Parents, ProgressBook is now up and running. ProgressBook has recently undergone a major transition to their website, but you can now find a link on the DRSS homepage along the left-hand column or on the Parent Page on the website. You can also bookmark the new ProgressBook login URL: https://gb.mdeca.org/parentaccess/
The Parent Registration Key, which you will need in order to log in to ProgressBook, is in the mail and should be arriving in the next couple of days. Once you have your personal registration key, you will be able to log in.
Also for those of you who are new to ProgressBook, there are directions on the Parent Page (http://www.daytonstemschool.org/#!parents-students/c1aoj) for how to set up alerts to go directly to your personal email or cell phone letting you know if you students have missed assignments or if they are falling behind in their classwork. Please follow the instructions for setting this up, as this can be a valuable tool for making sure your son or daughter does not fall behind in his or her classes.
Monday, August 26, 2013
New State Report Card is Out
Hello DRSS parents:
You may have seen in recent news reports that the Ohio Department of Education on Wednesday released the new School Report Cards issuing A-F letter grades in up to nine performance areas. Previously, school Report Cards assessed schools and districts mostly on achievement test results and rated them using descriptors such as "Excellent" or "Academic Watch."
Here is a link to our Dayton Regional STEM School Report Card: http://media.wix.com/ugd/d3564a_500c438bcf44758b7a399d8c2d10bda4.pdf
As you will see, the format is different from previous years and reflects some gaps since we do not yet have the data or because our number of students is too small. A strength that is evident in the report is that we met 100% of the State Indicators. These indicators measure how many students have passed the state standardized tests (OGTs and OAAs). Test results are reported for each student in a grade and subject. At least 75 percent of students must pass to get credit for the indicator. The report also shows areas marked for improvement, particularly Progress, or Value Added, where a grade of F was reported. At this point we are unclear as to the calculation method to assess this grade. We are currently looking into the data utilized, the sample size and the calculation method to gauge our response.
Please know that we remain committed to providing your children - our students - with a rigorous, relevant and meaningful STEM-focused education; and are dedicated to the mission to ensure that they will be well prepared for their pursuits once they graduate from the Dayton Regional STEM School. While report cards, based mainly on state mandated testing, provide one method of evaluating effectiveness, we believe that there are other measures that may more accurately predict the future success of our students.
We will report back to all of our stakeholders once we have a better understanding of the new format of the 2012-2013 School Report Card. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Dr. Jeff Lewis
Principal/CAO
Dayton Regional STEM School
You may have seen in recent news reports that the Ohio Department of Education on Wednesday released the new School Report Cards issuing A-F letter grades in up to nine performance areas. Previously, school Report Cards assessed schools and districts mostly on achievement test results and rated them using descriptors such as "Excellent" or "Academic Watch."
Here is a link to our Dayton Regional STEM School Report Card: http://media.wix.com/ugd/d3564a_500c438bcf44758b7a399d8c2d10bda4.pdf
As you will see, the format is different from previous years and reflects some gaps since we do not yet have the data or because our number of students is too small. A strength that is evident in the report is that we met 100% of the State Indicators. These indicators measure how many students have passed the state standardized tests (OGTs and OAAs). Test results are reported for each student in a grade and subject. At least 75 percent of students must pass to get credit for the indicator. The report also shows areas marked for improvement, particularly Progress, or Value Added, where a grade of F was reported. At this point we are unclear as to the calculation method to assess this grade. We are currently looking into the data utilized, the sample size and the calculation method to gauge our response.
Please know that we remain committed to providing your children - our students - with a rigorous, relevant and meaningful STEM-focused education; and are dedicated to the mission to ensure that they will be well prepared for their pursuits once they graduate from the Dayton Regional STEM School. While report cards, based mainly on state mandated testing, provide one method of evaluating effectiveness, we believe that there are other measures that may more accurately predict the future success of our students.
We will report back to all of our stakeholders once we have a better understanding of the new format of the 2012-2013 School Report Card. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Dr. Jeff Lewis
Principal/CAO
Dayton Regional STEM School
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Science Olympiad Parent Meeting
A meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 4th, at 5:00pm in the school cafeteria for the purposes of sharing information about the upcoming season, tournament dates, and finding any interested parents who might wish to coach an event. Please contact Steve Anticoli (steve.anticoli@wright.edu) for more information.
First LEGO League Robotics Parent Meeting
A meeting is scheduled for August 28th at 5:00pm in the school cafeteria. The agenda will include sharing information about teams and the upcoming season. The meeting is open to all middle school FLL participants. Please contact Steve Anticoli (steve.anticoli@wright.edu) for more information.
Science fair prep is beginning this week!
The Dayton Regional STEM School district Science Fair has been scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2014 (9am-2pm). Students are starting to identify research topics this week! If you are interested in participating, please see Ms. Cook (kate.cook@wright.edu) or Mr. Bottelier (philip.bottelier@wright.edu) for more information. The Science Fair is open to all DRSS students.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Senior Photos + Baby Pictures - Important!
Just a quick heads up for Seniors from Mrs. McDaniel:
ALL seniors need to bring two printed baby photos to Mrs. McDaniel for the senior section of the yearbook by Monday, August 26th. If you have digital copies, please bring them on a flash drive.
Your senior portraits can now be viewed on the BetterImages website. Follow the instructions:
1. Visit www.betterimagesonline.com
2. Click on "view your portraits" at the boom of the screen.
3. Select the EVENT icon
4. Choose the DRSS icon and all of the head shots will be in this file.
5. The access code to view the images is senior2014
6. From here, you can select which image you would like to have on the composite. You also have the option to purchase a school photo package from these images.
Please let Mrs. McDaniel know if you have any questions! jade.mcdaniel@wright.edu
ALL seniors need to bring two printed baby photos to Mrs. McDaniel for the senior section of the yearbook by Monday, August 26th. If you have digital copies, please bring them on a flash drive.
Your senior portraits can now be viewed on the BetterImages website. Follow the instructions:
1. Visit www.betterimagesonline.com
2. Click on "view your portraits" at the boom of the screen.
3. Select the EVENT icon
4. Choose the DRSS icon and all of the head shots will be in this file.
5. The access code to view the images is senior2014
6. From here, you can select which image you would like to have on the composite. You also have the option to purchase a school photo package from these images.
Please let Mrs. McDaniel know if you have any questions! jade.mcdaniel@wright.edu
Friday, August 16, 2013
First Week of School Letter from Dr. Lewis
Dear DRSS Parents,
With all of the additions and upgrades to our physical building and with major changes to our administrative staff, we have adapted. It has been an excellent beginning to the 2013-14 school year. Our students are sensational!! Our intent is to continually improve our website and methods of promoting students, groups and school with the media while keeping parents informed, as well. Please note there is an Open House from 5:00-7:00 on August 29 and the first Town Hall meeting is slated for 5:00 p.m. on September 19.
I would like to share some thoughts and suggestions regarding student drop-off and pick-up and after school supervision:
* morning drop-off - before 7:50, parents will only be able to drop students at the designated driveway situated just south of the main entrance. Buses will have total access to the driveway in front of the main entrance. During that time, cars entering from the south will be stopped at the stop sign; cars at the central entrance will have priority and will be directed to the drop-off area. Cars may leave from the south or north exits at that time. After 7:50, cars from the south will be using the drop-off area directly in front of the main entrance and will also exit at the south cut to Woodman. Those entering at the middle entrance will drop off students at the designated car location and exit from the north cut to Woodman.
* afternoon pick-up - school dismisses at 3:15. My suggestion is that when parents can wait until 3:30-3:40, the lot will be less congested, and the flow in and out of the lot should be much smoother. After the buses have left (at about 3:25) both lanes can be used for pick up.
For both morning and afternoon, we will paint crossing areas (in front of the high school entrance) and on the curve for car drop-off/pick-up. It is essential that students coming into school in the morning or locating a car in the afternoon use those marked walks. Parents are thanked for adapting to this new system. It has flowed more smoothly throughout the week, even with the Woodman construction.
* after-school - we will have supervision until 5 p.m. It is important that students are picked up by 5.
* Currently, we are short-handed in terms of supervision. That will change. We remind parents that once students have left the premises, they will not be allowed back into the school. When the weather is good, we will have groups in the area south of the school and in the cafeteria. We ask parents to contact students via cellphones when they are arriving. Otherwise, there are countless P.A. notices indicating parents have arrived.
2013-14 has the marking for a banner year; we look forward to sharing the accomplishments and direction of DRSS with you while growing through your thoughts, as well.
Dr. Jeff Lewis, Chief Academic Officer/Principal
With all of the additions and upgrades to our physical building and with major changes to our administrative staff, we have adapted. It has been an excellent beginning to the 2013-14 school year. Our students are sensational!! Our intent is to continually improve our website and methods of promoting students, groups and school with the media while keeping parents informed, as well. Please note there is an Open House from 5:00-7:00 on August 29 and the first Town Hall meeting is slated for 5:00 p.m. on September 19.
I would like to share some thoughts and suggestions regarding student drop-off and pick-up and after school supervision:
* morning drop-off - before 7:50, parents will only be able to drop students at the designated driveway situated just south of the main entrance. Buses will have total access to the driveway in front of the main entrance. During that time, cars entering from the south will be stopped at the stop sign; cars at the central entrance will have priority and will be directed to the drop-off area. Cars may leave from the south or north exits at that time. After 7:50, cars from the south will be using the drop-off area directly in front of the main entrance and will also exit at the south cut to Woodman. Those entering at the middle entrance will drop off students at the designated car location and exit from the north cut to Woodman.
* afternoon pick-up - school dismisses at 3:15. My suggestion is that when parents can wait until 3:30-3:40, the lot will be less congested, and the flow in and out of the lot should be much smoother. After the buses have left (at about 3:25) both lanes can be used for pick up.
For both morning and afternoon, we will paint crossing areas (in front of the high school entrance) and on the curve for car drop-off/pick-up. It is essential that students coming into school in the morning or locating a car in the afternoon use those marked walks. Parents are thanked for adapting to this new system. It has flowed more smoothly throughout the week, even with the Woodman construction.
* after-school - we will have supervision until 5 p.m. It is important that students are picked up by 5.
* Currently, we are short-handed in terms of supervision. That will change. We remind parents that once students have left the premises, they will not be allowed back into the school. When the weather is good, we will have groups in the area south of the school and in the cafeteria. We ask parents to contact students via cellphones when they are arriving. Otherwise, there are countless P.A. notices indicating parents have arrived.
2013-14 has the marking for a banner year; we look forward to sharing the accomplishments and direction of DRSS with you while growing through your thoughts, as well.
Dr. Jeff Lewis, Chief Academic Officer/Principal
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Join Muse Machine now!!!
We have a lot going on for Muse Machine! Our Kickoff meeting will be August 28 from 3:30 to 5 in Ms. Montgomery's room. Go check out our website for all the details: https://sites.google.com/site/stemmuse/ There will be refreshments served!
FTC Robotics Meeting
Parents and students, there will be an FTC Robotics Parent Meeting at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, August 20th, here at the school. Please email Steve Anticoli at Steve.anticoli@wright.edu if you have any questions.
Monday, August 12, 2013
New Parking Lot Layout- Please Read!
Please familiarize yourself with the new Parking Lot Layout before Wednesday, which can be found on our homepage at www.daytonstemschool.org!
Please make sure you understand how to get in and out of the parking
lot for student drop-off and where to park if you are a student driving
his or her own vehicle. Please don't drive down the bus drop-off if you
are not a bus!
Picture Day is Wednesday, August 21st!
Picture day will be on Wednesday, August 21st. Teachers will have forms for students to fill out if you wish to order prints of your son or daughter's photos. We are using Better Images Portrait Studio this year, whose website can be found at http://www.betterimagesonline.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)