Dakota STEP assesses academicachievement and mastery of standardsIn TouchKristine Hubbard, editor<strong>Meade</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> 46-11230 Douglas StreetSturgis, S.D. 57785Phone: 605.347.2523x3Toll-free: 1.877.522.6251Questions or comments aboutthe contents of this newslettershould be directed to the editor.<strong>Meade</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>District</strong> studentswill be taking the South DakotaState Test of Educational Progress(Dakota STEP), the assessmentsystem for accountability in SouthDakota schools, between <strong>April</strong> 1-19.Dakota STEP assesses basiccurricular objectives in reading andmath for students in grades threethrough eight and grade 11, andscience for those in grades five andeight and grade 11, as required bythe No Child Left Behind Act.The test is a battery of untimed,multiple-choice subtests with thequestions based on national andstate content standards and isdesigned to gauge studentachievement in relation to otherchildren the same age in schoolsacross the state and the nation.Juniors at Sturgis Brown High<strong>School</strong> will take the test on <strong>April</strong> 3and <strong>April</strong> 10, and to help preparethem and their parents for the test,several events will be held. Bothtesting days will begin with breakfastat 8 a.m. in the west gym. Thebreakfast, provided by the SouthDakota National Guard, parentsand staff, will be followed by ademonstration of relaxation andstress breaker techniques as wellas Zumba and yoga activities.Stephanie Sherman from Curveswill lead the Zumba classes whilehigh school staff members AlissaAdams and Chris Koletsky willteach yoga. Water and healthysnacks will be available to the studentsthroughout the testing period.In addition, letters were sent toall parents of the juniors regardingthe testing schedule, the importanceof adequate rest and nutritionprior to testing, test-takingstrategies and other helpful hints. Ameeting was also held duringParent Teacher Conferences forthe parents of those taking the test.Sturgis Williams Middle <strong>School</strong>eighth grade students will take thescience test <strong>April</strong> 3-5. The mathand reading tests will be taken bythe sixth, seventh and eighth gradestudents <strong>April</strong> 9-11. All test-takingwill be done during the regular science,math and reading classes.Specific testing dates aren'tscheduled at Sturgis Elementary.Instead, times and days within thetesting window are selected basedon what is best for the students intheir current schedule. "We talk tothe students about test-takingstrategies, getting a good night'srest and the importance of eatingbreakfast," said Principal ChantalLigtenberg. Information is alsosent to the parents about the test.Testing at Whitewood Elementary<strong>School</strong> will take place from<strong>April</strong> 5-12. An assembly was heldat the school at which time theyounger students encouraged thetest-takers to do their best.Principal Bev Rosenboom handedout "Do Your Best on the Test" pencilsto the test-takers. In addition tothe fresh fruits regularly availableat the Whitewood <strong>School</strong>, the PTOis providing snacks. Each ruralschool sets its own schedule, butmost testing will occur from <strong>April</strong> 2-12. All rural students have alsoreceived encouragement and specialpencils from Rosenboom.The majority of the testing atPiedmont Valley Elementary willtake place <strong>April</strong> 2-5 and <strong>April</strong> 9-11.The students at that school willalso receive pencils as encouragement.The Piedmont StudentCouncil used some of its moneyfrom the fall cookie dough sales topurchase snacks and other foodsand liquids for the test-takers sothey can stay hydrated and full ofenergy throughout the testing.Although Dakota STEPresults are only one measure ofstudent achievement, the assessmentprovides critical feedback toeducators, students and parentsregarding students' academicachievement and mastery of contentstandards.2 In Touch <strong>April</strong>-<strong>May</strong> <strong>2013</strong>
Studentshonored fortest scoresAs a way of encouragingSturgis Brown High <strong>School</strong> juniorsto be more serious about theupcoming Dakota STEP exam,this year's seniors, who took theDakota STEP last year as juniors,were recognized for their testscores at an assembly held justfor the junior and senior students.SBHS Principal Jeff Simmonsillustrated how individuals findsuccess in life. "Luck," he said, "isnot something we can control. Norcan we control genetics." Headded that students also have littlecontrol over the difficulty of thetasks they encounter; however, hesaid, they can control effort. “Youreffort on these tests is important.”Simmons encouraged juniorsand seniors to continually challengethemselves to rememberthey are Scoopers, and ScooperDuring a school assembly at Whitewood, kindergartners Ireland Nacey,Leah Johnson, Riley Fish, Cason Sabers and Logan Katsmedas displayedhandmade posters to encourage everyone to do their best on the big test.Pride means doing their best inall areas of life.Seniors recognized forDakota STEP achievement werechosen based on qualifyingscores and improvement ofscores. Murray LaHood Burnswas recognized for highest combinedscore in math, reading andscience. Also recognized wereseniors Kristofer Baker, StevenBales, Devon BeVier, CourtneyCassen, Brendon Cerveny,Tonisha Hlavka, Molly Hermann,Alyssa Hoffman, Katie Johnston,Sawyer Mathiesen, Lia Meirose,David Owen, Kaitlin Peterson,Casey Papenfuss, Brianna Pratt,Tailer Reimer, Cole Sawyer, TylerSchone, Cassiday Spelbring,Derek Seymour, Karly Simmons,Richard White and Kerry Wilson.The lucky SBHS recipients of money gifts in a random drawing to recognize test scores, are from the left, TonishaHlavka, Sawyer Mathiesen and Devan BeVier. Murray LaHood-Burns, far right, was honored for having the highestcombined test score. The money gifts are the result of a donation to the school from Sturgis ShopkoHometown Store to enhance educational opportunities. Representing Shopko is store manager Gary Callies.<strong>April</strong>-<strong>May</strong> <strong>2013</strong> In Touch 3