From Mrs. Banas
Apr 13th
Dear Second Grade Parents,
This spring, all District 112 second grade students will participate in a pilot assessment of MAP testing in reading and math. MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is a computerized assessment that provides educators with information that can help them improve teaching and learning. The tests adapt to each student’s ability, measuring what a child knows and needs to learn. MAP also measures student academic growth over time, independent of grade level or age. The tests are used to identify skills and concepts individual students have learned and diagnose instructional needs in order to make data-driven decisions related to instructional planning and learning.
One of the benefits of the MAP assessment is that the test adjusts to match the skill level of each student, allowing the child to achieve success and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. Since the test is not timed, each student will be able to work at his or her own pace. When taking a MAP test, the difficulty of each question is based on how well a student answers the previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. In an optimal test, a student answers approximately half the items correctly and half incorrectly. The final score is an estimate of the student’s achievement level. Although the tests are not timed, students generally require approximately one hour to complete each MAP test. MAP for primary grades tests take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete.
Currently all district third through eighth grade students are assessed using this tool three times per year (Fall, Winter, Spring). Our second graders will participate for the first time this spring, during the testing window of May 14-25. The teachers will be introducing the computer format to the students prior to their first test session, and will monitor their testing closely.
Second grade parents are invited to an information evening for parents only at 7:00 p.m. before the April 19th PTA meeting. We will meet in the Red Oak computer lab. At that time parents will have an opportunity to try out the tests for themselves. Please call the school office at 224-765-3750 if you are interested in attending so that we can set up the required number of computers. Thank you.
MAP testing is a powerful tool for measuring a student’s learning over time and for developing instruction that meets the learning needs of our students. The brochure, “A Parent’s Guide to MAP”, is also included to provide you with further information.
With regards,
Jeanne Banas
Principal
Month Of Military Child
Apr 12th
Everyone across the state is encouraged to wear purple on Friday as a visible way to show support and thanks to military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue. Operation Military Kids hope that everyone will take this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate these young heroes.
Dear Families, Relatives, and Friends of Red Oak School,
The month of April is recognized across the United States as the Month of the Military Child. More than eighty Red Oak School children have parents currently serving in our military forces. Red Oak will take this opportunity to recognize these students and their families. We also want to pay tribute to the extended family members of our entire school community who are currently serving, or have served, in any of the branches of our Armed Forces.
Please join us for a celebration to honor our military on
Monday, April 30th, at 1:00 p.m. in the school gymnasium. We look forward to sharing the afternoon with our Red Oak heroes!
Sincerely,
The Red Oak Staff
Author Visit – Super Star Sarah Weeks
Apr 12th
Art Volunteers Needed
Apr 10th
Hello Red Oak Families,
The Art Room is looking for a few parent volunteers to come in this week and possibly next week to help with a school-wide project.
If you are available, please let me know what days and times work for you. I will try my best to schedule you during your child’s Art time, but it may be difficult to accommodate all requests.
Thank you for generously sharing your time!
Melinda Donelan
Red Oak Rocks
Apr 8th
Is It Time For Math?
Apr 5th
It only took a matter of seconds for students to learn 
their way around a clock.
The term “face time” has taken on a whole new meaning! Students have been working together with mini clocks to “tell” each other the time. We’ve learned how many seconds are in a minute, how many minutes are in an hour and that there is never enough of either of them. We have worked on learning to read the clock in order to tell time to 5 minutes, the quarter hour, and as minutes before the hour. At the risk of overusing words, and due to the ticking away, that’s all the time we have to tell you about math.
Rocket Rally: Books Are Full Of Magic Words
Mar 9th
Each class at Red Oak School was given the challenge to earn 50 respect rockets. In doing so, we earned the privilege of getting to see “The Great Scott” who put on a magic show called ”Books Are Full Of Magic Words!” He taught us that books truly are magical and learning something new out of a book is as easy as pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
Art Update
Mar 3rd
Super Skype With Wayne Thomas
Feb 24th
2 – ◊ and all Red Oak second graders had the unique opportunity to Skype with another school in our district. In partnership with Wayne Thomas, our two schools read and reviewed books from the Monarch Award book list.
Excited To Begin!
Each class worked in groups to read and review books using specific criteria. Groups then presented their information to each other via Skype in our respective libraries. A HUGE thank you to Mrs. Strong for coordinating this for us! The students had a blast!
"Shark VS. Train"
Our class divided into 3 groups and each read a book from the Monarch Award book list. The groups worked together to write down the main ideas, setting, characters, problem and solution before they wrote and explained their review.
"Grace For President"
Each group had the opportunity to then present their reviews to the other school via Skype.
"Memoirs Of A Goldfish"
2-Diamond students were excellent audience members and their presentations were fantastic.
Wayne Thomas Second Graders Ben and Derek
I am so proud of our 2-Diamond Monarch book reviewers!
