CCS began using the ACT Aspire as its annual standardized testing tool in the spring of 2017. We will be administering this assessment to CCS students in Grades 3-10 during the week of April 29 through May 3 this year. The school board adopted an assessment tool that aligns with our commitment to provide a developmentally appropriate program for all ages, which includes when we begin exposing our youngest students to standardized assessments of this nature. CCS administers the PSAT to juniors (and optionally to sophomores) each fall, and seniors typically take the College SAT and/or ACT during their senior year.
As a school whose first key strategy to achieving its mission is to offer a rigorous, accredited program that prepares students to excel in college, it is important that our annual assessment tools provide us with longitudinal data that can help us monitor how our students are progressing each year towards college readiness. The ACT Aspire “measures academic achievement in English, math, reading, science, and writing. It is linked to the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards, which is research-based information that makes test results meaningful by connecting a student’s ACT Aspire score to specific skills and knowledge important for college and work success.” (ACT Aspire)
Additionally, standardized assessments allow the school to gather data that can help us continually develop our program and resources to meet the needs of students as we ultimately prepare them to go into the world to make an impact for God’s Kingdom. For more information about the ACT Aspire, visit www.discoveractaspire.org.
Standardized Testing with
ACT Aspire
MARCH 2019
THE LION'S ROAR
4
The fifth key strategy CCS uses to accomplish the CCS mission is to provide students with opportunities to learn and grow by serving others. At least twice each year, we set aside specific time to gather together in “partner grades.” One elementary grade is paired with one middle or high school grade, and they establish friendships that last throughout their time at CCS.
On Thursday, February 28, our students worked together in a variety of ways to serve others with the students in their partner grades. We look forward to sharing with you next month what each of the paired grades did. However, the Kindergarten & Grade 6 group is inviting the school family to join them in their efforts to reach out to a group of folks who might otherwise be overlooked.
As you know, there are numerous children who are serviced in the oncology department at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center (CCMC). Programs and organizations already exist to provide services and gifts to help brighten the lives of the children receiving treatment. However, it is also a stressful time for the parents of these young patients as they watch their children undergo multiple treatments, often with the future being uncertain.
Our Kindergarten and Grade 6 students are collecting items to be assembled into care packages for the parents of children who are oncology patients at CCMC. If you would like to participate, you can send to the school office any of the following types of items, such as toiletries (shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush), pretty soaps, cozy adult-sized socks, gift cards (such as to Dunkin Donuts, which is right across the street), hand lotion, and lip balm.
All donations will need to be received by Thursday, March 21, because the children will be assembling the final packages the following day. We pray that our students will be encouraged to serve others throughout their lives as they participate in these types of services projects during their young years.
Learning by Serving Others
The Manchester Church of the Nazarene hosts a monthly gathering called Wednesdays with the Wise. Often our CCS students are given an opportunity to minister to the “60 years and older” audience through a small performance, skit, or song. This month, our K-Prep class sang and signed “What a Beautiful Name” and delighted their viewers. How wonderful that even our smallest children are able to share their talents and God’s love with others!
Wednesdays with the Wise