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ITBS Testing Right Around the Corner!
As October is rapidly ending, my attention is now focused on the all school ITBS assessment tests we will administer in just two weeks. Whether you are a supporter of assessment testing or lean in the other direction, Bethany Lutheran School will be utilizing the results of this assessment to potentially help drive our curriculum. Assessment data helps all stakeholders answer important questions about student learning. Assessment data can: help teachers differentiate instruction by student readiness. set academic goals evaluate programs and target professional development provide insight as to where students are currently performing More importantly, in order to fully benefit from assessment data, we need our students to do their very best. In order to do their best, they must prepare by eating appropriately the day before and the day of the assessments, get plenty of sleep and rest, and relax during the process. Studies show that when students go into an assessment well rested, relaxed, and focused, they tend to do very well.

Chapel Take Over
As many of you are aware this year our chapel services have incorporated our very own students. Each class and student groups have been given the opportunity to be a part of chapel or take over it completely. So far, we have seen some wonderful Christian themed skits, heard some uplifting and inspiring songs, and just recently witnessed a combination of song, music and acting by our 4th grade class. We invite you to attend chapel with us at your leisure. This is still a great way to fellowship with the student body and be treated to some amazing talent from our very own students. Chapels are Wednesday mornings from 8:30 – 9 AM. We hope to see you there.

Attendance Reminder
Parents just a gentle reminder that teachers are taking roll every morning between 8 and 8:15. Students who arrive after roll are considered tardy. Students who arrive after 30 minutes of instructional time are considered truant and tardy, without a valid excuse. For more information on the California Education Code for attendance, please refer to https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ai/tr/

Attendance is critical as students have so much to learn every single day, and the instruction itself is increasingly rigorous. Missing even one day can put students at a disadvantage. In fact, research shows for every day a child is absent, they fall two to three days behind their peers because they have to play catch-up. So, if a student is absent once a month, they could fall about 30 days behind by the end of the school year. School is also where children learn to socialize and practice skills such as leadership, problem-solving and goal-setting, which can help them throughout their lives. We encourage everyone to practice good attendance and arrive on time, however, we do understand that “life” happens, we just want to make certain that good attendance practices are observed.