Common Core Standards

Common Core Standards...what does it all mean?

Many of you have probably heard about the new push to change from California State Standards to the national Common Core State Standards.  What does the all mean to you and your student?  Other states are ahead of the game with the adoption of Common Core state standards, and they have quite a few resources in regards to these new standards.  I found a great website from the New York City Department of Education that provides "Parent Roadmaps" that explain what Common Core Standards mean to students and families.  Here is the link:  CLICK HERE  This site has links to Common Core Parent Roadmaps for grades K-8.  

In addition to Parent Roadmaps, did you know that students will no longer be taking the STAR test?  While the STAR test will be going away, it will be replaced by a new testing system called "Smarter Balance."  These tests will be online assessments of students from 3rd through the 11th grade.  The Smarter Balanced website has links to sample test questions that are aligned to the common core.  These test questions are significantly different from STAR testing in that students will be answering free response questions, explaining their thinking, and answering questions at a much higher level of thinking.  The links to the Smarter Balanced sample questions are here:  MATH SAMPLES and ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS SAMPLES .

Common Core is coming, how will you support your student?

First Kode Kidz Meeting

Kode Kidz Meeting A Success

We are so excited that our first Computer Club, now called Kode Kidz, was a success.  Over 40 students showed up, chose a club name, and started talking about what their first projects would be.  Students will be starting by learning to code using "Scratch" a coding language developed by MIT to teach elementary students to code.  We are so happy with the interest, and welcome any volunteers who want to continue to make the club a success.  Thanks to our Tech Specialist Young Chon, and our fearless volunteer Rick Hightower for helping us get our club started.  Who knows...we may have the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates in our midst.  A webpage has been developed and can be found at http://bit.ly/mohrcc.  Please visit that website for further information about how to get involved, and for the at home projects assigned from our first meeting.  

Mohr E. Computer Club

Mohr Computer Club Starting

After watching an inspirational video about computer programming (see video HERE), and being contacted by one of our wonderful parent volunteers, Mohr Elementary School has decided to start the Mohr E. Computer Club (MECC).  This club is available to 4th and 5th grade students who are interested in computer science, computer programming, and learning how the world of computers works.  Our world is becoming a place where our students need the 21st century skills that will help them become successful in the industries of the future.  As such, our computer club will benefit from the knowledge and teaching of our tech specialist, Young Chon, and our parent volunteer, Rick Hightower.  The first meeting of this club is on Wednesday April 24th, and parents are invited to our first meeting to learn more.  Students will begin learning how to program and how a computer works.  This club will be helping us to build capacity in our students to become the leaders of tomorrow!  Our club will focus on teamwork and student to student mentoring.  Encourage your student to come on the 24th at 3pm.  CLICK HERE for a link to our flyer.

Talent Show

Third Annual Talent Show on Friday April 26th

Thanks again to our Mohr Elementary School PTA for putting on our annual talent show.  We are so excited that we will get to enjoy an evening of talent and entertainment from our very own Mohr Elementary School students.  Come see our students sing, dance, play instruments, perform magic, and much more.  Special thanks goes out to Laurie Yoon-Park for coordinating our talent show for the 3rd year in a row.  We look forward to seeing you at 7:00-8:30pm in the MPR right here in our very own MPR.  

STAR Testing

STAR Testing Schedule

We have already come to the part of the year when state testing is upon us.  Students and teachers are hard at work making sure that they cover all the materials that students need in order to be prepared for the STAR test.  I wanted to share our STAR testing schedule with you so that you can make sure that your student is prepared and ready to go.  STAR testing is as follows: 

2nd Grade:  Monday May 6th                            3rd Grade:  Tuesday May 7th

                   Tuesday May 7th                                               Thursday May 9th

                   Thursday May 9th                                              Friday May 10th

                   Monday May 13th                                             Tuesday May 14th

                   Tuesday May 14th                                             Thursday May 16th

                   Thursday May 16th                                            Friday May 17th

4th Grade:  Tuesday May 7th                             5th Grade:  Monday May 13th

                  Friday May 10th                                                Tuesday May 14th

                  Monday May 13th                                             Thursday May 16th

                  Tuesday May 14th                                             Friday May 17th

                                                                                           Monday May 20th

                                                                                           Tuesday May 21st

During the days of star testing, students will  participate in tests that will take only a portion of each of these days.  It is important on the days that your student is tested that they come to school well rested, and that they have a healthy breakfast.  We ask that on these days that parents make sure that no appointments are scheduled so that we can avoid having to pull students out of class to complete the test.  If you have any specific questions about STAR testing, please feel free to contact me.  Thanks for your help!

Parent Input Form

Parent Input Form

It's hard to believe that our school year is already winding down. In early May we will be working on tentative placement of students for next year. A great deal of thought goes into this placement, including such facts as ability, personality, past history of combination classes, learning style, balance of boys and girls, discipline problems, etc. WE DO NOT ACCEPT REQUESTS FOR SPECIFIC TEACHERS. All forms requesting a specific teacher will be discarded. However, if you feel there is something about your child the school should consider when doing placements, please fill out this form and submit it by May 7, 2013. Teacher and grade assignments have not yet occurred. This form can be filled out ONLINE by visiting the following link: CLICK HERE.

Fun Run

Mohr Elementary Fun Run a HUGE SUCCESS

Thanks to an army of volunteers, and to the coordinators of Mohr Elementary's first annual Fun Run, our students and parents successfully raised over $47,000 to replace the computers in our computer lab.  I am so excited to announce that because of this single fundraiser we will now have a fully functioning computer lab.  Several families at Mohr also donated the FULL AMOUNT towards purchasing a new computer.  A huge thank you goes out to Pam Jetter and Karen Boswell who organized this event, and to all of our corporate sponsors who provided t-shirts, prizes and water bottles for each of our students.  It is now VERY important that students who collected pledges get out there and collect the actual donation from the people who pledged money.  The money is due this Wednesday, April 23rd.  Again, Thanks for your support!