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April 2015 (907) 742-1000

Willow Crest News

Hello Willow Crest families! I don’t know about you but I am ready for spring and summer to hit with warm weather and lots of sunshine! As most of you have heard already, we began using our automatic locked door procedures on Thursday, March 5th. I was pleased to hear parents sharing with us their positive thoughts as we work to keep all students safe in our school. Both the doors into the hallway and the one into the office are now locked beginning at 9:15 a.m. To the left of the office door is a button for visitors to push. This alerts the office staff and they will be using the monitor and intercom system to identify visitors prior to unlocking the door for entry. The doors will be locked from 9:15-3:25 daily. Please do not hesitate to contact the office if you have any questions. We have been working diligently in the past couple of weeks to encourage safety in our parking lot, after numerous complaints from our school community. You will notice that there are signs in the parking lot to keep the traffic flow moving around the driveway during the afternoon pick up. Our drive through lane is an essential part of the afternoon picking up of students. If cars continue to move forward as others exit we will be able to get all students to vehicles in front of the school with students entering cars close to the front door. Students have been instructed to get into the vehicles on the RIGHT side of the cars. With the left side of the car being in the drive through, it is not safe for them to open doors on that side. Also, please remember that ALL students and family members must be using the cross walk to get to vehicles in the parking lot. We will begin our state testing beginning in April for grades 3-6. The remaining tests will be done online, with the schedule attached. There will be an English-Language Arts test and a Math test for all students in grades 3-6. Please note that the schedule is very tentative and also that student attendance is critical during the testing times. Our school must meet participation expectations to achieve our goals. As we head into the final weeks of school it looks sunny and spring like outside, please remember that students need to continue coming to school with their appropriate gear and that it's important that everyone is at school each day. Thank you, as always, for sharing your children with us daily.

-Ms. Peterson, Principal

Upcoming Events

March 30-April 23 AMP Testing April 8 PTA Meeting 5:15-6:15 pm; Library April 23 21st CCLC Last day of program April 24 Kindergarten Round Up 5:30-7:30 pm May 2 City Wide Clean Up 10 am-2 pm May 8 Multicultural Night 5:00-7:30 pm; Playground

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Reminders

PTA Meeting: April 8

Come join us for our last PTA meeting of the year and meet the new PTA Board. There is still time to be involved with the PTA for this school year and to receive information on how you can participate for next school year.

21st Century Afterschool Program

Last Day for 21st CCLC is on Thursday, April 23. Please make sure that your child(ren) know how they are getting home on Friday, April 24 at 3:30. If you have any questions, please call Mr. Miller at 742-1019.

Online School Registration for 2015-2016 school year

Online school registration for the 2015-2016 school year for returning students will be open from May 4 through May 29 and then again from July 22 through August 7. You will need your Zangle Parent Connect information to log in. Please contact the office at 742-1000 if you need your PIN and password.

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New Assessment for Students New computer-based test replaces SBAs Students throughout the state of Alaska will be taking a new assessment this spring. Alaska Measures of Progress (AMP) replaces the Standards Based Assessments (SBA).

• Grades 3-10 • Computer-based test

Since students will be using technology to complete the tests, the spring testing schedule is different than in prior years. Parents should use this schedule to plan their family calendar. Attendance on testing days is very important.

For more information about AMP testing, visit www.asdk12.org/ae/amp.

AMP State weeks

3 7 30 10 4 8 6 17 5 9 13 24

6 10 20 May 1

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