News from the
Administration
January 2014
Beverly Farms Elementary School, 8501 Postoak Road, Potomac, MD 20854 301.469.1050
Dear Parents,
Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that a year has gone by since we
moved back into a new and improved building. We are fortunate to
have this facility but it is the students who make the building come
alive each day. We appreciate you entrusting your child’s education to
our dedicated staff and look forward to a productive second semester.
Over the next months the staff will administer several state and county
assessments. The second page of this newsletter provides what we
hope is clarification about what students will experience at each grade
level. Please note the last day of this marking period is next Friday, the
17th. The only county mandated parent conferences occur in
November. Teachers keep parents informed about progress however
contact your child’s teacher if you have questions about homework,
projects, etc. In addition, our teachers welcome information from
parents about changes at home or in a child’s behavior. We value a
strong home and school partnership!
Important Dates
Thursday, January 9
Hearing and Vision Screening
Kindergarten & New to MCPS Students
Friday, January 10
Kindergarten Lifecycle Project
Monday, January 13
K-5 Club Pictures
Tuesday, January 14
Weather
Please send your child to school “dressed for the weather”. There are
days that you will know it is too cold for outdoor recess but there are
times we might HAVE to exit the building unexpectedly (i.e. if the fire
alarm sounds).
Car Loop
We appreciate everyone’s cooperation regarding the “no left turn”
protocol during arrival and dismissal. When you send someone to pick
up your child who does not regularly do so, please emphasize the
importance of not attempting to turn left. Sometimes drivers are
unfamiliar with the area so it will help if you explain the option of
turning left on Milburn Avenue and circling around back to Postoak
Road for those wanting to get to Seven Locks Road.
K-5 Class Group Pictures
Wednesday, January 15
Test-3rd Grade Highly Gifted Center Applicants
Friday, January 17
Last Day Marking Period 2
Kindergarten-Dental Hygienist
Monday, January 20
HOLIDAY-No School
Tuesday, January 21
New to Beverly Farms/MCPS
If you recently enrolled a child (ren), welcome to Beverly Farms! If you
are not familiar with how to find out about school delays and closings
please refer to our December newsletter which provides detailed
information. You can also find that same information (in a different
format) on the MCPS website.
PROFESSIONAL DAY-No School for Students
Thursday, January 23
K, 1 and 2 Author Visit
Administration News October 2012
January 2014
Page 2
Kindergarten
Third Grade
Your kindergartener does not take a state
standardized test. Your child’s teacher will
assess him or her in reading throughout the
school year. The assessment is called mClass 3D.
Children also take an online assessment:
Measurement of Academic Progress-Primary
(MAP-P) which is the primary level assessment
in math
If you applied, in December, for your child to go to the
Highly Gifted Center in fourth and fifth grade (at Cold
Spring Elementary) then your child takes a test the
morning of January 15th. The test is administered by a
representative from the Office of Accelerated and
Enriched Instruction. The school is not sent scores.
First Grade
First graders do not take a state standardized
test. Your child’s teacher will assess him or her
in reading throughout the school year. The
assessment is called mClass 3D. Children also
take an online assessment: Measurements of
Academic Progress -Primary (MAP-P) which is
the primary level assessment in math.
Second Grade
Your child’s teacher will assess him or her in reading
throughout the school year. The assessment is
called mClass 3D. Children also take an online
assessment: Measurements of Progress-Primary
(MAP-P) which is the primary level assessment in
math.
All second graders participate in the Student
Instructional Program Planning and Implementation
(SIPPI) process. The information that’s compiled
assists staff in planning for your child’s instruction.
In addition, children might be given the designation
of gifted and talented. Second graders took The
InView test in December. It is one data point. The
tests get sent back to the publisher. The scores are
sent to the school in the spring. You will receive a
Parent Survey, which is part of this data gathering
process, in March. The scores and school
performance will be summarized in a Parent Report
that is distributed in June.
Important Note K-5
These assessments do not equate with or dictate the
grades your child receives on the report card. The
information helps teachers understand areas of
proficiency and need so they can plan appropriately for
instruction.
Third, Fourth and Fifth Grade
The Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) in
Reading and Math are administered at intervals
throughout the year. It is an online test.
If your child is new to MCPS, did not participate in the
SIPPI process in second grade [see box for Second
Grade] or was supposed to be rescreened, parent
permission to take part in the SIPPI process was
solicited in November. The information that’s
gathered for SIPPI assists staff in planning for your
child’s instruction. In addition, children might be
given the designation of gifted and talented. If you
gave permission, your child took the InView test in
December. The tests are sent back to the publisher.
Scores are sent back in the spring. You will be sent a
Parent Survey in March. The scores and school
performance will be summarized in a Parent Report
that is distributed in June.
Students will take the Maryland School Assessment in
Reading and Math in during the weeks of March 3rd
and 10th. Fifth graders also take the MSA in Science
the week of March 31st.
The MSA scores are sent to the school late in the
school year. Parents are mailed the scores (usually
during the summer).
First through Fifth Grade
If your child was found eligible for services as an
“English Speaker of Other Languages” he or she
participates in the state mandated WIDA Access
Placement Test during the next month.
If your child was eligible for ESOL services and you
signed a form declining services the Maryland State
Department of Education requires that a child be
administered the WIDA until he or she passes. This
assessment is meant to be a data point and does not
dictate the rigor of your child’s instructional program.
Beverly Farms: Where the Eagles Soar with Pride