Friday, March 27, 2015
We ARE Vestaburg!!: State Assessment-MSTEP
We ARE Vestaburg!!: State Assessment-MSTEP: If you have been following local and state politics recently you probably are aware of the many debates regarding the Common Core State Stan...
State Assessment-MSTEP
If you have been following local and state politics recently you probably are aware of the many debates regarding the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). As a result of these debates, there have been many changes in the state assessment that is given tot the children of Michigan and used to rank and measure schools. For the past 44 years students in Michigan have taken the MEAP test each fall, however, this year (2015) that has all changed. This year the students are taking the M-STEP (Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress). This test is a combination of the current state standards and the new Common Core State Standards. Furthermore, the assessment is no longer given in the fall to measure the achievement of the previous school year but rather it is now being given in the Spring to measure the current years growth. Thus, all of our students at VCS and across the state will be completing this assessment during a 6 week window in April and May.
During this testing time students in grades 3-8 will be taking a series of test over Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies that will total approximately 10 hours of testing. Students in the 11th grade will be also be testing in these subject areas and when this is added to the ACT and ACT Work-keys that they took in March they will have tested for a total of 15 hours and 50 minutes. In addition, the assessment will not be like the old MEAP test that was paper and pencil and consisted of multiple choice questions. The new assessment is going to be online and a combination of a computer adaptive section, a classroom activity, and a performance task. The new test will require students to have endurance and perseverance. This assessment is going to be hard and it is going to require students to think and apply what they have learned in new ways. This years results are not going to be used to rank schools but rather to provide us with baseline data to compare to future years.
We at Vestaburg have and continue to work hard to prepare our students for these assessments through practice tests, interventions, and our daily curriculum this is going to be a new experience for all of our students, as well as, all of the students across the state of Michigan. Thus, we are asking our parents and community to encourage our students to work hard and to give their best effort. Encourage them to persevere and to not get frustrated and to not give up. Lastly, we will be holding our last Parent Update Meeting in April for any parent or community member that has any questions. Look for more details to follow in the coming weeks. We ARE Vestaburg!
During this testing time students in grades 3-8 will be taking a series of test over Math, ELA, Science, and Social Studies that will total approximately 10 hours of testing. Students in the 11th grade will be also be testing in these subject areas and when this is added to the ACT and ACT Work-keys that they took in March they will have tested for a total of 15 hours and 50 minutes. In addition, the assessment will not be like the old MEAP test that was paper and pencil and consisted of multiple choice questions. The new assessment is going to be online and a combination of a computer adaptive section, a classroom activity, and a performance task. The new test will require students to have endurance and perseverance. This assessment is going to be hard and it is going to require students to think and apply what they have learned in new ways. This years results are not going to be used to rank schools but rather to provide us with baseline data to compare to future years.
We at Vestaburg have and continue to work hard to prepare our students for these assessments through practice tests, interventions, and our daily curriculum this is going to be a new experience for all of our students, as well as, all of the students across the state of Michigan. Thus, we are asking our parents and community to encourage our students to work hard and to give their best effort. Encourage them to persevere and to not get frustrated and to not give up. Lastly, we will be holding our last Parent Update Meeting in April for any parent or community member that has any questions. Look for more details to follow in the coming weeks. We ARE Vestaburg!
Friday, March 20, 2015
March Power of One Award
Each month the Vestaburg Board of Education and Administration recognizes a person or group for their outstanding accomplishments or for their committment to VCS and their willingness to go above and beyond. Furthermore, it is hoped that those of you that are reading this and following the blogs will join in with the Board of Education and help us recognize those that help make a difference and make Vestaburg Community Schools such a great place to be!
This month the Power of One recipient is Todd Halcomb. Mr. Halcomb is the Varsity Boys Basetball Coach. This year coach Halcomb lead the Wolverines to a 17-3 record and an MSAC Championship. This was the first conference championship in 12 years and one of the best seasons in school history. What makes this even more amazing is that just a few years ago our boys program was struggling to win 5 games a season. This turnaround has been a process of patience and hardwork by both the coaches and the players. Lastly, more importantly than the wins, coach Halcomb's teams represent our school and community with dignity and pride. They demonstrate outstanding sportmanship and are well respected by coaches around our area.
Congratulations coach Halcomb on a great season and being March's Power of One recipient.
This month the Power of One recipient is Todd Halcomb. Mr. Halcomb is the Varsity Boys Basetball Coach. This year coach Halcomb lead the Wolverines to a 17-3 record and an MSAC Championship. This was the first conference championship in 12 years and one of the best seasons in school history. What makes this even more amazing is that just a few years ago our boys program was struggling to win 5 games a season. This turnaround has been a process of patience and hardwork by both the coaches and the players. Lastly, more importantly than the wins, coach Halcomb's teams represent our school and community with dignity and pride. They demonstrate outstanding sportmanship and are well respected by coaches around our area.
Congratulations coach Halcomb on a great season and being March's Power of One recipient.
Friday, March 13, 2015
Friday Freaks
We always hear how kids now a days do not know what work is and and all they do is play video games etc.....
Well, every Friday morning there is a program and group of committed young adults that prove this theory wrong. The program is called Friday Freaks and consists of students, many of which are playing a sport, getting up and coming to school and doing an intense workout for an hour. That's right, teenagers getting up at 5:30 am to workout! Hence, the name Friday Freaks because they must all be freaks to put themselves through this right? The truth is that this morning we had 16 students, 2 administrators, and a coach in our fitness room and gymnasium working together to get better! While the physical benefits are great, the truth is that the real benefits come from the commitment, discipline, and bonding that comes as a result of participating in such a program. For example, after the sweat and the burn that comes from the workout the students then go to the commons and sit and eat breakfast with each other. This is a great time to see students of different ages, sex, and backgrounds bonding over working hard and sharing a common goal!
As a person that had the privilege of being apart of this program this morning, I have to say that not only was I proud of the students and the hard work, but I was inspired by their hard work and commitment. In addition, I am thankful that we have staff like Mr. Walderzak and coach Ryckman that are willing to get up early and put the time and effort that goes into planning the workouts and preparing the breakfast for the students. Once again, it makes me very proud and inspired to see this type of commitment and it reminds me why Vestaburg is such a special place to be. We ARE Vestaburg!!!
Well, every Friday morning there is a program and group of committed young adults that prove this theory wrong. The program is called Friday Freaks and consists of students, many of which are playing a sport, getting up and coming to school and doing an intense workout for an hour. That's right, teenagers getting up at 5:30 am to workout! Hence, the name Friday Freaks because they must all be freaks to put themselves through this right? The truth is that this morning we had 16 students, 2 administrators, and a coach in our fitness room and gymnasium working together to get better! While the physical benefits are great, the truth is that the real benefits come from the commitment, discipline, and bonding that comes as a result of participating in such a program. For example, after the sweat and the burn that comes from the workout the students then go to the commons and sit and eat breakfast with each other. This is a great time to see students of different ages, sex, and backgrounds bonding over working hard and sharing a common goal!
As a person that had the privilege of being apart of this program this morning, I have to say that not only was I proud of the students and the hard work, but I was inspired by their hard work and commitment. In addition, I am thankful that we have staff like Mr. Walderzak and coach Ryckman that are willing to get up early and put the time and effort that goes into planning the workouts and preparing the breakfast for the students. Once again, it makes me very proud and inspired to see this type of commitment and it reminds me why Vestaburg is such a special place to be. We ARE Vestaburg!!!
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Boys Basketball
Unfortunately the Varsity Boys Basketball team's season came to a disappointing and unexpected end last night in the District Tournament. While this was not how they had pictured it ending, it is my hope that the boys, parents, and community keep this outstanding season in perspective. The boys finished the season 17-3 and were MSAC Champions. It was one of the best seasons in Vestaburg School history! One tough night or game cannot and should not take away from the months of hard work and accomplishments that this season consisted of.
As you grow older and have life experiences it becomes more and more evident that life is a series of successes and failures, neither of which should define you. In fact, it is not the successes or the failures that matter the most, instead it is how you react to each. How do you handle success? How do you bounce back from tough times and so called "failures". It is my hope that not only do the boys on the team but all of our students revel in the successes that occurred and strive to duplicate and do even better in all aspects of their lives. Furthermore, it is also hoped that the every student and player use the disappointment to fuel their drive and work ethic in school, athletics, and most importantly in life! Thank you to Coach Halcomb and the boys for a great season and for creating many great memories. Seniors, thank you for all that you have given to the team and to the school. You will all be missed but always remember the hard work you put in to help turn the program around.
I for one am as proud of you boys and coaches as was the night we cut down the nets! We ARE Vestaburg!
As you grow older and have life experiences it becomes more and more evident that life is a series of successes and failures, neither of which should define you. In fact, it is not the successes or the failures that matter the most, instead it is how you react to each. How do you handle success? How do you bounce back from tough times and so called "failures". It is my hope that not only do the boys on the team but all of our students revel in the successes that occurred and strive to duplicate and do even better in all aspects of their lives. Furthermore, it is also hoped that the every student and player use the disappointment to fuel their drive and work ethic in school, athletics, and most importantly in life! Thank you to Coach Halcomb and the boys for a great season and for creating many great memories. Seniors, thank you for all that you have given to the team and to the school. You will all be missed but always remember the hard work you put in to help turn the program around.
I for one am as proud of you boys and coaches as was the night we cut down the nets! We ARE Vestaburg!
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