Questions???

 What School Policies should I be aware of?

                                                                  

What is MAP testing?

MAP is a computerized adaptive test that measures the academic level of students in reading, language, and mathematics.  The test produces a score that makes it possible to monitor students’ growth from year to year along a developmental curriculum scale or continuum.  MAP also enables students to take a test that is just right for them-not too hard nor too easy.  Because the test is matched to the student, the scores are more accurate.  The results may be used for focusing instruction for students and for evaluating the overall effectiveness of instructional programs.

How Does MAP Help with Instruction?

A Learning Continuum serves to help guide instruction based on the results of MAP.  The Learning Continuum enhances a teacher’s ability to provide quality instruction by giving a clear snapshot of where the student is in a particular content area.

How much does breakfast and lunch cost?

What is AR?
Accelerated Reader, or AR, is a nationally-recognized, computer-based reading comprehension program developed by Renaissance Learning, Inc. The program and its components are designed to encourage independent reading, build reading comprehension skills, and challenge students to read more difficult books.

Students are evaluated to determine their Zone of Proximal Development, a range of reading levels within which a student can read comfortably with good comprehension. Students select books that are within their range, read them, then take short comprehension tests on a classroom or lab computer when they are ready. The computer automatically scores the tests, reports the results, and keeps track of student progress. Students are encouraged to read within their zone, but may choose above their zone.

Each book is assigned a point value, beginning with a half-point for the easiest books and moving up from there. The points represent the difficulty of the book. Most students will have a point goal, set by the teachers at their grade level, that they will need to achieve during 9 weeks.

Tamarack has over 200,000 tests in their Accelerated Reader database.  Most titles popular with elementary aged children are available in the school library, and are clearly marked with a sticker that matches their reading level. Each book also has a label that identifies it as an Accelerated Reader and it's AR level.  A label inside the back cover of the book defines its point value and exact AR level. In addition, teachers are searching through their classroom libraries to locate AR titles. The Daviess County Public Library's children's section will many books that are ARs.  You can check to see if a book is an AR by going to this web site www.ARBookfind.com

How can you help your child?  Set aside a time each night at home for your child to read. Discuss the book with them as they go along. Praise them when the finish a book, and especially when they do well on tests.

The staff at Tamarack is excited about the Accelerated Reader program. We see it as a fantastic way to encourage reading in our students, build their comprehension skills, and help them on the road to becoming lifelong readers and learners. We view it as a great compliment to the reading program.  The students who are already using Accelerated Reader find it challenging and fun, and they are reading books voraciously, which is what we want all of our students to do.

What is the After School Program (ASP)?

Tamarack offers a daily enrichment program Monday through Friday during the school year that provides after school care for your child.  The ASP’s goal is to offer students a safe, enriching environment during the after school hours of 2:30-5:30 p.m. at a minimal cost.  Students must be registered in the program before they can attend.  No student is allowed to stay without parental signature.  Cost depends on the number of children per family and the number of days attending the ASP.

Fees for After School Program

Shortened school week days figured on daily rate (but not to exceed weekly rate).  Fees are due no later than Friday of each week.

Daily schedule includes:

What do we do on snow days/early dismissals?

Should the schools at anytime dismiss early in the day, ASP care providers will be at the school at the dismissal time and will remain at the school until 5:30 p.m.  Buses and vans with arrive to transport bus/van riding students home.  Anytime school is closed due to a holiday or bad weather, the after-school program will not meet. Please do not call the school for closings.  Watch Cable 74, local TV stations or listen to the radio.

What is the Family Resource Center (FRC)

The West Daviess County Family Resource Center serves students and parents from Tamarack, Burns, and Utica Elementary Schools.  The office is located at Utica Elementary, but all schools receive service regularly.  The FRC helps students and families with problems that may interfere with learning, such as family difficulties, substance abuse, and/or poverty. The FRC goal is to coordinate needed services and make them available to the students and their families.

Coordinator: Christy Dalton      Tamarack Worker:  Tim Crabtree

What does the Family Resource Center do?

Your Family Resource Center is here for you!

Who can go to Preschool?

Head Start/Preschool programs are for children whose families qualify for participation in the school district’s Federal Free Lunch Program and who will be three or fours years old by October 1^st.  The programs feature activities, which help children develop physical, mental, and social skills needed for success in primary school.  Special needs children may also qualify.  For more information please go to www.dcps.org and click on “Parents” and then click on “Preschool-Kindergarten Registration”  If Internet access is not available, this information may be obtained by calling Janet Land at 852-7000.

What is the PTO?
The PTO (Parent, Teacher Organization) is made up of Parents and Teachers that are interested in promoting a dialog between the two groups to assist the school, promote a spirit of cooperation among the parents, students, school authorities, and the faculty, and to encourage parents to take an active part in school affairs.

How do I enroll my child?

I. Students residing within the Daviess County district:                           

1. Parents may only enroll their child in their zoned school.
2. Parents may find their school zone by going to www.dcps.org and clicking on “Parents” and then clicking on “Street Search”  They may access information by school or by street name and number.  If Internet access is not available, this information may be obtained by calling Chuck Green, Director of Student Services at 852-7000.
3. For more information on enrolling your child call your child's zoned school or call Chuck Green, Director of Student Services at 852-7000.

What is GEMs?  GEM - Gifted Education Model

GEM consist of four facets which are community, classroom, school, and home.   This model provides on going services to all students.  Primary students are not formally identified in a gifted program until the fourth grade, however children's special talents are recognized and teachers differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all learners.  Intermediate students are formally identified as gifted in the fourth grade.  Identification may be in one or more of the following areas:  general intellectual ability, specific academic (math and language arts), creativity, visual and performing arts, and leadership.