Five Keys Kicks off CAASPP Testing with schoolwide "prep" rallies!

Testing has officially begun!
 
Southern California kicked off the testing season with a Prep Rally for all staff involved with testing, and Northern California continued the momentum by opened the testing window with schoolwide Prep Rallies for students!

NorCal Highlights:
 
In April 2018, SF Five Keys Community School sites presented school wide prep rallies. The rallies worked to motivate students to prepare and gain a comprehensive understanding of the CAASPP test procedures and encourage daily attendance. It is essential that all designated students test and do their best, and that was the underlying message and purpose of the rallies.  This was also a great opportunity to award students, motivate and encourage them to attend school, and build school spirit. 

The general focus was rallying testers although, all students were invited to attend, participate, & benefit. The general theme of the rally was building toward CAASPP Success. Students were provided gift bags, lunch, informative testing information, and encouraged to participate in a competitive STEM activity. STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The competitive challenge was titled the index card challenge. The goal was to see which site could build the tallest free standing index card tower and the winners receive prizes. This is a great way to help students problem solve, build teamwork and communication skills, and also challenge themselves. 
 
All sites received the same supplies, and had an equal amount of time to build. All SF community sites participated and submitted tower height entries. 

Site Competition Winners: 1st Place: CASC (Tower Height: 9 ft 3 Inches),  2nd Place: MEDA (Tower Height: 6 feet) & 3rd Place: Jericho (Tower Height: 5ft 8in).

STEM activities such as this one, can be used in classes at all levels as ice breakers, attention getters, team builders, quick lesson planners, or monotony breakers. They are especially useful as a tool to unite students and build community in the classroom. These SF Five Keys Community rallies were informative, supportive, and fun. The competition was intense & there were some excellent pictures submitted from the community sites.  So thank you everyone, for reaching out to your students, engaging and including them in the rally process!  Go Five Keys Charter School Students, teachers, and staff. Together we build toward CAASPP Success!  

~Submitted by Mario Silano

SoCal Highlights:
 
The Southern California Prep Rally was a result of the Interim Assessment data analysis conducted by the leadership team. The team identified two main focus areas that could be tackled before Summative Assessments: Increasing Attendance and Developing Test-Taking Skills, with the ultimate goal of the Prep Rally being to bring Five Keys staff together to meet the 95% state participation requirement (#letsmeet).

The event took care of the first part of the goal -- despite the rain and busyness of the season, all groups involved with our CAASPP program were represented! Teachers with eligible test-takers, proctors, workshop facilitators, graders, CAASPP Operations and Instruction team members, and members of the SoCal Leadership team came together to create a plan for our students. (The second part of the goal -- 95% participation -- will be met over the coming weeks!)

The day began with an Interim Assessment Data Gallery Walk and Attendance-O-Meter, where staff reviewed data and shared observations and conclusions. The attendance team generated a list of ideas for student incentives and testing logistics, which were used by the Operations team in planning for Summative Assessments, and the test-taking strategies team created a booklet of test-taking strategies which were shared with students and teachers. Teachers were able to voice concerns directly to those who could make something happen, and reported feeling optimistic, supported, and with a plan.

Other highlights include Steve S. leading a Can-can line of leadership and CAASPP team members to CAASPP Test, CAASPP Test, the latest rendition of Sinatra's New York, New York (thanks, all, for being such great sports!); CAASP-P the Bear making a successful debut, thanks to a mystery principal and his great dance moves; Staff members getting creative with CAASPP Spirit Crafts over a taco bar lunch and churro/flan dessert bar.
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Thanks, all, for a fun and fruitful event. We look forward to celebrating our 95% (or higher) participation rate with you.  

​~Submitted by Kristin Saito