1. JACK STUART SCHOOL
Phone #: 672
October 28, 2010
CLASSROOM NEWS
Kindergarten
Saving People by Meagan Z. (AM class)
This is the fake person that the fire fighters use to
practice with. They go up high stairs and
carry the fake person. If there is a fire, they carry them
out of the house to save them.
The Doll House by Madison O. (AM class)
This is the doll house. The fireman, Jeff, used the remote
control to make things happen. He closed the doors to
stop bad things from happening. He put the things that
don’t belong in the house out in the shed.
The Fire by Matthew M. (PM class)
I went to the fire station. One fire truck was never
used. Axes were on the fire truck. If the doo
stuck, axes break it open.
The Fire Station by Riley S. (PM class)
I like the walkie talkies. I like them because you can
talk through it. You can talk to the other fire fighters.
Class 2Han by Megan B.
We have been counting money in Math. On
morning we will be carving pumpkins with our buddies.
On Friday we will have our Halloween party
with our class and show our costumes with
the whole school. Have a wonderful
Halloween!
Class 2Hop by Brogan K.
I like Math. In Art we are
on spooky pumpkins and ghosts. I
like the JSS song because we sing it every day. I can’t
wait until Halloween. I like recess in the snow.
Class 4K by Tatiana H.
In Mrs. Kell’s grade 4 class, it is awesome!
In Language Arts we are doing handwriting and we are
reading our collections books. When we are done our
handwriting exercises we are going to have a
handwriting quiz. I like library because we get to take
out 4 books! In Math we are learning adding and place
value. We have Music with Mrs. Hartman. We are
learning recorders. In French we are learning the colours
of the rainbow. Like last month we got our French
names. Mine is Rēnee. Right now in Social we are
making 3-D maps of Alberta. We are learning about
waste and our world in Science. In Phys. Ed. We are
playing on scooters.
JACK STUART SCHOOL
Phone #: 672-0880 Voice Message #: 672-0898
by Meagan Z. (AM class)
This is the fake person that the fire fighters use to
carry the fake person. If there is a fire, they carry them
by Madison O. (AM class)
This is the doll house. The fireman, Jeff, used the remote
He closed the doors to
stop bad things from happening. He put the things that
I went to the fire station. One fire truck was never
used. Axes were on the fire truck. If the doors are
I like the walkie talkies. I like them because you can
talk through it. You can talk to the other fire fighters.
We have been counting money in Math. On Thursday
morning we will be carving pumpkins with our buddies.
On Friday we will have our Halloween party
with our class and show our costumes with
the whole school. Have a wonderful
by Brogan K.
I like Math. In Art we are working
on spooky pumpkins and ghosts. I
like the JSS song because we sing it every day. I can’t
wait until Halloween. I like recess in the snow.
In Mrs. Kell’s grade 4 class, it is awesome!
ing and we are
reading our collections books. When we are done our
handwriting exercises we are going to have a
handwriting quiz. I like library because we get to take
out 4 books! In Math we are learning adding and place
tman. We are
learning recorders. In French we are learning the colours
of the rainbow. Like last month we got our French
nee. Right now in Social we are
D maps of Alberta. We are learning about
hys. Ed. We are
Parent Volunteers
Becky McCarroll, Stacy Lofgren,
Cathy Pacholek, Holly McIndoe,
Dan Johnson, Alicia Dewald, Sarah
Baker, Tanya Germann, Brian
Barry, Michelle Fuernkranz, Sarah
Ellis, Cali Rafters, Nicole Woods,
Kristie Johnston, Danielle Laing,
Mayuko Okada, Jen deHoog,
Lynaea Trussler, Koichi Okada.
Phys. Ed. & Athletics Notes
by Mr. Nelson
JSS Volleyball
says there is a practice on Monday
November 15
cancelled as we have
that day.
Intramural season is beginning. Our
first few activities are indoor soccer
league, floor hockey club, and rock
paper scissors tournament. All
intramurals will be played at lunch time. The grade 1
will have special days in the gym d
November and December.
When are school fees due?
As parents, you may have noticed that you have not
received an invoice for your child(ren)’s school fees yet
this year.
Because all the schools in Battle River School Division
are making the transition to a new computer system this
fall, school administrative assistants have been focusing
on getting new software up and running. Unfortunately,
the new system does not yet have the capacity to prepare
invoices or receipts, so our schools h
send out school fee notices.
It is our intention to have the notices sent out as soon as
possible and you can be assured that no interest charges
will be levied. Basic school fees have not changed from
previous years, so you can prepa
same amount to be charged per child (there could be
some variation in fees for
different grade levels or if a
child participates in a
program that has extra fees).
We appreciate your patience
as we make the transition to
this new computer software.
Issue #6
Becky McCarroll, Stacy Lofgren,
Cathy Pacholek, Holly McIndoe,
Dan Johnson, Alicia Dewald, Sarah
Barry, Michelle Fuernkranz, Sarah
Ellis, Cali Rafters, Nicole Woods,
Danielle Laing,
Lynaea Trussler, Koichi Okada.
Phys. Ed. & Athletics Notes
by Mr. Nelson
JSS Volleyball – On the schedule it
says there is a practice on Monday,
November 15th
. This practice is
cancelled as we have no school
Intramural season is beginning. Our
first few activities are indoor soccer
league, floor hockey club, and rock
paper scissors tournament. All
intramurals will be played at lunch time. The grade 1-3’s
will have special days in the gym during the month of
As parents, you may have noticed that you have not
received an invoice for your child(ren)’s school fees yet
Because all the schools in Battle River School Division
ng the transition to a new computer system this
fall, school administrative assistants have been focusing
on getting new software up and running. Unfortunately,
the new system does not yet have the capacity to prepare
invoices or receipts, so our schools have not been able to
It is our intention to have the notices sent out as soon as
assured that no interest charges
will be levied. Basic school fees have not changed from
previous years, so you can prepare for approximately the
same amount to be charged per child (there could be

2. Halloween! by Mrs. Sommer
Our school parade and classroom
parties will be scheduled for the
afternoon of Friday, October 29th
.
Please join us in the school gym for the
costume parade which will begin at
2:00 pm on Friday, October 29th
.
Important Dates
October 29 Halloween Parade/Parties-2:00 pm
November 2 Parent Information Night Re:
Assessment Procedure & New Report
Cards – 7:00 pm in School
November 4 Hot Lunch – Extreme Pita
November 8 Lifetouch Photo Retakes
November 10 Remembrance Day Service –
10:30 am
November 11 Remembrance Day – No School
November 12 Day-In-Lieu of August PD – No School
November 15 Day-In-Lieu of Interviews – No School
November 16 Staff Meeting – Noon Dismissal
** Next Newsletter November 4, 2010
Battle River School Division Update - Fall 2010
Administrative Procedure 360 – Student Assessment
Two years ago, a committee of 18—composed of thirteen BRSD teachers/administrators, two Division Office members and
three trustees—researched, debated and drafted a new Administrative Procedure on student assessment. Last fall, the first draft
was forwarded to the 23 Vice Principals who further debated, revised and finalize it.
Based on the recommendations developed in this two-stage process, the Superintendent approved Administrative Procedure
360 – Student Assessment – for implementation this fall. The Vice Principals Project continues to focus on providing support
for implementation.
An Administrative Procedure is approved by the Superintendent of a school division. It outlines the ways a school
division’s employees operate in specific situations. Administrative Procedure 360 is written for teachers and
leaders; it outlines the expectations for measuring learning in BRSD classrooms.
Administrative Procedure 360 - Student Assessment - stems from the BRSD’s beliefs and goals as well
as legislation (School Act and Guide to Education) and educational research on assessment and grading.
Administrative Procedure 360 is built on BRSD’s 7 Beliefs:
• Our fundamental purpose is to promote student learning, growth and understanding.
• When a student is in the greatest need, we will provide the greatest support.
• All staff need to be committed and dedicated to their own continuous learning.
• Passion and skill are central to being an influential and successful educator.
• Everyone will be treated with dignity and respect in a safe and caring environment.
• Character education is an essential component of a child’s development.
• Optimal learning occurs when it is engaging, meaningful and active.
The Administrative Procedure is also tightly connected to three of BRSD’s Goals:
1. All students will achieve standards by participating in learning experiences that are outcome-centered,
inquiry-based and collaborative.
2. All students will have access to rich, descriptive feedback about their learning that enhances their ability to
be successful.
3. All students will possess a strong connection to their school as a safe and caring place that is focused on
their individualized success.

3. Classroom assessment involves about collecting high quality evidence of learning, calculating it
accurately, and reporting it clearly. Learning requires clear targets, plenty of practice and helpful
feedback.
Administrative Procedure 360 (Student Assessment) aligns with educational research and BRSD’s vision of
enhancing student success for all students. The key ideas in this Administrative Procedure include:
1. Teachers create learning targets so students know where they are going. In Alberta, the learning targets
are the Learner Outcomes listed in the Alberta Programs of Studies.
2. Students need clear feedback about how they are doing in relation to the learning targets. This comes in
the form of verbal and written feedback, class discussions, feedback on assignments and formative
assessments. Report cards give a summary several times a year about how each student is doing in
relation to the learning targets.
3. Students need helpful advice and strategies or order to hit the expected learning targets. This learning
advice is given in conversations, as verbal or written feedback on assignments, and in communication to
parents (e.g. report cards).
Teachers have a legal responsibility to teach and assess the Learner Outcomes from the Alberta
Program of Studies. Measuring learning is a significant responsibility; it is also complex work.
Teachers determine how learning and assessment unfold in the classroom. On a daily basis, teachers:
• Design classroom learning (plan)
• Share clear learning targets with students
• Collect evidence of learning - What do students know? What are students able to do?
• Separate evidence that is connected to learner outcomes from evidence related to learning behaviours
(e.g. attitude, participation, work ethic, etc.)
• Adjust their instruction based on the evidence of learning – What needs more time and support? What is
well understood?
• Record and calculate the evidence (using gradebook software and professional judgment)
• Report learning to students and parents (in conversations, feedback and formal reports)
• Adapt and modify learning programs for students with identified special learning needs
Throughout all the stages of the learning and assessment process, teachers coach students with specific feedback to help them
improve.
Listing these steps on paper makes the work of assessment seem straightforward. Rather, classroom assessment is complex and
full of nuanced decision-making.
Teachers’ professional judgment is a vital ingredient in effective classroom assessment.
Parents, students and educators share a common goal of preparing students to successfully take on
the challenges and realities of learning, life and work. Students, educators and families work
together to ensure timely completion of assigned work so there is evidence on which to base a
student’s grade.

4. Evidence of learning can include things like assignments, projects and tests. There are times when individual
students do not complete assigned work. The question of what to do with late or incomplete work connects to
three related issues.
Firstly, there is an issue of whether the student understands the concepts being taught and how to do the assigned work. A lack
of understanding can cause a student to avoid attempting or completing work. BRSD’s belief statement says, “When a student
is in the greatest need, we will provide the greatest support.” When there are gaps in understanding, students need assistance.
Secondly, teachers are professionally responsible to accurately measure and report on each student’s level of understanding.
Grades must accurately reflect what each student knows and can do in relation to the Alberta Programs of Study. It distorts the
accuracy of a grade to blend learning behaviours (such as handing in work late or neatness) with the measurement of student
understanding. Assigning a zero for missing or incomplete evidence also distorts accuracy because a zero indicates that a
student knows nothing about the concept(s) being assessed. This would rarely, if ever, be the case. Accuracy of measurement is
a professional responsibility.
We all realize that solid learning behaviours influence achievement. In BRSD, we are committed to communicating about
students’ achievement and related learning behaviours. The Administrative Procedure follows the findings of grading research.
In BRSD, learning behaviours are reported separately from the student’s level of understanding. Grades contain clear
information about the level of understanding. Information about learning behaviors is communicated separately (e.g. in
formative evidence, telephone calls, emails, Characteristics of Successful Learning, report card comments, etc.).
Separating achievement from learning behaviours reveals a fuller, clearer picture of student progress.
Thirdly, there are times that work is not completed because of poor time management, initiative, or organizational skills. Issues
related to the character trait of responsibility surface in people of all ages. When students do not take responsibility for
completing work, they learn responsibility by being expected—and required—to complete the work. Late or incomplete work
signals that a student needs additional support from family and school to manage time, meet expectations, and stay organized.
Being required to complete missed work develops responsibility and provides evidence on which to base the measurement of
the student’s level of understanding.
For all of these related reasons, Admin Procedure 360 states that schools will “establish consistent, student success-driven
processes to support and ensure completion of student work, and to develop and implement alternatives to zeros” (Section
1.2.i).
In BRSD, “our fundamental purpose is to promote student learning, growth and understanding.”
Effective assessment advances the vision of Every Student, Every Day, A Success.
REMINDER:
PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT
RE: ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE
& NEW REPORT CARDS
NOVEMBER 2ND
AT 7:00 PM
IN THE SCHOOL