OUR SCHOOL

Our behavior expectations at Monument are found in every classroom and throughout the building. Students are taught the expectations at the beginning of the year by their teachers and again throughout the year. By teaching the expectations and reminding them every day of the commitment we all have to those expectations, students experience success each day. We reinforce students for their positive choices by verbally commending them, giving them Monument Money which can be redeemed for extra privileges, and the Student of the Month positive recognition assemblies held every month. Our teachers, staff, and parents work together for our fabulous students.

 

Monument PBIS Team

 

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All Behavior is Chosen to Align with these Three Personal Standards

1. Be Respectful

2. Make Good Decisions

3. Solve Problems

 

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The state under the direction of the federal government is changing the evaluation system of educators and also requiring action when a school is underperforming.  Lists have been published by the state that identify schools that are struggling based on the MSP.  Monument is on one of those lists along with most of the schools in our district.  We have a district plan to help our students succeed that we are currently implementing. 

Part of the plan speaks to parent involvement.  We know that together as a team, we can help each student succeed.  Many parents have asked me how they can help.  This year our students will took the MSP.   There are some things that you can do as parents that will help our students not only do better on this test, but will help them do better in school. 

Here is a brief list:

• Make sure your child reads for 30 minutes every night at home (English or Spanish)
• Make sure your child knows all their math facts (multiplication and division are extremely important) 15-25 minutes a night should be spent with flash cards if students have not passed off these facts.
• Communicate with the school if you have questions or ideas about how to support your child.

If we have the top two things happen in every home, every night, our students will have far better chances at succeeding.  A good measure of whether your student is reading and comprehending would be their AR goal.  Have they met their AR goal every quarter?  If they have not met their AR goal, we need to make a plan to help them with their reading.  For math, taking your students through flash cards and math help websites can give you valuable data on how they are doing.  Let us know how we can support you!  We can do this together

 

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Standard Reporting

4: Above grade level in that skill or performance area

3: At grade level in that skill or performance area

2: Working toward grade level in that skill or performance area

1: Significantly below grade level in that skill or performance area

By aligning our report cards to the state standards, we are able to give parents more specific information about strengths and weaknesses with this type of report card.  A student that may have received an A in the past might move forward thinking everything is fine, while in one specific area they have struggled.  A standard’s based report card breaks down their level in these specific areas to assist our efforts in helping every student get to the next level.

Letter grading in the past could have signified a number of varying things for our students.  Students receiving failing grades could have mastered the skills, but had poor homework turn in rates.  Other students who were well below level could have received a “B” because they tried hard and were good in class.  Interestingly, in schools across the state that use letter grades, students that are passing standardized tests are failing classes.  The A, B, C, D, F grading system fails when it comes to matching up with state standards.