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Wisconsin requires schools to complete an assessment called the Wisconsin Forward Exam. The Exam is designed to gauge how well students are doing in relation to the Wisconsin Academic Standards. These standards outline what students should know and be able to do in order to be college and career-ready. The Forward Exam is administered in the spring of each school year at:
- grades 3-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics,
- grades 4 and 8 in Science and,
- grades 4, 8, and 10 in Social Studies.
Below are the dates our students will be testing. Please do your best to have your student in attendance on these days. We would also appreciate your help in ensuring your child has their charged Chromebook each day.
All grades:
- Thursday, April 4, 8:00-10:30 a.m.
- Thursday, April 11, 8:00-10:30 a.m.
Additional testing for 8th graders:
- Tuesday, April 9, 8:30-10:45 a.m.
- Tuesday, April 16, 8:30-10:00 a.m.
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Hello and Happy Spring!
Students in Mrs. Reynolds’s classes have recently completed the novella version of The Titanic. This shortened, unique version of the events of April 1912, offers many different perspectives regarding the manufacturing of the boat itself, the classes of people aboard the ship, and the events that unfolded both during and after that dreadful night when she sank. Ask your child what he or she learned about “The Ship of Dreams.”
Currently, students are preparing for the FORWARD exam test, which we will take after Spring Break. They are also working hard on nonfiction book presentations, which include a slideshow portion. This book project has an oral or speaking component, which is part of the Wisconsin Common Core State Standards. Students will give their presentations on Wednesday, April 3rd; ask your child to practice with you!
Additionally, we have begun research for our argument analysis essay. For this paper, students research and present two sides of a controversial issue, are taught the differences among summarizing, paraphrasing, and quoting, and learn how to both conduct research and document their sources. Although this work is tough, it is also beneficial and rewarding. As always, please feel free to email me at treynolds@rsd.k12.wi.us, with any questions, and check my Google Classroom for “The Week at a Glance” each Monday for lessons and links!
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Developing Voices
By Dan Pfaff
More and more frequently, I read about English teachers being encouraged to incorporate the use of Artificial Intelligence into their teaching practices, particularly by allowing students to use it to assist them with writing. Without a doubt, A.I. is an easy solution to help relieve stress and anxiety among students who struggle with vocabulary and the arrangement of phrases and clauses when forming sentences. However, wrestling with the complex task of piecing together the various parts of language into a cohesive piece of work improves our thought process, just as pushing through a brutal workout improves our physical well-being. As Ernest Hemingway suggested in his award-winning book The Old Man and the Sea, embracing the struggles and riding the waves on the ocean of life rather than dodging them is what the fulfillment of life is all about. Students who embrace the struggle and forgo reliance on technology to give them the easy answer discover the art behind writing and begin developing confidence and a distinct voice that technology can only replicate. Students then become the drivers of creativity instead of technology, as illustrated by these fabulous responses written by 8th grader Emma Casey.
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How to Use Quotation Marks
One of the most common roadblocks young writers face that causes them to stop and scratch their heads is where to put commas and periods when quotations are used in a sentence. An easy way for students to bypass this obstacle is for them to remember that when living and writing in the United States, periods and commas always go inside quotation marks--always, always, always! If students were living and writing in the U.K., commas and periods would then go inside or outside of quotation marks, depending on usage. A good map to refer to when traveling down the confusing punctuation highway is Grammar Girl, a fun and masterful guide to perfect punctuation usage. By following the rules laid out for us on this wonderful website, everyone will reach his or her punctuation destination safely!
How to Use Quotation Marks Article
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Spanish Opportunity for Webb 8th Grade Students
At Webb, Spanish I has been an option for 8th graders for many years. Students who take Spanish I at Webb can choose to take the course for a high school credit. However, there is another great reason to take Spanish I in 8th grade. Students who continue to take Spanish through high school will be eligible to earn college credits when they are seniors by taking Spanish V. Spanish V has a dual-enrollment option, which means a student may pay to take the course for both RAHS and university credit through the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s College Credit in High School (CCIHS) program. The cost for the course is currently $300. As long as the student earns a B or better in the course, they will earn three university credits for the course itself, along with 11 retroactive university credits. That’s a total of 14 university credits, all for a total cost of $300!
Aside from the cost savings of not having to pay for the course(s) on campus, entering a higher education institution with credits helps the students register for classes before some of their peers, free up time for other courses, and possibly even graduate earlier. Credits transfer to all UW institutions and to most out-of-state, private, and technical institutions.
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Bring the World to Your Doorstep by Hosting a Spanish Student This Summer!
Have you ever considered hosting an exchange student but were not sure if you wanted to commit to a semester or year? This summer would be a great time to consider hosting a student from Spain who will be visiting the United States this summer to improve their English and learn more about American culture. The Spanish students who will be coming are between the ages of 13-18 and have a pre-intermediate level of English. Your responsibility as a host family includes providing a welcoming environment, sharing meals with the student, and providing a bed for the student (they can share a room with children of the same gender). Two groups of Spanish students will be coming this summer. The first will be here from June 30-July 24, and the second group will be here from July 27-August 20.
My family and I hosted a student last summer, and it was an amazing experience! If you would like more information, contact me, Michelle Siedschlag (Webb Spanish I teacher), at msiedschlag@rsd.k12.wi.us.
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Eighth Grade Parents and Students!
Did you know 8th-grade students have an opportunity to attend the UW-Platteville Engineering Expo on Thursday, April 25? This field trip offers 8th graders the chance to see the possibilities of science, technology, and math in the real world. Students view a wide variety of presentations, displays, shows, and much more as they consider a career in math or science. Visit the UW-Platteville Engineering Expo for more information.
To be considered for the trip, students must write a one-page essay detailing why they want to attend and how they will benefit from the day. There is no cost to attend the trip, but we need parent chaperones to make it happen. If you have any questions, please have your student ask their math teacher, or you may reach out to Mrs. Rocha at arocha@rsd.k12.wi.us.
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The 8th-grade Career Expo, which took place at the beginning of March, was a success. Over 50 volunteers from the community came to share their work experiences with students. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible! | |
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Dear Families,
We have partnered with CharacterStrong – an organization that provides training for educators and curricula for students. Their work focuses on three main outcomes: increasing a sense of belonging for all students, improving skills that support student well-being, and deepening student engagement in their academics, in their school, and in their community.
This curriculum was created to support school communities as they engage in the work of preparing young people to thrive in the 21st century. The lessons focus on developing skills and mindsets around building positive habits, understanding our emotions, improving teamwork, and increasing empathy.
One key part of nearly every lesson is the “Character Dare.” These are invitations near the end of most lessons to put the content that students are learning into action in the real world. Ask your student about the most recent Character Dare.
We will also be inviting families to try the “Family Dare” each month.
__________________________
This month’s FAMILY DARE is
A Piece of Me:
Choose an item (or think of an item from the past) that is an important physical possession of yours. Invite other members of the family to do the same and have a night of show-and-tell where you share the story of that item and why it’s important to you.
We all hold onto things for different reasons and this is a fun opportunity to connect over the objects that have significance in our life!
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Forward Exam Testing
Our Forward Exam test dates are right around the corner! The Forward Exam tests students in the areas of English language arts (ELA) and mathematics in grades 3-8, science in grades 4 and 8, and social studies in grades 4, 8, and 10. All of our students will be testing in the morning on April 4 and 11. The 8th graders will also be testing on April 9 and 16 during the first few class periods. Students will need to charge Chromebooks and corded earbuds. Please keep these dates in mind when scheduling appointments or trips. Also, please see the tips listed below to ensure your child is ready to do their best on the assessment:
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s rest and has satisfied their hunger.
- Help them arrive at school on time. Breakfast is served at 7:40 a.m., and testing sessions start at 8:00 a.m.
- Be sure Chromebooks are charged!
- Give words of encouragement about students trying their best.
- Check-in to see if they have their corded earbuds!
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All Concerts will start at 6:00 p.m. at the Cal Center
Tuesday, May 7th:
7th Grade Choir Concert
8th Grade Choir Concert (starts at 7:30 pm)
Tuesday, May 14th:
6th-8th Grade "POPS" Concert
Thursday, May 16th:
6th Grade Music Concert
Monday, May 20th:
6th-8th Grade "Stringfest"
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- Track practice for all 7th and 8th graders will start on Tuesday, April 2nd, and runs Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Practice will take place at Pineview Elementary School. Parents will need to pick athletes up from Pineview after practice.
- All athletes will need to have an up-to-date physical or alternate card turned in at the office.
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March 25 - April 1, 2024
School Resumes
Tuesday, April 2nd
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Monday, May 27
Memorial Day
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Thursday, June 6
at 2:00 p.m.
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The Webb Care Closet is open to the public by appointment. Anyone is welcome to take what they need from the closet, which has a wide range of clothing sizes and items. Please contact the Webb Middle School office at (608) 768-8930 or email Lori Rose at lrose@rsd.k12.wi.us to make an appointment.
Read more...
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The School District of Reedsburg Food Market, The Den, is a FREE food market that is available to all. The Den drive-thru for community members is open most Tuesdays (see schedule below) from 3:30-5:30 p.m. or until all of the boxes have been distributed.
Read more...
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The School District of Reedsburg Board of Education seeks input on a potential phase one project of the Long-Term Facilities Plan. Recently, a community-wide survey was distributed to residents to gather feedback and help the board determine its next steps.
Your feedback and direction from the survey about the first phase is extremely important; please take time to complete it before the Deadline of Friday, March 22, 2024.
| Use the one-time use code mailed to all residents. If you misplaced it, please contact the Central Office at (608) 524-2016 for a new code. | | |
Go to the website to learn more about the Long-Term Facilities Plan and Building Excellence at the School District of Reedsburg. | |
Latest Edition Available
The Spring 2024 issue of Fearless Pursuits is now available online!
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SCHOOL HOURS:
- 8:00 a.m. - 3:26 p.m.
- Doors open by 7:40 a.m.
ATTENDANCE: For student absence, tardy, early release, or change in going home plan, please complete one of the following options:
MEDICATIONS:
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Both doctor-prescribed and over-the-counter medications that need to be given at school require a completed Medication Consent Form. Prescription medications require a doctor's signature.
- IMPORTANT: All medications must be kept in the office, even if they are over-the-counter.
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Cell phones are not allowed
in the classroom.
If you need to get a message to your child, please call the office.
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501 K Street, Reedsburg, WI 53959 Phone: (608) 524-2016 Fax: (608) 768-8927 Web: www.rsd.k12.wi.us | |
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The School District of Reedsburg provides assurance that no student is discriminated against because
of the student’s sex, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or
parental status, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability.
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