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GATOR TALK  

APRIL 2013

West Leesville Elementary students will be working on the pillar of DECISION MAKING for the month of April in Character Counts.  Our students will be participating in activities that involve stakeholders, self-control, and making correct decisions.  Please help us help your child by reinforcing these traits at home.

LEAP/iLEAP/ITBS (Grades 2, 3, & 4) TESTING WEEK WILL BE APRIL 8-12, 2013!!!! These testing dates are EXTREMELY important!  Our teachers and students have worked very hard in preparing for these tests.  Please help your child during testing weeks by making sure he/she gets plenty of sleep each night, eats a good breakfast, comes to school in a good mood, and gets to school on time.  Tardy students will NOT enter class until testing has been completed for that day.  Please remember these very important facts about testing scores:

·   2^ND Grade ITBS scores provide data to track each child's academic progress.

·   3^rd Grade iLEAP scores are used to IDENTIFY students "AT-RISK" for FAILING the LEAP test in the 4^th Grade.  These students will receive additional remediation in E/LA and/or Math during their 4^th grade school year.

·   4^th Grade students are REQUIRED to score a MINIMUM BASIC/APPROACHING BASIC COMBINATION IN E/LA & MATH for a PASSING SCORE on LEAP.

·   Sample LEAP/iLEAP practice test items are available at the following web address:  www.LouisianaPass.org .

CHECK OUT the WLE WEB PAGE!!!!   You may access the information offered online by logging on to the Vernon Parish website at www.vpsb.k12.la.us .  Click on Schools and then scroll down to West Leesville Elementary. 

Don't forget about the JPAMS Parent Command Center on the Vernon Parish website at www.vpsb.k12.la.us .  This command center provides information about your child's grades, attendance, discipline, and progress.  If you need assistance, please call the school office.

ALL Vernon Parish students on full/reduced lunch status must pay for meals in advance or on a "pay as you go" plan.  NO CHARGES WILL BE ALLOWED after APRIL 19th!  Please send your child's lunch money in an envelope marked with your child's name, lunch number, teacher's name and room number.   If your child has an outstanding balance, the cafeteria will send out a statement to show the amount owed.  Students WILL NOT be allowed to eat in the cafeteria if money is owed. Please send a sack lunch for your child until the balance is paid.  Thanks for your prompt attention in this matter.

As the end of this school year draws nearer, it is important to remind you of the Vernon Parish School Board attendance requirements.  Students must attend school a minimum of 160 days per school year.  Any student with 14 or more UNEXCUSED/TEMPORARILY EXCUSED ABSENCES WILL NOT BE PROMOTED to the next grade unless legal documentation has been provided for extenuating circumstances.  A parent note will allow students to complete work, but will not be considered as "excused" documentation.  Please send any doctor's statements or other documentation explaining your child's absences within 5 days of child's absence.  Students exceeding 8 days or more of absences in a semester will be required to attend Saturday School. At the end of the school year, our School Building Level Committee will review documentation and determine student placement for next year.

The 5^th Six Weeks grading period will end on Friday, April 5^th.  Report cards will be sent home on Thursday, April 11^th.  Our Celebrate Success assemblies will be canceled this six weeks due to Testing Week.  Please sign and return your child's report card to his/her teacher as soon as possible.  If you have questions/concerns, please mark the appropriate space at the bottom of the report card to schedule a conference.

The 2^nd Grade students will be presenting "The Green Machine Team" play on Friday, April 26^th.  Group A (Rooms 28, 30, 32, & 34) will be performing at 9 AM and Group B (Rooms 27, 29, & 33) will be performing at 10 AM.  Both performances will be held in the WLE Multi-Purpose Building.

SPRING FEVER IS IN THE AIR!  Please remind your child of the importance of following school, classroom, bus rules, and dress code policies to prevent behavior referrals to the office.  It is important to continue to emphasize the importance of good work and study habits during the remainder of the school year.  Students must meet Vernon Parish Pupil Progression Plan requirements to be promoted.  Please refer to your Parent/Student Handbook in your child's student planner.

APRIL CALENDAR OF EVENTS:

April 5- End of 5^th Six Weeks

April 11- Report Cards go home

April 8-12 Testing Time for ALL grades!

April 19-Last day for meal charges

April 22-NO CHARGES FOR CAFETERIA MEALS AS OF THIS DATE!

April 26-2^nd Grade Spring Play

REACH FOR YOUR BEST AT WEST