skills.  A collection of different information can provide the clearest picture of student performance.

MAP scores, along with other assessments, are used to:

• Provide teachers with information to improve student learning
• Monitor academic growth and consistently track progress over time
• Inform students, teachers and families
• Make data-driven decisions about instruction
• Predict performance on state tests such as the Measure of Student Progress(MSP) and the High School Proficiency Exam(HSPE)

Student scores are now available on The Source. This report summarizes his/her results and compares your student’s performance to other students across the nation (percentiles). Information on how your student performed on each strand is also included. Please contact your student’s teacher if you have questions about these scores.  He/she will be able to provide you with additional information about overall progress based on a variety of assessments and speak to how your student performs in specific skill areas.

For more information on the MAP assessment, click here.

Sincerely,


Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Seattle Public Schools

Has your child come home without a jacket? There is a huge selection of jackets, shirts and boots in our lost and found. Click here to see our collection of items. Feel free to come in and take what's yours - we are in need of hangers!

As I bring a wonderful weekend to a close, I wanted to end with a quick entry.  Madeline and I are a solo team, while Daddy Drew travels next week to Alaska. His company, Holland America Line, keeps him constantly visiting their number one product. 

Next week begins our Primary MAP assessments for grades K-2. We have a volunteer schedule in play that will give a great deal of support to all of our students, creating a stress free environment and provide comfort that will only guarantee our success! I am excited about so much!

Posted on the home page is a QAE/MCD survey that I would like everyone's input. Please encourage your child to participate and share their opinons - parents are invited to participate! Take a minute. 


Good night. 

It is both school's plan that each child be comforted as much as needed during the MAP assessment. The lab will have  adult support during next week to make that possible. The data from MAP will give teachers (and librarians!) an idea of students' abilities so that they can provide appropriate instruction. Click here to download a letter from Seattle Public Schools that highlights many aspects of the assessments and hopefully answers any questions you may have.

Tomorrow all primary students will be introduced to the computer lab located in the library. Students will have the opportunity to practice taking the MAP assessment. I am suggesting  that they attempt this "practice test" at home with your support prior to taking the actual assessment, or even tomorrow's practice. (Forgive me for not getting this to you sooner.). Please emphasize that some problems may be difficult and that they should not worry about wrong answers Click on the link below to begin the practice assessment for primary students.

MAP Assessment for Primary Grades

Please email or call me if you have any problems, questions or concerns.

Jeffrey  (AKA - Mr. Jeffrey)
[email protected]
206 252 5947

I expected the first post to the Queen Anne/McDonald Library Blog to be written a little while ago, but we all know about the the past few weeks have not been the easiest, but what fun!  FIRST - I love this school - the students, the parents and my friends, the teachers! Today, teachers (whenever I mention teachers, please know that I am referring to EVERYONE apart of QAE/MCD - we're all teachers) were trained on Weebly, a web content manager that will be used to create classroom websites. During the training I shared with David that this is the first time in my 18 year teaching career that I delivered technology PD without anyone kicking and screaming. This is a school where everyone values the connections we make to our community. There are no closed doors, everyone is welcome, NO support is refused.  This is the start of a long and exciting journey. Each of us is  committed to building a great school where each child is valued for their unique talents and abilities. Our goal is to provide rich experiences and exciting opportunities. This school, for 21st Century Learners, will use appropriate tools to enrich the experience, connect classrooms to the community and provide connections around the world. 

I am proud to be the librarian/technology specialist for both schools during the first year. Being housed in the Lincoln building is a dream come true - I am working with the most positive and dedicated teachers, amazing leaders in a space with 30' windows with 10,000 new books! 

My husband, Andrew, and daughter, Madeline, are huge fans of this school! You will see them at most school events, or just hanging out in the library after schools or on the weekends. My dream has come true to watch my daughter feel at home in her daddy's library and having the perk of taking home any book she'd like, without checking it out! 

This blog will be a collection of thoughts, happenings, learning web sites, suggestions, humorous bits, photos, requests for support and personal thanks (maybe a recipe or craft idea) - my goal is to post at least twice a week. My suggestion would be to click on "Library News in Your Inbox" so that posts go directly to your email. This way you won't miss a beat. Thank you in advance for your comments and support when support is requested.