Roland-Story Newsletter February 2014 | Page 3

ROLAND-STORY COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 7TH GRADE MATH & READING - Mr. Justin Morton Mr. Morton’s Math and Reading classes have been utilizing the technology they have available in class. There are several different programs the students have used throughout the first semester. These programs include, but are not limited to: MobyMax, XtraMath, & Schoology. MobyMax is an online program that automatically assigns students lessons based on the level the student is currently at in that particular subject. In most cases, students will take a placement test when they first start MobyMax in a particular subject area. The placement test helps determine what level the student is at and what lessons need to be taught. Once the student has passed a lesson with 70% accuracy they will move onto the next lesson. If the lesson is not passed it will automatically be re-taught and reassigned for the student to complete. MobyMax allows students to do lessons in Math, Reading, Writing, Language Arts, & Vocabulary. As the students work on lessons they accumulate minutes that can be used to play educational games through MobyMax. This acts as an incentive for students to do lessons on their own. Students can also earn badges and certificates as they complete lessons. Lessons can also be assigned by the teacher to help support what is being taught in class. Each lesson is connected to a Common Core standard that the students are expected to master. XtraMath is basically an online flashcard program. Students are given a set of math facts. They have to complete each problem in a set of facts correctly in 3 seconds or less before moving on to the next set of math facts. Math facts are divided by addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. R-S MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT/ TEACHER CONFERENCES Tuesday, February 11 – Mr. John Sheahan The Roland-Story Middle School will have Parent-Teacher Conferences on Tuesday, February 11 for grades 5-8. Specific information about times and procedures will be sent home prior to this event. Classes will be run at regular time this day. This conference will serve as a progress report with report cards and final grades coming in March. All middle school grades (5-8) will have conferences only with those parents requested to come in to visit about their student's progress. For those parents requested to come to conferences, specific information will be mailed out to you prior to February 11. Again, we will NOT dismiss classes early that day. FEBRUARY, 2014 Schoology is a classroom management program that can be used to take quizzes and tests and to hand in assignments. When a student has completed a quiz or test they are automatically shown the results with the correct answers and the teacher receives a copy of the student’s test. Students can also turn in assignments from their iPads to the online classroom to be corrected and scored by the teacher. As you can see there’s a variety of technology taking place to supplement what is being taught in the classroom. This technology helps to individualize each student’s education and meet the specific needs of each student. -- ATTENTION -The elementary school & middle school will not take parent requests for grade placements. We will work with staff recommendation from the previous teachers for the 2014-2015 year. ROLAND-STORY SWEETHEART BALL COURT Congratulations to the following FCCLA and FFA members on being selected for the 2013-14 Sweetheart Ball Court: Anna Halstead, Sarah Lunn, Tracy Marienau, Cassie Shadlow, Hannah Whipple (Queen), Noah Bartmess, Cole Birchmier, Zach Hovick (King), Tavender Jones, & Thomas Wilgenbusch. KINDERGARTEN SCREENING Elementary Principal Kate Hartzler Kindergarten Screening will be Thursday, March 27 & Friday, March 28, 2014. If you have a child who is 5 or will be 5 before September 15, 2014 you need to attend. Please call the R-S Elementary School office at (515) 733-4386 to get your child’s name on the list. We will verify your address and phone number to send out future information. H.S. PINK OUT NIGHT FUNDRAISER FRI., JANUARY 31st: Come out and join us for a night of family fun during the Roland-Story versus Colfax-Mingo basketball game. HOSA will be serving Chili starting at 5:oo pm, there will also be a raffle drawing, silent auction & half-time entertainment. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. 7th & 8th Grade Band & Vocal Concert Monday, March 3, 2014 7:00 P.M. R-S Middle School, Roland