Dear Parents,February 17, 2017

As you know, spring is in the approaching, which brings our annual testing for students in grades 3-5. Students across the state will be testing with the Georgia Milestones End of Grade Test. I have attached a handout of information from the Georgia Department of Education, for your reference. Below, I have included our testing schedule, along with ways in which you can support your student, so that s/he can experience great success this year. This information is also linked to our school website, which you may access at cve.walkerschools.org . You will find this link located in the middle of our page, under “All News.” *Additionally, I have attached a Parent Q & A Guide, along with Grade Level Study Guides, provided by the Georgia Department of Education.

Please note that the state law regarding promotion/retention will again be implemented in 2017 across Georgia. In order to be promoted, students in 3rd grade must demonstrate on-grade level reading ability on the Georgia Milestones. Students in 5th grade must demonstrate on-grade ability in Reading, as well as in Math. *Students in grades 3 and 5, who do not perform on grade level in the areas of Reading and/or Math, will retest in May.

Students in grades 3-5 will all be testing online this year. Third and Fourth graders will test for 3 days, in the areas of ELA and Math. Fifth grade students will test in the areas of ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies (which will be completed over 5 days of testing)

I wanted to make you aware of our testing schedule for 2017, so that you can help us as we prepare our students. The state test will be administered to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.

Georgia Milestones End of Grade Testing Dates:

Tuesday, April 18- English/Language Arts (Sections 1 & 2) *Grades 3-5

Wednesday, April 19- English/Language Arts (Section 3- Essay portion) *Grades 3-5

Thursday, April 20- Math *Grades 3-5

Tuesday, April 25- Science *5th graders only

Wednesday, April 26- Social Studies *5th graders only

Retest Dates (for 3rd & 5th grade students who did not achieve required score/s): May (Retest Date TBA)

As always, you can assist your child by ensuring that:

  • s/he gets plenty of rest during the testing weeks.
  • s/he eats a healthy breakfast either at home or at school.
  • s/he is present and punctual each day of testing. We will begin at 8:00 a.m.
  • s/he feels confident and encouraged that the tests are a positive measure to show what each child has learned.

We appreciate your continued support of our school and the learning of your children. We are so fortunate to have a dedicated, caring school community of parents, teachers, staff, and students! We are confident that all of our Chattanooga Valley Elementary students, grades 3-5, will perform to their best abilities on these upcoming tests.

Sincerely,

Heather Culberson, Principal Tracy Llewellyn, Assistant Principal

Zel Haag, Parent Involvement Coordinator

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*I have taken the time to read the attached information, which pertains to my child, ______.

(Student’s Name)

______

(Parent’s Signature)(Date)

______

(Student’s Teacher)

~Please detach this portion and return to school. Your child will receive a small treat for returning this completed note.

Thanks so much for your continued help!