Thank you third grade

I have to admit that I have been busy and have neglected my ECS blog. Today I had 47 comments from ECS third grade students, who told me how their school year was going so far. Thank you third graders for reminding me what a wonderful school we have at ECS! As you talked about your amazing teachers, all the activities you participate in, what you are learning in class, how thankful you are for your school, and how much you enjoy your friends I was impressed again by the academic and extra-curricular opportunities students have at Evansville Christian School. Your comments made my day!

Recently I was reading about the importance of building a culture of leadership within our students. The "7 Habits" in kids' language look like this:

Habit 1, Be Proactive: I am a responsible person; I take initiative; I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions, and I do the right thing without being asked, even if no one is looking.

Habit 2, Begin with the end in mind: I plan ahead, set goals, and do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my schools' mission and vision.

Habit 3, Put first things first: I spend my time on things that are most important, which means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and achieve my goals. I am disciplined and well-organized.

Habit 4, Think win-win: I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others' emotional bank accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for alternatives. I look for ways to be a good citizen.

Habit 5, Seek first to understand, then to be understood: I listen to other people's ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints, I listen to others without interrupting, I am confident in voicing my ideas, and I look people in the eyes when talking.

Habit 6, Synergize: I value other people's strengths and learn from them. I work well in groups, even with people who are different from me. I seek out other people's ideas to solve problems, because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than any one of us can alone. I am humble.

Habit 7, Sharpen the saw: I take care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with my family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I take time to find meaningful ways to help others.

I see many of these leadership qualities being developed within ECS students at every grade level as a result of incorporating a biblical worldview, teaching good study habits, and implementing effective classroom procedures.

ECS third through eighth grade students will be participating in the third Acuity testing window the weeks of February 15-26 (school is in session on February 15, Presidents' Day as a snow makeup day). The ISTEP Writing Assessment will be during the first week of March.

It's a New School Year!

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! ECS teachers and staff have been diligently preparing for this year, including praying for the students and families that will be part of the ECS Community. Several teachers spent three days in Chicago in July attending a Differentiated Instruction Conference, which will allow teachers to more effectively meet the varying learning needs of students. All teachers worked on academic standards and technology over the summer and look forward to teaching students in the coming year. We anticipate a successful school year as parents, ECS staff, and students work and pray together.

It's not deja vu...it really is ISTEP time again!

The week of April 27 is the second ISTEP window this spring. Students in 3rd - 8th grades will take the Multiple Choice portion of the Spring 2009 ISTEP. All grade levels will take Mathematics and English/Language Arts multiple choice assessments. Grades four and six will also take science multiple choice assessments, and grades five and seven will take social studies multiple choice assessments. The ISTEP will cover all grade level standards for the subjects tested.

Please pray with us that our students will do their best and will confidently complete each test to the best of their ability.

As we look forward to completing another great year at ECS, we are grateful for the teachers, staff, and families that have prayerfully supported our students.

It's ISTEP Time Again!

During the 2008-2009 school year, students in grades three through eight will take the ISTEP test during two testing windows in the spring, in addition to the fall assessment of 2008. The first testing window is coming up soon! The week of March 2nd, all third through eighth grade students will take the Applied Skills Assessment portion that will focus on constructed reponse and extended response to specific standards. In math at all grade levels, test items will focus on problem solving and grade level standards relating to geometry, measurement, computation, and number sense, as well as algebra and functions at the 6th-8th grade levels. In English/Language Arts at all grade levels, students will be assessed on specific grade level standards related to constructed response to a writing prompt. Grades four and six will be tested on specific science standards, and grades five and seven will be assessed on specific social studies standards.

At Evansville Christian School, we use the Indiana Academic Core Content Standards as a guide for curriculum decisions and to drive instruction and assessment in the classroom. The ISTEP assesses student learning on these standards.

We appreciate parent support in preparing students for testing weeks, and student attendance is very important. Also, the prayers of the ECS community on behalf of our students and teachers means so much. The partnership of parents and teachers is such a benefit to ECS students.

Teachers are learners too!

Professional development is very important at Evansville Christian School, since teachers know that student learning and progress is impacted by teacher preparation. Teachers have a lot of student data available to them and careful analysis of this data can help teachers improve instruction for all students. During our professional development session this month, teachers and administrators discussed the "global achievement gap" and how critical thinking and problem solving are survival skills that students need in school and later in the work place. ECS teachers carefully connect professional development to our school goals, focusing on critical thinking skills, technology, and student ownership of their learning. The teaching staff is constantly looking for innovative ways to engage students in learning and to assess students by using a variety of assessment strategies. As a team, we discussed the North Central Association Accreditation Standards #3 on "Teaching and Learning" and #4 on "Documenting and Using Results". By evaluating what we are currently doing well and where we need to improve, the faculty and adminstration focus on being a constantly improving school. We are blessed to have a faculty of professionals who devote their time to study and preparation to be the best teachers they can be, providing excellence in the classrooms at ECS. Thank you ECS teachers!

Welcome to a New Semester and a New Year!

A new year and a new semester offers the opportunity for a fresh start and a renewed commitment to do our very best for Christ in the coming year. ECS welcomes several new students this semester, and we are grateful for each new family. It will be a busy semester with two ISTEP testing sessions this spring and plenty of student activities in the coming months.

Two honor roll breakfasts will be held soon: January 8 at 7:30 a.m. at the North Campus and January 9 at 7:30 a.m. at the East Campus. Report cards will be sent home on Wednesday, January 7th, and students who have earned honor roll either first or second grading period are eligible to attend the breakfast with their family. It is a pleasure to recognize students for their hard work.

Please be in prayer this semester for the students, staff, and families of Evansville Christian School. ECS strives to be an encouragement to the families it serves and to the community.

God bless you in the New Year!

ECS Welcomes International Guests

Students at ECS were thrilled to welcome special visitors to our school this week. A family from China, who work at our sister school in Kabul, Afghanistan, visited classrooms to thank students for supplies ECS students have sent to their school over the past three years. Students also had many questions about life in Afghanistan and what they liked about their first visit to the United States. One second grade class is experiencing China first-hand, as the young son of this family is enjoying an American school and loving it!

December continues to be a time for celebration, as ECS posted outstanding ISTEP scores again this year. Thanks to the teachers, parents, and students for their commitment to excellence!

Merry Christmas!