ISTEP+ Update:
ISTEP+ Assessments for students in grades 3-8 begin on February 25th, 2015 and run through March 13th, 2015. This is the Applied Skills portion of the assessment that is being taken through a paper and pencil test.
After receiving considerable negative feedback on the length of the test this year, the legislature, IDOE, and governor Pence have worked to reduce testing times. This has been tricky as the goal is to maintain validity and reliability of the test. Schools have now been assigned to take portions of the test rather than the entire test in order to reduce testing times.
IREAD-3 begins on March 12th and runs through March 18th for all third grade students.
Our final round of ISTEP+ assessments is the online, multiple choice section of the test which will run from April 27-May 15, 2015.
It is important for students to get a good nights sleep, eat a healthy breakfast in the morning, be at school each day, and do their personal best on the test.
PTSC Standouts:
Our BG Choir kids have had another spectacular Solo & Ensemble Contest. Thank you for your encouragement and support to these talented kids. The final results are as follows:
|
BGMS |
Gold |
Silver |
|
Solos |
9 |
2 |
|
5 Ensembles |
24 |
24 |
|
Total Medals |
33 |
26 |
|
BGHS |
Gold |
Silver |
|
Solos |
24 |
4 |
|
7 Ensembles |
106 |
4 |
|
Total Medals |
130 |
8 |
|
BG Medal Grand Total |
163 |
34 |
|
HS STATE Contender Totals |
||
|
Solos |
17 |
|
|
Ensembles |
6 |
|
|
Approximately 50 students qualified |
||
Congratulations to Coach McKay on his 300th career win! What an accomplishment and high level of commitment to our student athletes. We are proud of you!
Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us.
Important Dates:
- Now through February 27, 2015: Complete the YMCA survey!
- February 27, 2015: Empty Bowls at BGHS
- March 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 19, 2015: End of 3rd Quarter
- March 23-27, 2015: Spring Break
- April 6, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- April 15, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- May 25, 2015: Memorial Day, No School
- June 1, 2015: End of Second Semester, Last Day for Students
- June 7, 2015: BGHS Graduation
Things to Know/Do:
- Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
- Have you updated your account information in Instant Alert? Make sure that you have your cell phone number and your email entered so that you will receive the latest updates we send out. You can update your Instant Alert Account here.
- Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
- Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building.
- We are also looking for bus drivers to drive our extra-curricular runs. If you are interested, please apply online. It’s a great way to earn some money and attend extra-curricular events!
PTSC Weekly Update: Highlights Not to Miss!
Posted: February 9, 2015 in and Resource Management, Building Relationships, Communication, Culture of Achievement, Human Capital Management, Instruction, Instructional Leadership, LeadershipTags: empty bowls, ISTEP, Virtual Inclement Weather Day, YMCA
PTSC Weekly Update: Highlights Not to Miss!
- YMCA: The Valparaiso YMCA is looking to expand services to the south Porter County area. They are looking at providing summer programming and have developed a survey to help gauge interest. Check out this link to provide feedback to the YMCA! This is great for our community!
Community Child Care Needs Assessment Survey
- Virtual Inclement Weather Make-up Day: Don’t forget, we will be having virtual make-up days on February 13, 2015 and April 6, 2015.
- ISTEP+ Testing: You may have read about ISTEP+ testing times in the newspaper this weekend. This year we have new standards to assess and the state is also implementing “technology enhanced items” on the test this spring. Both of these items lead to increased testing times–adding up to about 20 hours in grades 3-8 for this spring. This encompasses both the practice tests and the testing sessions for the applied skills and the multiple choice tests. Obviously this is a lot of time spent in testing. These test scores are used to determine if each student is making adequate growth, and to determine a school’s A-F grade (measuring teacher effectiveness). Spending this much time testing is a challenging way to accomplish this goal. What can you do? Reach out to Governor Pence, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz, or your Senator or Representative.
*This just in: Governor Pence has signed an executive order addressing the length of the ISTEP+ assessment. I’m sure more news stories will pop up–but here’s one I found in Google search: Pence Signs Executive Order to Shorten the ISTEP
- Empty Bowls: Watch for more information on the Empty Bowls event which will be held at BGHS to support the Porter Township Food Pantry.
PTSC Standouts:
All of our teachers and administrators did a fantastic job preparing for our first ever inclement weather virtual day! Our students did a great job working on assignments and interacting virtually with their teachers! Great job to parents who emailed me great pictures of their child learning–and for helping other parents who had questions. We learned a lot and will continue to make these days even better. Best of all–we were able to not miss out on the instructional minutes needed at this time of the year!
Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us.
Important Dates:
- February 13, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- February 16, 2015: No School, Presidents Day
- February 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- February 27, 2015: Empty Bowls at BGHS
- March 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 19, 2015: End of 3rd Quarter
- March 23-27, 2015: Spring Break
- April 6, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- April 15, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- May 25, 2015: Memorial Day, No School
- June 1, 2015: End of Second Semester, Last Day for Students
- June 7, 2015: BGHS Graduation
Things to Know/Do:
- Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
- Have you updated your account information in Instant Alert? Make sure that you have your cell phone number and your email entered so that you will receive the latest updates we send out. You can update your Instant Alert Account here.
- Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
- Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building.
- We are also looking for bus drivers to drive our extra-curricular runs. If you are interested, please apply online. It’s a great way to earn some money and attend extra-curricular events!
PTSC Virtual Inclement Weather Day: PTSC Weekly Update
Posted: February 2, 2015 in and Resource Management, Building Relationships, Communication, Culture of Achievement, Human Capital Management, Instruction, Instructional Leadership, LeadershipTags: austin nelson, JV Girls Basketball, virtual inclement weather, wrestling
PTSC Virtual Inclement Weather Day
We are part way through our first virtual, inclement weather day! Here are some pictures that I have received from families working on their online assignments for the day (feel free to email me your photo at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us). Our teachers have worked hard to put out learning targets for the day and have been accessible to teachers and parents. Our technology team has worked hard to handle any questions, concerns, or issues that have popped up during the day. Our administrative team has been poised and handling questions as they have come. Most of all, we are thrilled that an instructional day does not have to be lost due to our crazy winter weather! Having our students safe, warm, and learning makes today a great day!
Don’t forget, we will be having virtual make-up days on February 13, 2015 and April 6, 2015.
PTSC Standouts:
BGHS Girls JV Basketball Team is playing for the PCC Championship on Wednesday, February 4, 2015! Go team!
Austin Nelson placed third at wrestling sectionals and will advance to regionals. Great job, Austin!
Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us.
Important Dates:
- February 13, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- February 16, 2015: No School, Presidents Day
- February 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 19, 2015: End of 3rd Quarter
- March 23-27, 2015: Spring Break
- April 6, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- April 15, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- May 25, 2015: Memorial Day, No School
- June 1, 2015: End of Second Semester, Last Day for Students
- June 7, 2015: BGHS Graduation
Things to Know/Do:
- Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
- Have you updated your account information in Instant Alert? Make sure that you have your cell phone number and your email entered so that you will receive the latest updates we send out. You can update your Instant Alert Account here.
- Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
- Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building.
- We are also looking for bus drivers to drive our extra-curricular runs. If you are interested, please apply online. It’s a great way to earn some money and attend extra-curricular events!
What Great Resources! PTSC Weekly Update
Posted: January 26, 2015 in and Resource Management, Building Relationships, Communication, Culture of Achievement, Human Capital Management, Instruction, Instructional Leadership, LeadershipTags: bowling, dance, food service, PCC
PTSC Food Service Website
Did you know that our PTSC Food Services Department has an awesome website (click above for a direct link)? There is a lot of great information on the website that you will find useful.
- Need to see a menu? It’s there!
- Need to add money to your child’s lunch account? Click the pre-payment option at the top!
- Want to learn more about nutrition? Check out the snack calculators!
- Are nutrition and fitness interests for you? There’s a whole tab on it!
Don’t miss out on the great resources that are ready and waiting for you there–such great information just a click away!
PTSC Standouts:
Congratulations to the BGHS Varsity Dance Team for placing 1st in the PCC. Great job, ladies!
The Boone Grove Girls Bowling team is on a 15 game winning streak! Way to go!
Great job to all of our student athletes, fans, and many volunteers who helped at the PCC tournament. Ms. Schludecker, our amazing Athletic Director, worked very hard to organize a great event for all of the PCC schools–and what a great event it was!
Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us.
Important Dates:
- January 28, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- February 13, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- February 16, 2015: No School, Presidents Day
- February 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 19, 2015: End of 3rd Quarter
- March 23-27, 2015: Spring Break
- April 6, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- April 15, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- May 25, 2015: Memorial Day, No School
- June 1, 2015: End of Second Semester, Last Day for Students
- June 7, 2015: BGHS Graduation
Things to Know/Do:
- Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
- Have you updated your account information in Instant Alert? Make sure that you have your cell phone number and your email entered so that you will receive the latest updates we send out. You can update your Instant Alert Account here.
- Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
- Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building.
- We are also looking for bus drivers to drive our extra-curricular runs. If you are interested, please apply online. It’s a great way to earn some money and attend extra-curricular events!
Virtual Snow Day Make-Up Days: PTSC Weekly Update
Posted: January 19, 2015 in Building Relationships, Communication, Culture of Achievement, Instruction, Instructional Leadership, LeadershipTags: BGHS drama club, cultural fair PLE, snow day make-up days, virtual snow days
Virtual Snow Day Make-Up Days
As was in our PTSC Weekly Update last week and also in letters sent home from your child’s school–we have been working hard to be ready to do Virtual (online) Inclement weather days should we have another day when the weather or conditions are so bad that we cannot have school as we typically have school in our school buildings. We are excited about the possibility of not having to delay instruction because the weather is bad outside or the conditions to dangerous to travel to school.
We have been discussing our snow day make-up dates which are scheduled for February 13, 2015 and April 6, 2015. We have decided to make these Virtual (online) make-up days. This means that school will be in session–but that students will not physically be present in the school building. Teachers will make sure students have their learning activities for the day by 9 am on February 13, 2015 (and April 6, 2015). This will be similar to what we do at BGHS and BGMS for our online learning days each month–only all students K-12 will participate.
Our hope is that the February 13, 2015 date is our first opportunity to have a Virtual (online) day and will give all of us plenty of time to be ready. Watch for more information to come from your school about our first Virtual Make-Up Day! If you have questions, make sure to contact your child’s principal.
PTSC Standouts:
What outstanding projects I saw Friday at the cultural fair at PLE! Great work to all of the third graders on their research!
Congratulations to the cast and crew of “Black Hearts and Bearded Ladies” for their great performances this weekend. In addition to the entertaining production–the cucumber sandwiches were a stroke of genius!
Email PTSC standouts to Dr. Schmidt at stacey.schmidt@ptsc.k12.in.us.
Important Dates:
- January 28, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- February 13, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- February 16, 2015: No School, Presidents Day
- February 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 18, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- March 19, 2015: End of 3rd Quarter
- March 23-27, 2015: Spring Break
- April 6, 2015: VIRTUAL Snow day make-up day
- April 15, 2015: Online Day for BGHS and BGMS
- May 25, 2015: Memorial Day, No School
- June 1, 2015: End of Second Semester, Last Day for Students
- June 7, 2015: BGHS Graduation
Things to Know/Do:
- Now hiring substitute teachers! Please contact Linda Dusek at the administration building if you are interested in substitute teaching and she will help you start the application process and discuss qualifications.
- Have you updated your account information in Instant Alert? Make sure that you have your cell phone number and your email entered so that you will receive the latest updates we send out. You can update your Instant Alert Account here.
- Do your friends and neighbors know how to find our weekly updates? Even if your neighbors don’t have kids in school tell them about our weekly updates so they can hear the great news of what happens at PTSC!
- Every Wednesday is a 30-minute delayed start. If we have a 2-hour delay, students will arrive at school 2 hours after the regular start time for the building.
- We are also looking for bus drivers to drive our extra-curricular runs. If you are interested, please apply online. It’s a great way to earn some money and attend extra-curricular events!
