January 2, 2024

Dear Families,

This week, our children will iceskate for the first time in this school year.  On Thursday morning, school buses will take our K-5 classes to Riverbank State Park, where the rink is covered by a roof and all students get on the ice at the same time. 

I’m excited that this year’s kindergarteners finally get to skate.  In spite of their strong protests last year, the city has not yet revised contracts with yellow bus companies.  As a result, once again, pre-K classes will not be joining us.  (Renovations at nearby Lasker Rink will be finished, and all of our classes will be walking to skate, before the city re-negotiates expectations with bus companies.)

For this Thursday, children need warm clothes that cushion falling on the ice.  Snowpants, mittens, and hats are a must.  Less experienced skaters will fall – that’s how skaters grow – so it’s important to stay warm and safe.

New Progress Report Format

On February 14, first semester progress reports will go home to families.  This year, we are changing our progress report format.

The Good of Old Format

Most of you already know our old format.  For many years, CPE teachers have written long descriptions of children’s progress, more like a letter than a report card.  Teachers crafted meticulously observed portraits of each child.  Families often gushed at how thoroughly teachers understood their children as people. 

Downsides of Old Format

Our descriptive progress reports had some downsides.  Candidly, some families thought they were too long to read; some told teachers directly just to summarize the reports verbally.  More often, we had families ask, ‘So, overall though, how is my kid really doing?’  Many families said they did not want traditional grades, but they did want more directness about how children are performing relative to state standards.  

To me, the biggest concern of our old format has been the impact on teachers.  Twice a year, teachers would write at total of about 40,000 words describing children – about as many words as 150-page paperback.  Teachers did this extra writing at nights and weekends.  Teaching on two or three hours of sleep affects teachers’ health… and their lesson plans.  None of our teachers asked to change the format.  But I started encouraging a change one year ago, and staff agreed.  We have spent many months creating a more direct, concise format.

How the New Format Works

Each grade’s progress report has sections for work or project time; reading and writing; math; and emotional and social development.  The end of the progress report has a section for teachers to write open-ended suggestions and comments.

Within each section are indicators that are the same for fall and spring.  This example comes from the third grade math section:

Those six indicators above are based on the key learning expectations for third grade math.  That’s not everything in third grade math, but the indicators will provide a quick overview of how children are progressing.

The M-O-A-B at the top of each semester is shorthand for Mastery, On Target, Approaching, and Basic.  Here is more detail about each.

The M-O-A-B scale says how thoroughly and independently a child meets a standard or expectation. 

The Benefits of the New Format

Ultimately, we changed formats to be clearer with families about how children are performing.  These are not old-fashioned grades, influenced by ‘effort’ or ‘class participation,’ where a teacher’s guesses about ‘effort’ could turn a B to an A-minus, or missing homework penalties could drag a B down to a C-plus.  CPE1 is not grading.  Rather, we are using the M-O-A-B scale to communicate more directly, as some families have requested. 

I will miss the brilliant writing and observations of our old progress reporting.  I do look forward to more clarity, and hope families appreciate the changes you will see when your child’s report comes home on February 14.

Dental Screening

On February 2, dentists from the Give Kids a Smile program will be offering free dental screening at CPE1.  The dentists will spend a few minutes checking each child’s teeth for cavities or other issues.  They also will provide a fluoride treatment.

Please return the Give Kids a Smile dental screening form.  The dental team will not screen your child unless you give consent.

Coming Up Soon

Family Workshop – January 11 – 6:00

Community Coffee – January 12 – 8:15

No School –January 15

Parent Association Meeting – January 23 – 6:00