Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - May 15th

Dear Westfield,

The halls have been quiet this week with students in grades 3-8 taking standardized tests. Westfield students take the online CTP (Comprehensive Testing Program)  put out by ERB (Educational Records Bureau). The tests include Quantitative Reasoning, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning, Writing Mechanics, Vocabulary, Writing Concepts and Skills, and Reading Comprehension. Third-grade students also take a test assessing Auditory Comprehension. Eighth graders also take the Algebra I assessment. While not all the students are finished, the early results at the grade level are excellent. For our students in Middle School, those who have been with us multiple years have excellent year-over-year score growth. While preparing for the CTPs is not the goal of what we do, having this nationally normed assessment confirm strength-of-program is gratifying. 

Tuesday, our fifth-grade students awarded the last Stars of the Month during the Lower School Gathering. Each Month, our “Stars” are nominated by their classmates. In the nomination process, students write why their friend is deserving. Kindness, problem solving, being an upstander, collaborating, and creativity are all reasons students are nominated. The monthly Stars program complements our SPARK board (currently on hiatus since the art show uses every single bulletin board in the school). SPARK stands for Spirit, Participation, Academics, Respect, and Kindness. Students and adults will decorate a Light Bulb, naming the student and the characteristic they want to call out.  For instance, a student might get a SPARK for academics after they persevered through a challenging new math concept. Another student might get one for Respect when they have acted with integrity in a difficult situation. Kindness is the most common SPARK given. Both programs speak to our Friends School ethos centered on seeing and calling out that of God in every child. 

Preschool 3 students are enjoying starting their mornings outdoors. Some children joyfully burn off excess energy running around the play yard. Others sit on logs, enjoying a few quiet moments as they ease into their day. I am looking forward to the Preschool 3 Art Show. When I am in Rushmore House, I see hints and teasers of what they have been creating. In Preschool 2, we have arranged the space with an eye towards their transition to Preschool 3. Our two-year-olds are ready for more responsibility and a bit more structure to their space, how they use it, and how they care for the materials in the room. Their joy and pride in caring for the classroom and each other are evident when I stop in.

Thank you for sharing your children with us.

Warmly,

Margaret

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In Meeting for Worship: We are singing songs focused on Asian American and Pacific Islander Month and spring. On May 14th, we sang “Mo Li Hua” a traditional Chinese Folk tune, and “In the Garden.” In Monday’s Meeting for Singing, we sang favorites including “Stand By Me” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.”

 The 8th-grade query for May and June is below.

• The months of May and June are focused on joy and celebration. As the school year comes to a close, what have you accomplished that you’re proud of? How have you grown academically and as a person over the school year? 

We have one more 8:30 am Meeting for Worship on June 4th. I hope many parents will want to join us.

Announcements

• The Main Building Art Show will hang through May 23rd. Don’t miss your opportunity to see all the beautiful work.
• May 12- 15th ~ ERB/CTP Standardized Testing Grades 3-8
• May 16th and 30th ~ May's Friday Lunch Bundle dates
• May 19-23 ~ Spirit Week - look for more information in the Weekly Wire
• May 23 ~ Field Day and all-school picnic
• May 30th ~ Preschool 3 and PreK Art Shows
• June 4 ~ Last 8:30 AM Meeting For Worship, join with your children
• June 12 ~ Final Assembly, Last Day of School
• Look for summer reading announcements late next week