Welcome back.  I hope you had a great holiday.  Students who enjoy quality time with family come back to school ready to learn.

    We are entering a critical time in our school year.  January, February, and March are important because we can focus more intently on student achievement without many of the distractions we encountered on the first seventeen weeks of school.  Teachers are again preparing for benchmark testing.  Grades 3-5 will be taking the Acuity test on line.  Grades K-3 will be given the DIBELS assessment. K-2 students will also be assessed in the foundations phonics program.  Benchmark results from first semester and each assessment this semester are be utilized to find weaknesses and instruction is focused on improving in those weak areas.  Also intervention groups are adjusted to meet the needs of our students.  These intervention groups were created within the first two weeks of school and have been continually adjusted based on student progress. Individual instruction for individual needs is the basis for our program.   Now is the time to communicate to your son or daughter the importance of completing homework and putting good work habits in to practice.

    With one week remaining in this semester it’s not too late to make a positive impact on your current grades.  With the help of parents and effort from our students, I’m sure the next report card will show great results.

                                                            Mr. Yoder

  Happy Holidays!
    I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy holiday. Thank you to all the parents who have been supportive of students and teachers.   November provided many opportunities to see parents, grandparents and friends as visitors in our school. Grandparents day, family portrait night, honor assembly, and star watch allowed our families to make a positive influence for students.  Truly the best gift you can give a teacher is to be supportive and reinforce rules and expectations at home.  December will also be an important month in this regard.  The holiday program, grades, and daily routines will all be important to the success of our students.  The positive influence from home is absolutely crucial!
     Happy holidays and many blessings to you and your family.

 November was a special month at Center McMechen Elementary.  We enjoyed special programs and activities that enhanced student and family opportunities in our school.  I would like to offer a special thank you to the following:

Thank you Dr. Shackelford,
Jerry and Judy Padlow (Mini Mart and Gathering Room)  Mrs. Riley,  and
Aaron’s for sponsoring the star watch.

Thank you Le Sorb Photography for donating time and services for our “Give a Family a Portrait”  night.
Thank you to all the readers that visited our school during American Education Week.

          Thank you!       -Mr. Yoder
 
 

November 2011

    “It’s a Great Day to be a Mustang”.  These words are a part of our daily announcements and ring true this Thanksgiving season thanks to new things happening at CMES.

     First our school was awarded a professional Development School Grant through our partnership with West Liberty University.  Not only does this connection bring to our school quality student teachers but also a $3,000 award to implement professional development titled “Explicit Instruction Ownership”.

     Secondly, we have been awarded a $5,000 for a Pre K playground structure to be installed at the south side of the school building.  This is a much needed playground designed for our youngest students.

     Thirdly, our guidance counselors, Mrs. Frazier and Mrs. Tucker have organized a character education service program.  Through this planning and with the help of our 5th grade teachers our fifth grade students work as service project leadership teams to lead all of our grade levels through service projects.  So not only do all students  experience what it means to serve others and our community but our 5th grades gain valuable leadership experience as well.

     Finally, Parent Volunteers are signing up to assist teachers with copying, cutting and other tasks.  Also community members and parents are volunteering to read with children in a one on one setting.

     You are welcome to stop by the office and sign up as a teacher helper or reader.  If you have questions please call me or stop by my office.  Thank you.

 

October 2011

    Things are moving quickly and we are in high gear at CMES.  October marks an eventful month as students will be getting their first report cards.  This means students need to really focus on their work and do all they can to perform at high levels for their teachers.  Everyone is making efforts to ensure that students succeed.  However, students are reminded of our discussion from the first assembly this year.  After reviewing our character education program including school rules, Mustang Mistakes, and TRRFCC Kid Card incentives I stated that teachers more than anything else were looking for hard workers.  To be successful each student must have “grit and self-control” to bring honor to themselves, their families, and our school.  Hopefully they understand this advice and take every opportunity to show that their determination leads to success.

    We are encouraged by our new reading program, “Fundations” in our primary grades.  Students in grades K-2 are now seeing common routines and methods to build success.  “Echo the Owl” is used for students to echo sounds and directions from the teacher.  This supplement to our reading series should make for improved reading scores as students enter the intermediate grades.

Sincerely, Mr. Yoder

        I have concerns with the nature of standardized testing and the messages being sent about schools not making adequate yearly progress (AYP).  For the first time we did not make AYP.  In fact 48 % of the schools in WV did not as well.  I anticipate next year’s results to show at least 60% not making AYP.  Why?  Because the target keeps moving and the standards are ever increasing making it more and more difficult. By the year 2014 100% of the students are expected to reach proficiency . In the end we see newspaper headlines that read, “Local Schools get F” and “School Statistics Cause for Worry”.  This is particularly disheartening when you are in my position as a principal.

         As the principal at Center McMechen I see and am proud of the hard work students and teachers put into each and every day.  I know that AYP results do not reflect that hard work or even accurately communicate student growth and learning.  You will receive student scores on September 6.  Each student is rated novice, below mastery, mastery, above mastery, or distinguished.  Each student is also given a scale score which is a derived score that allows you to compare his or her score from one grade to the next.  In many cases students scored a higher scale score from the previous year but dropped to a lower performance level (mastery to below mastery or novice).  In this way we have less students at mastery or above leaving us below AYP standards. This sends a devastating message to our children.  They work and improve only to see a lower performance measure.   Of concern to me is the ever increasing pressure to improve in reading and math and the consequence of teaching less of the other subjects.  Students lose the benefit of a well rounded education.  Options are being weighed that will change the current practice from the state and national level.  Hopefully change will measure growth and avoid

         So with the negative talk associated with not making AYP comes the challenge to understand the increased expectations and to stand firm in our resolve to improve.  Our teachers are doing just that.  Daily I see teachers striving to provide more engaging instruction.  I see students who take school seriously.  Sometimes I see students who are having problems learning or have difficulties unrelated to school.  But always I see a system in place in which we seek out students to provide both remediation for those struggling and enrichment for those who are advanced.  Please take every opportunity to discuss with school staff ways that you as a parent can make a difference.  Support both child and teacher and do all that you can to secure stability and learning rich environments.  Open House is just one opportunity better understand the role you hold in the success of your child at school.  I hope to see you there!  I feel confident the students, parents, faculty and staff are up to the challenge of this important school year.