Veteran's Day
This year we had our first Veteran's Day assembly to honor the veterans from our Brooks community. Thank you to our veterans for serving our country. We are proud to honor you and we look forward to making this event a Brooks tradition. Thank you to our fifth grade Weblos from Pack 42 and Mr. Steck for helping with the color guard. Big thanks to Mr. Burke and his fifth grade class for your heartfelt thanks to our guests. Thank you to our BPTO for providing the flowers for our veterans.
Canned Food Drive
A big thank you to our Brooks Bobcats and their families for donating to the food drive sponsored by Cub Scout Pack 42 and Girl Scout Troop 71057. The school donated a total of 759 item. Mrs. Foster's Class brought in 209 items, winning the pizza party for the class with the most items donated.
Our scouts ended up with a total of 1,457 items from their school and neighborhoods to donate to Community Sharing. Great job Scouts! Thank you for thinking of your community.
Our scouts ended up with a total of 1,457 items from their school and neighborhoods to donate to Community Sharing. Great job Scouts! Thank you for thinking of your community.
Students of the Month
Congratulations to our November Bobcats of the Month! Thank you for being safe, respectful, and responsible at all times.
M-Step Information
As you may recall, for the first time this past spring, Huron Valley students took Michigan’s new statewide test, the M-STEP exam. We are being told from the state that in the coming month/s, those scores will be available for schools and parents statewide.
After nearly 45 years of the MEAP, Michigan has adopted higher standards for its students in English language arts and mathematics, and the M-STEP was built to see how close our students are to reaching them.
M-STEP requires students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of content and may be challenging for some students. The new test is challenging because it moved beyond bubble sheets and multiple-choice questions and demanded more of our students, therefore, the state expects that this year’s test scores may appear lower than scores on the old test. As a result of the new test and higher expectations, test scores are being used to set a new baseline so that we can better understand student progress. Because this is a different test, measuring different standards, scores should not be compared to scores on the MEAP test. This year's M-STEP data will provide a baseline to which future year’s data can be compared.
Here’s some good news about the new test:
After nearly 45 years of the MEAP, Michigan has adopted higher standards for its students in English language arts and mathematics, and the M-STEP was built to see how close our students are to reaching them.
M-STEP requires students to demonstrate a deeper understanding of content and may be challenging for some students. The new test is challenging because it moved beyond bubble sheets and multiple-choice questions and demanded more of our students, therefore, the state expects that this year’s test scores may appear lower than scores on the old test. As a result of the new test and higher expectations, test scores are being used to set a new baseline so that we can better understand student progress. Because this is a different test, measuring different standards, scores should not be compared to scores on the MEAP test. This year's M-STEP data will provide a baseline to which future year’s data can be compared.
Here’s some good news about the new test:
- Teachers and parents can use student scores to make sure they are working together, supporting each and every student.
- As we learn more about our school’s results, we can make decisions that will improve the supports and services we deliver.
- If this year’s scores are lower, our students won’t be affected in a negative way. These scores will be used to help improve our schools. As students’ level of knowledge and understanding of content aligned to these high standards grows, test results are likely to improve.
Thanksgiving Break
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, there will be no school from Wednesday, November 25 to Friday, November 27. Have a wonderful time with family and friends as you celebrate all you are thankful for each day. Please travel safely to your Thanksgiving destinations and make lifelong memories with your loved ones.
Early Release--December 4
Next Friday, December 4, will be an early release day in Huron Valley. The elementary schedule for the day is as follows:
9:13 Student day begins
11:46 Lunches begin
12:43 Student dismissal
12:50 Bus dismissal
9:13 Student day begins
11:46 Lunches begin
12:43 Student dismissal
12:50 Bus dismissal
Brooks Working to Achieve Title I Schoolwide Status for 2016-17
A schoolwide program is a comprehensive reform strategy designed to upgrade the entire educational program in a Title I school; its primary goal is to ensure that all students, particularly those who are low-achieving, demonstrate proficient and advanced levels of achievement on academic standards. This school wide reform strategy requires that a school do the following:
- Create a planning committee
- Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment
- Identify and commit to specific goals and strategies that address those needs
- Create a comprehensive plan
- Conduct an annual review of the effectiveness of the school wide program and revise the plan as necessary.
Title I Parent Involvement Policy--Part 2
Please take a minute to read over this section of our Parent Involvement Plan. Brooks Elementary is a Title I school and we would love any and all feedback to help us improve our parent involvement practices. If you would like to support with any of our Title I school improvement planning, please let the office know. We are always looking for additional input and feedback to help us best support our students.
Thanks for taking the time to review this portion of our Parent Involvment Plan. Please answer the survey questions below to provide feedback.
Thanks for taking the time to review this portion of our Parent Involvment Plan. Please answer the survey questions below to provide feedback.
Upcoming Events
11-25 Thanksgiving Break (11/25--11/27)
12-4-15 Half-Day (Records Day)
12-7-15 Secret Santa Shop (12-7—12 -11)
12-9-15 BPTO Meeting at 9:15 am
12-18-15 BPTO sponsored Teacher Cookie Exchange
12-21-15 Winter Break (12/21/15--1/1/16)
1-4-16 School resumes
12-4-15 Half-Day (Records Day)
12-7-15 Secret Santa Shop (12-7—12 -11)
12-9-15 BPTO Meeting at 9:15 am
12-18-15 BPTO sponsored Teacher Cookie Exchange
12-21-15 Winter Break (12/21/15--1/1/16)
1-4-16 School resumes