HBC PARENT CONNECTION
Friday, March 3, 2023
H-BC Elementary Families:
Today our students were able to participate in a movie at the Palace Theater in Luverne. They had a great time! This took the place of our canceled event that was scheduled prior to Christmas Break and in conjunction with our Reading 1000 Book Celebration. It is so special to see the smiles on their faces as they participated in this event.
MID QUARTER: February 23rd marked our mid quarter of our 3rd quarter marking period. Mid-quarter reports were sent home to our 4th and 5th grade students.
READ ACROSS AMERICA: H-BC Elementary recognized Read Across America Day on Thursday, March 2nd. Thank you to all the Secondary Students that came over to assist in our celebration!
NATIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: Today marks the end of this recognition. We have much to be thankful for in our corner of southwest Minnesota. Our team of teachers, specialists, parents and school board members make our public school one to be proud of.
DOCTOR SUESS: Mrs. Edmundson’s 2nd grade class read the Doctor Suess classic Wacky Wednesday and declared Wednesday, March 1st - Wacky Wednesday.
GRADES 2-5 SWIMMING LESSONS: Information and registration forms were sent home for 2nd-5th grade students to participate in Swimming Lessons at Luverne Area Aquatics & Fitness. Beginning Tuesday, March 17th, students will be bussed to Luverne Aquatics Center. Parental permission forms and fee must be returned promptly.
BOND REFERENDUM VOTE: Please read this brochure regarding the upcoming Bond Referendum Vote scheduled for Tuesday, April 11, 2023. Bond Referendum Brochure
Informational meetings scheduled for 7 pm on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at the Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary School in Beaver Creek and 7 pm on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the Hugo Goehle Gymnasium in Hills. Information can be found on the District's Website www.hbcpatriots.com
Please reach out to me with questions. email: t.holthaus@isd671.net or phone 507-962-3240
x1102
EARLY OUT CHILD CARE: Our PEAC Program (Patriot Enrichment Afterschool Care) is available on early dismissal days for K-5 students. Call the office or email Mrs. Voss for more information: t.voss@isd671.net
KINDERGARTEN ROUND-UP: KIndergarten Round-Up is scheduled for Friday, March 17th. Students 5 years old on or before August 31, 2023 are eligible. Please see the details here: K Round Up
EARLY CHILDHOOD FAMILY EDUCATION: Our ECFE Program is a great way for parents to spend quality time with their child. Children ages 0-5 are welcome to H-BC Elementary School each month from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm. Mark your calendar for these upcoming dates: March 14, April 4 and April 18. Please contact m.ellingson@isd671.net with any questions.
AFTER SCHOOL CARE: PEAC - Patriot Enrichment After School Care is available for “regulars” and “drop-ins”. Call the office or email Mrs. Voss for more information: t.voss@isd671.net
AM BUS CHANGES: For morning bus changes please call the HBC bus line--make sure to identify your student and the bus number they are riding: 507-962-3240
Mark Your Calendar:
Friday, March 17 - Kindergarten Roundup. Regular K students do not have class.
Thursday, March 23 - Last day of the 3rd Quarter
Thursday, March 23 - Bond Referendum Informational Meeting 7pm - H-BC Elementary
Friday, March 24 - No School - Staff Inservice
Monday, March 27 - Start of 4th Quarter
Tuesday, March 28 - Bond Referendum Informational Meeting 7pm - Hugo Goehle-Hills
Please reach out to me if you have any needs. Phone- 507-673-2541 or t.holthaus@isd671.net
MCA Statewide Assessments Dear Families,
The Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) requires that statewide assessments are annually administered in reading, mathematics, and science. They are designed to provide the state, districts, and schools with a snapshot of student learning of the Minnesota K-12 Academic Standards.
When will HBC Students take the MCA Tests? What Grades will take the MCA Tests?
MCA Reading - (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 10th) - Tuesday, April 11th and Wednesday, April 12th
MCA Math - (3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th) - Tuesday, April 18th and Wednesday, April 19th
MCA Science - (5th, 8th and 10th) - Tuesday, April 25th or Wednesday, April 26th
What are the MCA Tests? The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) and Minnesota Test of Academic Skills (MTAS) are reading, mathematics, and science standards-based assessments that measure student learning of the Minnesota Academic Standards. These assessments are used to meet federal and state legislative requirements. Most students take the MCA, but students who receive special education services and meet the MTAS eligibility requirements may take the MTAS instead.
Why do we give these assessments? MCA results provide valuable information for the school, district and MDE about how well students have learned concepts and skills from the academic standards. Educators and schools can use the results to plan instruction and evaluate their curriculum. Families can also use the results as one way to measure how students are doing on the content that is part of their daily instruction. School- and district-level test results are used in federal and state accountability measurements.
How are the MCA administered? The MCAs must be taken in person, even if your student is enrolled in an online program. For students temporarily learning online, they will take statewide assessments when they return to school. Your school can provide more specific information about the health and safety measures they are taking to ensure students and staff stay safe and healthy during test administration. Most students take the MCA online, but some eligible students take the assessment in a paper test book instead. For the MTAS, teachers work with each student individually using paper test materials.
How can I get more information? Contact your school for more information on how these test results are used to support your student’s learning. The MCA and MTAS Parent Fact Sheets are available on the MDE website (under Students and Families > Programs and Initiatives > Statewide Testing) in several languages.
If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Kellenberger, District Assessment Coordinator - a.kellenberger@isd671.net
Spring Assessments Coming Soon (Repeat)- Spring Testing is an important time to check progress for our students. As we get closer to April, we will enter the Spring Assessment season. Please click this LINK to see our HBC Assessment Calendar. This will give you an idea when each assessment is scheduled for ACTs, MCAs and NWEAs.
