K- 5 New Social Studies Curriculum

Students in grades kindergarten – fifth grade will be experiencing a new Social Studies curriculum this year called Social Studies Alive!  With a hands-on, minds-on approach to learning, students take part in dynamic, engaging lessons that help them understand and participate in their world.  Cooperative interactions allow students to work together while practicing vital social skills.  Students don’t just read a textbook, but participate in activities that help them remember and master key social studies content and standards.

Picture Day is Coming!

Picture day is this Friday, September 27th.  Your child should have been given a picture request and order form.  If you do not have one, please stop in the office or call to request another.  Look sharp!

Referendum Renewal

On September 30th, at 6pm, Superintendent Funk will present information to parents and interested community members about our district's referendum renewal in November.  Please be sure to attend and bring your questions if you have them.  Our meeting will be held in the media center. You won't want to miss this informational meeting.  Bring a friend and be informed.  See you there!

Destination Imagination

 

Destination ImagiNation is an international organization that teaches creativity, teamwork and problem solving to students.  Volunteer managers meet with their team of 3-7 students for several months prior to the competition.  During this time, the team works on critical thinking, creative solutions and collaborative problem solving.  At the tournament, teams showcase their skills as they compete in their chosen challenge of technical, science, fine arts, improvisational, structural or service learning.  In addition, teams are tested to think on their feet, work together, and devise original solutions as they compete in an instant challenge.

Albert Lea has participated in this exciting program for two years.  The responses from student participants speak volumes in support of the program – “exciting, challenging, awesome, made me want to be an engineer”.  And from team managers - “I am amazed at the creativity, maturity, brain power, and ability of our Albert Lea students. Our students are being challenged to rise to new levels of rigor and commitment in academics, creativity and life goals.”

In its first year at Sibley, we were able to sponsor two teams.  That funding is a piece of our PTO's budget and they have again planned to support those teams.  However, we need your continued support to do so by being involved as parents as managers and co-managers.  Last year, although we still had the funding support, Sibley went without any teams due to the short supply and interest for managers at our school. 

Please consider being part of this stimulating opportunity as a team manager or a co-manager.  If you are able to support our students in this way, please contact your principal or Sonya Zieske (sonya.zieske@alschools.org).  You will have a most amazing experience!

Homecoming

It is Homecoming Week in our community and Sibley is taking part as well.  Each day, students are encouraged to participate in the following dress up days to show their school and community spirit.

Monday - Favorite Sports Team Day
Tuesday - Class Color Day (K=Orange, 1st=Blue, 2nd=Green, 3rd=Red, 4th=Black, and 5th=White)
Wednesday - Pajama Day
Thursday - Crazy Hair Day
Friday - Cherry and Blue Day

In addition, we are also planning a short "pep" fest with different high school team captains talking about sportsmanship.  I wonder if the Tiger will show up again?  A couple of year's ago, while I was talking to students, he kidnapped me and told them they wouldn't see me again unless they went to the football game.

At the game, I want to encourage parents to attend with their children.  Continue to help us teach students about being involved in their school and community in a positive way.  Dropping elementary students off unattended is not advised and discouraged.

Remember, all Albert Lea students get into the homecoming game for FREE.  GO TIGERS!!

Making some sense of tests

August 27th marked the release date of state assessment results across the state.  These annual tests, given each spring, are required by state and federal law.  We use them as one tool to help determine a student's progress in meeting expectations on Minnesota state standards for reading, math, and science.  Reading and Math assessments are given to students in grades 3-5, and Science is only given to students in grade 5.  

So how did our school and students do? At Sibley 73.1% of our students were proficient in math, 64.3% in reading, and 60.9% in Science.

When comparing Sibley against the state, the state was 60% proficient in math, 57.6% in reading, and 52.4% in Science.

Yes, Sibley exceeded the proficiency levels on all three assessments when compared to the state.  When  referring to "the state," realize that this is a comparison to ALL students across Minnesota enrolled in grades 3-5 last school year.

Some things to keep in mind when analyzing "end of year," or summative tests.  Take them for what they are worth.  They are not excuses, but facts to recognize when reviewing any school's assessment data in our state.

• 2013 was the first year students took new forms of the reading test based on a much more challenging set of reading standards.
• All three tests are given to our students online.
• The math test in 2012 allowed students to take the test three times and use their highest score.
• This was not the case in 2013 where students were allowed one opportunity in the spring.

Although proficiency results are one way to determine instructional effectiveness, trend data is much more valuable.  Trend data becomes a better way for determining progress, deficiencies needing attention, and validation for growth being made by any school.

In reading since 2009, Sibley shows the following trend in proficiency: 75.4%, 69.7%, 73.5%, 76%, and 64.3%.  

In math since 2009, Sibley shows the following trend in proficiency: 74.2%, 68.5%, 63.4%, 68.2%, and 73.1%.

Did the change in the statewide reading assessment and standards impact things? Yes, and this can be seen statewide.  However, increasing the level of rigor in our standards is a good thing.  Sibley's math trend is certainly something to follow!