Parents as Partners Messages

Frequently Asked Questions

Danny — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:34:42 GMT

Where do our children spend most of their time?

Why should parents get involved?

What impact does parent involvement have?

What are the major factors in parent involvement?

How do parents’ expectations affect student achievement?

How can I get involved?

Q. Where do our children spend most of their time?

School-age children spend 70% of their waking hours (including weekends and holidays) outside of school
*Time with TV/Video games

Q. Why should parents get involved?

The earlier parents are involved in a child’s educational process, the more powerful the effects. The most effective forms of involvement are those which engage parents in working directly with their children on learning activities at home.

Q. What impact does parent involvement have?

86 % of the general public believes that support from parents is the most important way to improve schools.
Decades of research show that when parents are involved, students have:
Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates.
Better school attendance.
Increased motivation, better self-esteem.
Lower rates of suspension.
Decreased use of drugs and alcohol.
Fewer instances of violent behavior.
Family participation in education was more important to students’ academic success as family socio-economic status.
The more intensely parents are involved, the more beneficial the achievement effects.
The more parents participate in schooling, in a sustained way, at every level – in advocacy, decision-making, and oversight roles as fundraisers and boosters, as volunteers and paraprofessionals, and as home teachers – the better for student achievement.

Q. What are the major factors in parent involvement?

There are three major factors of parental involvement in the education of children:
Parents’ beliefs about activities that are important, necessary, and permissible for them to do with and on behalf of their children.
The extent to which parents believe that they can have a positive influence on their children’s education.
Parents’ perceptions that their children and school want them to be involved.

Q. How do parents’ expectations affect student achievement?

The most consistent predictors of children’s academic achievement and social adjustment are parents’ expectations of the child’s academic attainment and satisfaction with their child’s education at school. Parents of high-achieving students set higher standards for their children’s educational activities than parents of low-achieving students.

Q. How do I get involved?

Parents can become increasingly involved in home learning activities both as role models and as guides to their children. Schools encourage children to practice reading at home with parents. Students who do this make significant gains in reading achievement compared to those who practice only at school. Parents can contribute to student success many other ways.

Establish a daily family routine:
Parents can start by providing a time and quiet place to study, having dinner together as a family, or being firm about bedtime.
Monitor out-of-school activities:
Parents can set limits on TV watching. They can arrange after-school activities, and check up on their children when the children are at home without them.
Model the value of learning, self-discipline, and hard work:
Have conversations with your children, and demonstrate that achievement comes from working hard.
Express high, but realistic, expectations for achievement:
Set goals and standards that are appropriate for a child’s age and maturity. Recognize special talents, and inform friends and family of a student’s successes.
Encourage child’s development/progress in school:
Show interest in a child’s progress at school, help with homework, and stay in touch with teachers and school staff.

Resources for Parents and Teachers

Danny — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:53:20 GMT

Welcome to
Parents As Partners!

A website for parents and teachers who want to help their children.
When parents are involved with their children

Grades improve
Behavior improves
Motivation increases
School attendance goes up

Each new school year is always a brand new adventure. Everyone is excited and probably a little nervous. What will my child’s new teacher be like? Will my child be successful in their new class? How can I help my child be successful through out the year? These may be just a few questions you are asking as your child moves forward in their school career. We hope you will take a few minutes to read this article. We believe it will give a couple of ideas on how you can help your child have a successful start to their new school year. You will also find ideas on how to develop a productive and positive relationship with your child’s teacher. We look forward to having you visit our site often. We will be featuring many of the outstanding events happening at schools throughout Kern County.

This is a Brand New Year
One of the first steps to beginning a successful year is to remember this is a new year and with the new school year comes the opportunity for a brand new beginning. This is an excellent time to review and reevaluate regular routines and implement new strategies to help your child become successful at all areas of getting ready for and participating in their schooling.

The school year does not have to be filled with arguments over completing homework or in debates over bedtime rules. While charts and homework schedules are a good idea, they work best when parents clearly communicate what is expected. It then becomes very important to follow through on those expectations and, if necessary, become a broken record by continuing to repeat the expectations when the debates start. It is important to talk about the homework rules and the daily routines before school starts and most important to enforce these rules consistently.

Children will often reflect the attitude of the parents when it comes to completing projects and other homework assignments. It is very important that parents keep a positive attitude to help encourage their child to do their very best. Emphasizing homework as an opportunity to learn or an opportunity to show their teachers what they know is a much better approach than focusing on the idea that homework is something the child “has to do.”

Start now and make plans, set expectations and communicate these with your child. One thing you can count on is that there will be a variety of surprises and unexpected events that pop-up from time to time. Be ready and think ahead to what different situations may arise and be prepared for any of those surprises. Talk early to your child’s teacher and develop a plan on the best way to talk with the teacher whether it be through some kind of notebook, telephone calls, or through email. Most teachers are very eager to have a way to regularly talk with parents to help each of their students achieve success.

Preparing Children for Their New Adventure
Children may become very nervous or anxious as the new school year starts. Particularly as they start a new grade or have moved to a new school. You as the parent can truly help ease your child into their new situation by helping them feel prepared for the new situation. If your child walks to school or rides their bike, then walk or ride the route with them. If they ride the bus, show your child where the bus stop is and make sure they know the schedule. Also, make sure your child understands how to find the bus after school. Remind them where they are to go after school, whether it is home, to an after school program, or to a babysitter. The new school year also presents your child with a variety of whole new situations, some will be pleasant and some will be difficult. Think ahead to what difficult situations may occur, such as making new friends, and talk with your child about ways to deal with these situations before they occur. The important thing to remember is that your child needs to know they are supported by you, their parent.

Get Involved in Your Child’s Education
Teachers are always very excited about meeting their new students and the new parents. When the school day ends for the students, teachers may just be beginning as they prepare for future lessons or meet with other teachers. It is always best to make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher to introduce yourself and let them know you are there to support your child’s learning. Taking time to meet and introduce yourself and your child to the Principal is also a way to let your child know there are other adults on campus there to help your child. These are especially good ideas to use if your child has special needs or if the family may be going through difficult times such as divorce, an illness or death of family member, or a recent or pending move.

Find ways to get involved more with your child’s education. Schools provide a variety of ways for parents and other adults to volunteer time at the school to help in many activities. Simple activities like listening to other students to read can be extremely valuable for many students who may not have anyone to listen to them. Even with very busy schedules, parents can make a real difference in their child’s education by encouraging them to talk about their day and by listening to the child explain the highlights. This sends the message that you value their education and provides an opportunity for children to use language they are learning in school.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has made standardized test more important than ever. California has developed standards for every grade level and most schools have developed parent handouts or brochures to help parents know what their child will be expected to do by the end of their grade level. By taking time to talk with your child’s teacher about the standards, parents can gain valuable information on what the teacher plans to teach and develop ideas on how to help their child at home in developing the skills they will need to be successful. Playing rhyming games with young children and by encouraging more advanced readers to discuss what they have read is a great way to help your child develop their reading and comprehension skills. Many of these kinds of reading games and activities can be fun and very rewarding to do with your children. Ask your child’s teacher for more ideas that can be done to better help your child.

Immunization Information

Immunization clinic

La clinica de immunizaciones

Articles & Resources

Getting Ready for Kindergarten

Start the School Year Right

Ready for School

Have a Conversation About School

Bullying: How Parents Fight Back

Moving Up to Middle School

What Kids Do Online

MySpace and Facebook: What You Should Know

Parents as Partners picture

Danny — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 16:38:31 GMT

BTS Clinic Dates - Spanish

Danny — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:30:56 GMT

BTS Clinic Dates - English

Danny — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:28:54 GMT

Summer Time in Kern County

Danny — Thu, 07 May 2009 22:53:29 GMT

Preparing Your Child for the California State Tests

Danny — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:38:59 GMT

Springtime brings a change of weather and the excitement of getting outside more to enjoy the beautiful sites of the new season. It also brings what can often be a nerve-wracking experience as schools enter their yearly mandated testing cycle. Each spring schools are required to have their students participate in the Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. The purpose of the STAR program is really two-fold. One purpose is to identify how well students are learning the California Content Standards at their grade level and the other is to measure how well each school is succeeding at delivering their program of instruction.

All students in grades two through eleven participate in the STAR Program each year. Most students take the California Standards Tests (CSTs). Eligible special education students in grades three through eight with disabilities that prevent them from achieving grade level standards on the CSTs may take the California Modified Assessment (CMA). Students with significant cognitive disabilities take the California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA).

Experts agree that parental involvement in a child’s education is a key factor on how well students will achieve. Encouraging children to do their best in school and to complete school assignments well and on time can have a positive impact on children’s learning. The question that is often asked, “How can I help my child do well on state testing?” The question that really must be asked, “How can I help my child succeed in school?” The experiences a child has at home can greatly impact their achievement at school.

Tips for everyday use

Build your child’s confidence. Showing an interest in what they are doing is school can pay huge dividends in building their confidence. Ask them regularly what they did in school and what homework needs to be finished by the next day. Words and gesture of encouragement can increase a child’s self-confidence and make them feel good about themselves and their abilities.

Listen to your child read. Talk to your child about what you are reading. Ask questions and discuss new or difficult words. Spending time together reading books, newspapers, and magazines lets your child know that you value reading and you have confidence in their ability to learn how to read.

Show your child how math is part of everyday life. Have your child solve “real” math problems as you play games, cook a meal, prepare to complete a home project or craft.

Review homework everyday. Make sure your child completes all assignments and have them explain some of their math problems and how they solved them.

Set a time limit on watching television. Watch television with your child and ask them questions about the show they are watching and have them explain and make predictions about what is happening on the show.

Preparing for STAR Testing

Attend information meetings. Many schools have information parent nights concerning the state testing and the school’s results. These nights provide valuable information about how to interpret the results and what the school will be focusing on for the school year. The nights are often followed by special “Parent Reading” and “Parent Math” nights.

Know when the testing dates are. Every spring all schools are required to have their students participate in the STAR Program. Look for the information sent out by your schools and contact them to find out the exact date when your child’s school will be testing. Also, find out what you can do to help make sure your child is prepared.

Make sure your child attends school on testing days, gets a good night sleep, and has a good nutritious breakfast each day before a big test.

Make sure your child understands that the testing procedures during these big tests are different than the tests they are used to taking. Teachers have very specific and strict rules to follow and they may not be able to help them like they might during regular exams.

Discuss the upcoming tests with your child and try to reduce their anxieties about taking the tests. Reassure them that the test results will provide useful information about what they know and what they still need to learn.

Do not set unrealistic expectations. Making comments such as, “This test will be easy. I am sure you will get every question right,” could set your child up for a fall. If your child’s expectations are that the test will be easy and they begin the test and become stumped on the first question, their spirits will be deflated right away and their confidence may be shaken and they may not do well on the rest of the test.

Most important RELAX and help your child to relax before a big test. If a parent is anxious about the test, their child could sense this and develop anxiety about taking the test. A student who is relaxed and with the right measure of confidence will be able to complete the test knowing parts of the test may be difficult and parts may be easy and they will approach each problem in the correct frame of mind.

Creating Healthy Lunches Kids will Eat

Danny — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:06:57 GMT

(From the National Library of Medicine - www.nlm.nih.gov)
A healthy diet helps children grow and learn. It also helps prevent obesity and weight-related diseases, such as diabetes. The following guidelines will help you give your child a nutritious diet:
                                      1. Offer five servings of fruits and vegetables a day
                                      2. Choose healthy sources of protein, such as lean meat, nuts and eggs
                                      3. Serve whole-grain breads and cereals because they are high in fiber
                                      4.   Broil, grill or steam foods instead of frying them
                                      5. Limit fast food and junk food
                                      6.   Offer water and milk instead of sugary fruit drinks and sodas

School lunch time can often bring the stubborn in the pickiest of eaters. Many students would rather not eat than eat a school lunch. Many schools do their best to provide a healthy and nutritious lunch for their students but for generations students have complained about the lunches schools provide. The website School Family (www.schoolfamily.com) offers an alternative in their article “5 Sack Lunches Kids Love.” The article suggests that “fun foods” don’t have to be deep-fried or full of preservatives. Just think small and bite-size, dippable, and varied. Browse through the natural food section of your local grocery store and you will find a lot of healthier products, such as snacks sweetened by only fruit juice or packaged with fewer trans-fat and preservatives.

Here is their list of 5 Sack Lunches Kids Love:

MONDAY: Deconstructed Sandwiches

Instead of buying prepacked sets of crackers, cheese, and deli meats, put together a homemade version. Your child can even help out the night before, picking out the crackers, meat, cheese, and a small dessert. Another fun idea is to use mini cookie cutters (abut the same size as the crackers) to cut the lunch meat slices into fun shapes.

Some options:

Veggie or water cracker rounds

Chicken or turkey deli meat, cut into roughly cracker-size pieces

Part-skim mozzarella or cheddar slices, cut into roughly cracker-size squares

Fruit cup (packed in juice) or unsweetened applesauce

TUESDAY: Grilled Cheese Pockets

As a variation on the standard –panbrowned cheese sandwich, try using a sandwich maker; some machines even make the crispy triangles sealed around the edges. Use whole-grain bread and low-fat or part-skim cheeses, which are healthier than their whole-milk counterparts and melt better than completely fat-free versions. Include a couple of fruit leathers and a handful of baked pita or potato chips in the lunch bag, too.

WEDNESDAY: Turkey-Cran Tortilla Bites

Instead of packing a bulky wrap or burrito, slice up a tightly rolled tortilla and fillings. The trick is to spread all the ingredients evenly, rather than pile them into the middle like in a traditional wrap sandwich. Lay the tortilla flat, then spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce over the whole surface. Top with one layer of lettuce leaves, then with pulled turkey (in smallish pieces) or deli meat slices. Roll tightly, then cut into one- or two-bite pieces, holding each piece closed with kid-safe toothpicks. (For vegetarian kids, try it with a thicker spread of hummus, thin slices of peppers and cucumber, and lettuce.) Toss in a box of raisins and a few animal-shaped crackers on the side.

THURSDAY: Dipping Day

Everything in this lunch is bite-size and gets dunked. Pack them loosely in separate containers for younger children or in rows on “skewers” for older ones.

Chicken nibblers with honey mustard

Baked tortilla chips and tomato salsa

Baby carrots and cut-up celery sticks with light ranch dressing

Sliced apple, banana, and peach with fruit yogurt (or plain yogurt stirred with all-fruit jam)

FRIDAY: Layered Lunch

Turn the traditional sandwich on its head – literally – by piling the halves onto one another. It even works without the crusts! (Just cut them off before building.) This is a great way to liven up old standards like peanut butter and jelly, or try a club sandwich variation. Cut two whole-grain bread slices diagonally in half, then line up the four resulting triangles. Spread a little bit of mustard on the first triangle and top with one piece of deli meat and cheese. On the next triangle, use mayo and a different kind of deli meat. The third triangle gets sliced veggies, such as tomato and cucumber, and lettuce. Stack these three, covering them with the last triangle. Spear the tower with two kid-safe toothpicks and cut in half. Include some pretzel sticks and chopped dried fruit.

For more help on setting up your children for success at school visit www.schoolfamily.com.

Parents Share in Success

Danny — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 22:17:08 GMT

A local example of the power of effective parent communication and parent involvement can be found in East Bakersfield at Voorhies Elementary School. Over the last couple of years, they have implemented a variety of strategies to improve student learning including creating an environment that is respectful and welcoming to parents. They have made a concerted effort to actively and genuinely involve the families of the children they serve for the purpose of improving student learning. Voorhies had been in Program Improvement because of low test scores for four years and because of sanctions imposed by No Child Left Behind, the school needed to develop strategies to improve student learning. By successfully combining all their resources, the staff and families at Voorhies Elementary met all the requirements to exit Program Improvement. They are only one of two schools in Bakersfield (General Shafter being the other) to exit.

Recently, JoBeth Allen was a guest commentator for the Harvard Family Research Project and wrote an article entitled, “Effective Home-School Communication.” In her article she confronts several issues school leaders and teachers face on a daily basis when attempting to communicate with parents. The truth is many schools have a variety of ways they send information to the families they serve. The dilemma is providing parents with information that will impact student learning.

Dr. Allen reports that when we do attempt to communicate with our families, we do not always do so in a manner that would support student learning. She believes schools can create a meaningful dialogue with families when the communication is expanded to go beyond the simple delivery of general information about upcoming events and the like. Communication, she states, that is tailored to the specific and individual needs of the families will resonate and have a greater impact on families to enhance the opportunities for increased family involvement and impact student learning.

She cites research conducted by Henderson and Mapp (2002) to demonstrate the positive impact on student learning when communication is built on the development of a “respectful and trusting” relationship between school staff, families, and community members. Walking on the Voorhies Elementary School campus one can instantly see and feel where research and practice interconnect. The school has built and sustained the type of relationship Dr. Allen suggests. Parents are regularly a part of the school day at Voorhies and it would not be unusual to see parents sitting down with their child at lunch time or participating during a recess activity. Parents are made to feel welcomed and are very much valued at the school cite. Parents are truly made partners in their child’s education and are provided a wide and ongoing range of opportunities to genuinely be involved. Through regularly scheduled “Family Nights,” parents are trained how they can make a difference in improving their child’s academic success level.

For more information on Voorhies Elementary School, please visit their website at:
http://voorhies.bcsd.com

Please also visit the Harvard Family Research Project for more information on increasing family involvement at: http://www.hfrp.org

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Danny — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:42:56 GMT

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Danny — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:41:44 GMT

Lamont Starts 2008-2009 Parent Nights

Danny — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:13:51 GMT

Parents will be given many powerful opportunities to participate in valuable workshops within the Lamont School District to assist their students in their pursuit of academic excellence throughout the 2008/2009 school year. The district has developed a series of workshops to involve parents in areas to assist their children be even more successful at school. The workshops are designed to provide parents with valuable information to develop the academic skills as well as the social skills to be successful as they grow and go beyond the grades at the Lamont School District. The Lamont School District has supported this Parent Program by providing the resources and personnel to make this a valuable program for all their parents at all their schools. Special nights have been set up at each site to meet with parents on topics ranging from School Safety to providing support in all academic areas. The district has assigned Dina Esparza as the Parent Coordinator to facilitate each of the nights at each of the districts four school sites. The focus of the first parent night is on keeping students safe at school and at home. Each school presented their Safe School Plan as well as having additional presenters talk about how to prepare homes in the event of a disaster. Parents were encouraged to make a plan in the event of some kind of emergency. Parents were encouraged to prepare an emergency kit and were given ideas of what should be included in the kit. They were also encouraged to make sure all in the family knew how to get out of their house in the case of a fire and then where they should all meet to let everyone know they were okay.
The Kern County Fire Department also participated in the Parent Night. Representatives talked about several ways to keep children safe. The firefighters talk went well beyond how to protect their children in the event of a fire as they also discussed safety issues such as how to properly secure a child’s car seat and why it is important to cross the street only in designated crosswalks. Overall the night was a huge success with parents very enthusiastic about having the chance to be involved with their child’s school.
The next round of Parent Nights begins on October 16th at Mountain View Middle School and parents will be given ideas on how to help their child in the area of Language Arts.

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Danny — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:17:28 GMT

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Danny — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:16:57 GMT

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Danny — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:06:36 GMT

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Danny — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:49:18 GMT

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Danny — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 21:48:38 GMT

The Beginning of a New School Year – Starting the Year Out Right!

Danny — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:27:29 GMT

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Kathleen White — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 17:17:56 GMT

Partners in Education: Fairview Elementary School, Greenfield School District

Kathleen White — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:40:27 GMT

Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office is proud to present the first article in a series that will highlight parental involvement in a local school. This month we are featuring Fairview Elementary School in the Greenfield School District.

In the fall of 2007 the school's leadership committee created: Teacher guided Parent Nights. The monthly Parent Night at Fairview School has become a place where parents and teachers are active partners in the childrens' education.

Each month a different grade level takes responsibility for organizing and holding the event. Grade level teachers take this opportunity to welcome families and let each parent know that they are a valued member of the school community. Teachers review homework and classroom expectations to give parents a clear understanding of the instructional program and what their child is learning. Teachers and parents are engage in grade-level standards-based learning activities that can be taken home to reinforce concepts currently being taught in the classroom. These activities are designed so that parents can support, encourage and help their child at home. Both mathematics and language arts standards are presented in a student and parent-friendly manner to involve the entire family in the learning process. The sessions, offered in both English and Spanish, begin with the parents watching demonstrations of the educational activity or game. Parents are then given the opportunity to practice using the materials with their own children. In addition, families are given a Homework Dictionary to help with questions that parents may come across when helping their student at home. These are also provided in both English and Spanish.

Parent Night attendance has steadily increased throughout the school year. Parents have stated that they really like getting the information from the teachers and have asked for more subjects to be included in future events. They also enjoy the opportunity to share experiences and connect with other parents. The staff at Fairview Elementary School believe that this is just one way to support parents and families. The teachers and site administrators feel that parental involvement is extremely important to raising academic achievement for all students. Fairview Elementary School Parent Nights are just the beginning of a child's academic success.

Keeping Your Child Safe on the Internet

Kathleen White — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:11:41 GMT

Whatever your age, the Internet - also called the "Net" - is a great place to explore and find information. It's not only fun, but it lets you keep in touch with friends and family and provides an enormous amount of information. There are lots of great educational sites as well as places to keep up with your favorite hobbies, music, sports, and much more.

With the growing popularity of the Internet, there is increased concern about children surfing the Net. The Internet offers many terrific sites and activities for kids to explore, but it also offers sites suitable only for adults.

It's important for you, as parents, to understand the opportunities and dangers available to children on the Internet so you can feel comfortable letting your child explore the on-line world.

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Kathleen White — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:35:32 GMT

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Kathleen White — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 19:34:55 GMT

Vacunas y Requisitos de Salud para Niños

Kathleen White — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:08:41 GMT

Los niños que por primera vez van a la escuela deben de presentar pruebas de haber recibido un exámen físico y de estar al día con sus vacunas, sin esta pruebas no podrán participar del programa escolar.

Cada Escuela solicitará que las familias provean un “REPORTE DE EXAMEN FISICO PARA INGRESAR A LA ESCUELA” llenado y firmado por un doctor.

EXAMEN DE SALUD:

Debe de ser obtenido no antes de los séis meses de empezar el kindergarten o dieciocho meses antes de empezar el primer grado. Debe de incluir los siguientes servicios:

historia de salud y desarrollo del niño – prueba de audición
historia física completa – prueba de orina y de sangre
exámen de dientes y de encías – prueba de tuberculosis
prueba de visión- otras pruebas si fueran necesarias

VACUNAS GRADOS K-12:
Para entrar o transferirse a escuelas primarias o secundarias, públicas o privadas (grados k-12), los niños menores de 18 años deben de haber recibido las vacunas de acuerdo a la lista que sigue a continuación:

VACUNA	DOSIS REQUERIDA
Polio	4 dósis a cualquier edad pero... 3 dósis cumplen los requisitos para edades de 4–6 años si por lo menos una fue recibida en o después del 4to. cumpleaños ; 3 dósis cumplen lo requisitos para edades de 7–17 años si por lo menos una de ellas fue recibida en o después del 2do. cumpleaños.
Difteria, Tetano, y Pertussis 6 años y menores de 6 (Se requiere Pertussis) DTP, DTaP u otra combinación de DTP o DT 7 años y mayores de 7 (No se requiere Pertussis) Td, DT, o DTP u otra combinación 7th Grado: Refuerzo de Td	5 dósis a cualquier edad, pero... 4 dósis cumplen los requisitos para edades de 4–6 años si por lo menos una fue recibida en o después del 4to.cumpleaños. 4 dósis a cualquier edad, pero...3 dósis cumplen los requisitos para edades de7–17 años si al menos una de ellas fue recibida en o después del 2do cumpleaños. Si la última dósis fue recibida antes del 2do cumpleaños, se requerirá una dósis mas de Td.
Sarampión, Paperas, Rubeola (MMR) Kindergarten 7th Grado	1 dósis no es requerida pero si recomendada si hubieran pasado mas de 5 años desde la última dósis de DTP, DTaP, DT, o Td. 2 dósis ambas en o después del 1er cumpleaños 2 dósis ambas en o después del 1er cumpleaños 1 dósis en o después del 1er cumpleaños
Hepatitis B: Kindergarten 7th Grado	3 dósis a cualquier edad 3 dósis a cualquier edad
Varicella: Kindergarten Niños de fuera del estado (grados 1-12)	1 dósis 1 dósis para niños menores de 13 años; se necesitan 2 dósis si las vacunas se recibieron en o después del 13 cumpleaños.

COMO Y DONDE OBTENER LOS SERVICIOS:

Si su niño recibe Medi-Cal o el ingreso de su familia es menor que el 200% del Nivel Federal de Pobrezal, su niño podría ser elegible para recibir VACUNAS Y EXÁMENES GRATUITOS. Su niño deberá ir a una de las CLINICAS O DOCTORES CERTIFICADOS POR EL PROGRAMA CHDP de la lista de recursos al pie de esta página. Si usted tiene Medi-Cal, llame a su doctor para una cita. Si su niño no es elegible para exámenes gratuitos, llame a su Pediatra, médico de la familia o a su RECURSO USUAL DE CUIDADOS MEDICOS. (Se cobrará la tarifa usual.)

Si su niño no es elegible para recibir exámenes gratuitos pero todavía necesita otras vacunas y usted no tiene los fondos para pagar por ellas, llame al DEPARTAMENTO DE SALUD PUBLICA DEL CONDADO al (661) 868-0305 y solicite información acerca de clínicas que ofrecen servicios de inmunización.

EXONERACIONES
La ley permite que (a) padres/guardianes elijan ser exonerados de inmunizaciones basado en creencias personales, y (b) a los doctores de los niños por razones médicas. La ley no permite que padres/guardianes elijan una exoneración simplemente por inconveniencia (documentación perdida o incompleta y por que es mucho trabajo ir al doctor o a la clínica a corregir el problema). Vea la parte de atrás de la forma azul Record de Inmunizaciones para Escuelas de California (PM 286) para informarse sobre las instrucciones y el affidávit a ser firmado por los padres/guardianes cuando elijan exoneración en base a creencias personales. Para niños con exoneración médica, la declaración del medico deberá ser engrampada al CSIR. Las Escuelas deberán de mantener la lista de estudiantes exonerados al día para que en caso de alguna epidemia estos puedan ser evacuados inmediatamente.

SI USTED TIENE PREGUNTAS ACERCA DE REQUISITOS PARA ENTRAR A LA ESCUELA:
Llame a su distrito escolar para mayor información sobre los requisitos para entrar a la escuela. Llame a al programa CHDP del Departamento de Salud si necesitara mas información acerca de exámenes de salud o si no pudiera obtener un exámen para su niño: (661) 868-0305 o (800) 974-2717.

Para recursos adicionales o para información en Español, usted puede visitar las siguientes páginas web presionando la llave de control y luego la de “ingreso” a los siguientes enlaces:

Health Requirements for Kindergarten/First Grade School

http://www.co.kern.ca.us/health/schoolentrypacket.asp

Guide to the Requirements of the California School Immunization Law for
Parents of Children In or Entering School or Childcare (Parent Guide_English & Parent Guide_Spanish)

Report of Health Examination (English & Spanish)

Waiver of Health Examination For School Entry Health Waiver in English and Spanish (English & Spanish)

Ayudando a Su Hijo a Tener Exito en la Escuela

Kathleen White — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:01:40 GMT

Bienvenidos al año escolar 2008 2009! El comienzo del Nuevo Año es la oportunidad perfecta de pensar acerca de cómo usted puede ayudar a su niño/a a tener éxito en la escuela. Siendo usted su primer/a y más importante maestro/a, es imperativo que usted trabaje con la escuela de su niño/a estableciendo una conexión que dure toda la vida.

Las investigaciones prueban consistentemente que el alto rendimiento de un estudiante y su estima personal positiva están directamente relacionados a la participación de los padres en la educación de sus hijos. Sin embargo, a pesar que los estudios muestran que los padres quieren participar de la educación de sus hijos, la mayoría de las veces no saben como hacerlo. Esta es una realidad especialmente en el caso de padres que trabajan durante el día. Entonces, la pregunta mas lógica de hacerse es “Qué puedo hacer para ayudar a mi hijo/a a tener éxito en la escuela?”

Conviértase en Socio del Maestro de su hijo/a!

1. Establezca un buena relación con el maestro de su hijo/a

Conozca al maestro/a de su hijo/a ~ hágale saber que usted quiere ayudar a su hijo/a a aprender
Dígale al maestro/a lo que necesita saber de su hijo/a
Pregunte al maestro/a si se comunica con padres via e-mail
Averigue que expectativas de aprendizaje tiene el maestro/a de sus alumnos

2. Planee mantenerse informada acerca de eventos de la clase y de la escuela durante el año escolar

Participe de reuniones de padres de familia
Chequee regularmente la página web de la escuela
En su casa cree un lugar especial para guardar todas las comunicaciones de la escuela
De ser posible visite la clase de su hijo/a durante el horario escolar

3. Participe de las conferencias padres-maestros

Esté preparado para escuchar así como para hablar
Antes de la reunión, escriba las pregunta o comentarios que pueda tener
Tome notas y pida explicaciones de lo que no entiende

Ayude a su hijo/s a Estudiar

Converse con su hijo/a diariamente acerca de las tareas asignadas, revíselas y haga preguntas. No haga las tareas de sus hijos. He aquí algunas ideas:

Cree un área tranquila y con buena iluminación donde su hijo/a pueda estudiar y hacer sus tareas
Mantenga una caja con lápices, plumas y papel
Desarrolle con su hijo/a un horario para las tareas

Las tareas refuerzan el conocimiento y las habilidades que sus niños estan aprendiendo en la escuela. La mayoría de los maestros asignan tareas regularmente por que la práctica es necesaria antes que los niños puedan entender totalmente nuevos conceptos.

Lea Con Su Niño/a

Haga de la lectura una prioridad mostrando a su niño/a lo importante que es leer cada día y hacer tiempo para leer en el hogar. Lea a su niño/a y deje que le lea a usted también. Esta es una forma de desarrollar el amor por la lectura. Sea un modelo de lectura dejando que su niño/a lo vea leer y lo escuche hablar acerca de los libros y revistas que usted lee. Esté seguro de tener libros y revistas a la disposición de sus niños. Mantenga una canasta de libros en la sala familiar, cocina, o en el dormitorio de sus niños, de esa manera usted estará alentando la lectura.

Los niños pasan aproximadamente 1,000 horas al año en la escuela. Ayudando a sus niños a disfrutar del aprendizaje y a tener éxito en la escuela es una meta importante de los padres, familias y escuelas. El Superintendente Estatal de Instrucción Pública, Jack O'Connell, recientemente ofreció una Lista de Cosas Por Hacer para los padres de familia, para ayudarlos a que sus hijos tengan éxito en la escuela - Lista de Cosas Por Hacer para Padres ("Parent To-Do List for Back to School_2008"). El dijo, "Espero que estas sugerencias se mantengan durante el año escolar de tal manera que el aprendizaje parezca mas una aventura que un reto."

Instill a Love of Learning

Kathleen White — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 18:40:57 GMT

Instill a Love of Learning

Talk with your child about what they are learning at school. From kindergartner to high school senior, it's important to ask students about their school subjects. Ask questions that can't be answered with a "yes" or "no." Also, talk with your child about the things you do everyday. Trips to the grocery store, post office, and bank can all be learning opportunities that you can share with the entire family.

Take your children to special places with you and talk about what you see!

Take a drive to the coast and discover the tidal pools along the pacific coast highway. Plan your trip with these two references: Tidal Pools of Cayucos Beach; Watchable Life - Tide Pools .
Drive up scenic highway 65 and discover the home to some of the oldest living things on earth - giant sequoia trees in the Sequoia National Park.
Continue on the General's Highway and visit Kings Canyon National Park the home of the General Grant Tree.
Or stay close to home and visit the Kern County Museum or the California Living Museum for memorable family activities year round.

Encourage your child to be a life-long learner. Talking to your child about the future helps them to begin thinking about higher educational goals. Plan to attend the annual Kern County College Night with your high school student to answer the question: "Which college or university is right for me?". This year's event, Kern County College Night 2007 is on Tuesday, September 11th at the Rabobank Convention Center in Bakersfield.

Children spend about 1,000 hours per year in school. Helping your child enjoy learning and being successful in school is an important goal for parents, families, and schools. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell, recently offered a to-do list for parents to help children succeed in school (Parent To-Do List for Back to School_2007). As he stated, "I hope that these suggestions will be sustained throughout the school year so learning will feel more like an adventure instead of a challenge."

bookstack with apple

Kathleen White — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 23:18:13 GMT

Helping Your Child Succeed in School

Kathleen White — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 19:48:40 GMT

En español ~ Ayudando a Su Hijo a Tener Exito en la Escuela

Welcome to the 2008-2009 school year! As the new year begins it is the perfect time to think about how you might help your child succeed in school. As your child's first and most important teacher, it is important that you work with your child's school to build a partnership that will last a lifetime.

Research has consistently proven that high student achievement and positive self esteem is directly related to the parents participation with their child's education. However, even though studies show that most parents want to be involved in their child's education, they often are not sure how to get involved. This is especially true when parents work during the school day. So the question becomes "What can I do to best help my child succeed in school?"

Become a Partner with Your Child's Teacher

Build a good relationship with your child's teacher
- Meet your child's teacher ~ let them know that you want to help your child learn
- Tell teachers what they need to know abut your child
Plan to stay informed of classroom and school events throughout the school year
- Attend parent group meetings
- Check the school's website on a regular basis
- Create a special place at home to keep all of the communication sent home from your child's school
Attend parent-teacher conferences
- Be prepared to listen as well as talk
- Write out any questions or comments that you have prior to the meeting
- Take notes and ask for an explanation about things that you do not understand

Help Your Child Study

Talk to your child each day about the homework assigned, review it and ask questions about it, but do not do your child’s homework for him or her. A few ideas include:

Create a quiet, well-lit study area for homework

Keep a box for school supplies such as pencils, paper, and pens
Develop a homework schedule with your child

Read with Your Child

Make reading a priority by letting your child know how important it is to read every day and set aside a specifice time for home reading. Read to your child and let your child read to you. This is a great way to help develop a love of learning. Be a reading role model by letting your child see you read and hear you talk about your books or magazines. Make sure that there are children's books and magazines available for your child. Keep a basket of books in the family room, kitchen, or your child's bedroom to encourage him or her to read.

Children spend about 1,000 hours per year in school. Helping your child enjoy learning and being successful in school is an important goal for parents, families, and schools. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O'Connell, recently offered a to-do list for parents to help children succeed in school ("Parent To-Do List for Back to School_2008"). As he stated, "I hope that these suggestions will be sustained throughout the school year so learning will feel more like an adventure instead of a challenge."

vacc

KCSOS Webteam — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 23:17:33 GMT

Immunization and Health Requirements for Children

KCSOS Webteam — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 18:20:50 GMT

En español ~ Vacunas y Requisitos de Salud para Niños

Children beginning school for the first time must show proof that they have received a health examination and immunizations, before they can attend school.

Each school will ask that a “REPORT OF HEALTH EXAMINATION FOR SCHOOL ENTRY” form be brought to school, completed and signed by a doctor.

THE HEALTH EXAMINATION:
Must be obtained no earlier than six months before entering kindergarten or eighteen months before entering first grade. Must include the following services:

a health and development history - a hearing test
a complete physical history - urine and blood screening test
an examination of teeth and gums - a tuberculosis skin test
a vision test - other tests if needed

GRADES K-12 IMMUNIZATIONS:
To enter or transfer into public and private elementary and secondary schools (grades kindergarten through 12), children under age 18 years must have immunizations as outlined below.

VACCINE

Polio

Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis

Age 6 years and under (Pertussis is required) DTP, DTaP or any combination of DTP or DT
Age 7 years and older (Pertussis is not required) Td, DT, or DTP, DTaP or any combination
7th Grade: Td booster

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

Kindergarten
7th Grade

Hepatitis B:

Kindergarten
7th Grade

Varicella: Kindergarten

Out-of-state entrants (grades 1-12)

REQUIRED DOSES

4 doses at any age, but... 3 doses meet requirement for ages 4–6 years if at least one was given on or after the 4th birthday; 3 doses meet requirement for ages 7–17 years if at least one was given on or after the 2nd birthday.

5 doses at any age, but... 4 doses meet requirements for ages 4–6 years if at least one was on or after the 4th birthday.

4 doses at any age, but... 3 doses meet requirement for ages 7–17 years if at least one was on or after the 2nd birthday. If last dose was given before the 2nd birthday, one more (Td) dose is required.

1 dose not required but recommended if more than 5 years have passed since last DTP, DTaP, DT, or Td dose.

2 doses both on or after 1st birthday.
2 doses both on or after 1st birthday.
1 dose must be on or after 1st birthday.

3 doses at any age
3 doses at any age

1 dose
1 dose for children under 13 years; 2 doses are needed if immunized on or after 13th birthday.

If your child is on Medi-Cal or your family income is lower than 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, your child may be eligible for a FREE EXAMINATION AND IMMUNIZATIONS. The child must go to one of the CHDP PROGRAM CERTIFIED PHYSICIANS OR CLINICS listed in the resources at the bottom of this page. If you have Medi-Cal, call your Primary Care Physician for an appointment. If your child is not eligible for a free examination, call your family doctor, pediatrician, or USUAL SOURCE OF MEDICAL CARE. (The usual fee will be charged.)

If your child is not eligible for a free examination but still needs more immunizations and you cannot afford them, call the KERN COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH at (661) 868-0305 to ask about immunization clinics.

EXEMPTIONS
The law allows (a) parents/guardians to choose an exemption from immunization requirements based on their personal beliefs, and (b) physicians of children to elect medical exemptions. The law does not allow parents/guardians to elect an exemption simply because of inconvenience (a record is lost or incomplete and it is too much trouble to go to a physician or clinic to correct the problem). See the back of the blue California School Immunization Record (PM 286) for instructions and the affidavit to be signed by parents/guardian selecting the personal beliefs exemption. For children with medical exemptions, the physician's written statement should be stapled to the CSIR. Schools should maintain an up-to-date list of pupils with exemptions, so they can be excluded quickly if an outbreak occurs.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHOOL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Call your school district office for more information about your district’s requirements. Call the Health Department’s CHDP Program if you need more information about health examinations or are unable to obtain an examination for your child: (661) 868-0305 or (800) 974-2717.

Also, for additional resources, or for information in Spanish, you can visit the following websites by clicking on the control key and then “enter” for these links:

Health Requirements for Kindergarten/First Grade School Entry (Spanish)

Guide to the Requirements of the California School Immunization Law for Parents of Children In or Entering School or Childcare (English & Spanish)

Patient's Guide to CHDP Providers (English only)

Report of Health Examination For School Entry (English & Spanish)

Waiver of Health Examination For School Entry (English & Spanish)

rcar

KCSOS Webteam — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:45:41 GMT

fam

KCSOS Webteam — Wed, 23 May 2007 22:44:17 GMT

cashforcollege06

KCSOS Webteam — Fri, 02 Feb 2007 17:09:58 GMT

parentproject06

KCSOS Webteam — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:48:21 GMT

Parent Project

Cash for College

KCSOS Webteam — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 23:40:04 GMT

Wondering how to fund a college education? Good news!

The California Student Aid Commission is sponsoring Cash for College workshops to help Kern County students get the financial aid they need to attend college.

The Kern County Cash for College Consortium will be providing a series of workshops designed to help make financial aid more accessible and affordable by simplifying the filing process. Workshops will be ongoing until March 1 at various sites throughout the county. Consortium members will be available at each workshop to help students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Grade Point Average (GPA) Verification Form, which are necessary to apply for Cal Grants and other financial aid.

Students who have at least a 2.0 GPA and submit the FAFSA and GPA Verification Form by March 2, 2007 can receive as much as $9,700 in Cal Grants for college each year without the worry of paying back the funds. You can access the FAFSA and GPA Verification Forms through the Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office website at: http://learning.kern.org/calsoap/aid.

Additionally, the local Consortium will be providing as many as 60 scholarships in amounts ranging from $1,000-to-$5,000 to local graduating seniors who have at least a 2.0 GPA and who demonstrate financial need. The deadline to apply for these scholarships is April 1, 2007 and forms are available at the California Student Opportunity and Access Program (Cal-SOAP) Web site at: http://learning.kern.org/calSOAP.

The 2007 Cash for College Workshops in Kern County are scheduled for:

Feb. 1: Bakersfield High School, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Feb. 7: Kern Valley High School, 6:30-8:30 p.m. (Lake Isabella)
Feb. 8: Tehachapi High School, 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Feb. 18: Delano High School, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
Feb. 24: Police Activities League, 10:00 a.m.-noon @301 E. 4th St., Bakersfield
Feb. 25: Nueva High School, Lamont, 12:00-2:00 p.m.
March 1: University Sq., 2000 K. St., 6:00-8:00 p.m.

For more information or details, please contact: Frank Ramirez (661) 654-3248, or Katie Tremper (661) 636-4420

Getting Off to a Great Start

KCSOS Webteam — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 18:50:58 GMT

Helping Your Child Succeed in School

As the 2006-07 school year begins it is the perfect time to think about how you might help your child succeed in school. Research has consistently proven that high student achievement and self-esteem are closely related to parent participation in education, and therefore, parents and schools need to work together to ensure that success. Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher, and it is important that all parents build and keep strong ties to their child’s school. But even though studies show that most parents want to be involved in their child’s education, they may not be sure how to go about it, especially if, like most parents, they work during the school day. So the question becomes “What can I do to best help my child succeed in school?”

What do I do first?

Learn everything you can about your child’s school. Ask for a school handbook, and if there isn’t one, talk with the principal or your child’s teacher about what classes are required, the expectations for student learning, and the school’s rules and regulations. Ask if the school has a Web site and, if so, check it regularly to keep yourself updated on the latest events and schedules. Try to stay informed throughout the school year by attending parent group meetings or getting the minutes of those meetings from another parent, or from the school’s website. If possible, visit your child’s classroom during the school day to get an idea of what your child does at school and how he or she interacts with other children. Tell teachers what they need to know abut your child, and if he or she has special needs, make these known from the very beginning. Also ask the teacher if he/she communicates with parents through e-mail.

What if my child has a problem with school?

Report cards are one indication of how well your child is doing in school, but you also need to know how things are going between report cards. Make it clear that if the teacher sees a problem developing, you want to hear about it immediately. Although schools have a responsibility to keep you informed about your child’s progress, you may figure out that a problem exists before the teacher does. Contact the teacher as soon as you suspect that your child is having a problem with his/her schoolwork. By alerting the teacher, you can work together to solve a problem in its early stages. Request a meeting with the teacher, and tell him/her briefly why you want to meet. It is best to try to work out the problem with the teacher before going to the principal with it.

How do I get the most out of parent-teacher conferences?

Be prepared to listen as well as to talk. It is helpful to write out any questions or comments that you have prior to the meeting. Be prepared to take notes and ask for an explanation about things that you do not understand. The teacher should offer specific details about your child’s work and progress. Talk with the teacher about any specific concerns and tell him/her if you think your child needs special help, or if there are family situations or events that might affect your child’s ability to learn.

How can I help my child with homework?

Homework helps to reinforce the knowledge and skills that your child is learning in school. Most teachers assign homework on a regular basis because practice is needed before children can fully understand new concepts. Find out how much and what type of homework the teacher usually assigns and how students are expected to prepare it and turn it in. Also find out what students are to do when they don’t understand something assigned for homework. Help your child develop a homework schedule. Talk to your child each day about the homework assigned, review it and ask questions about it, but do not do your child’s homework for him/her. Finally, try to provide a quiet place for your child to study that is away from distractions such as the TV, phone or loud music.

What else can I do at home to help my child be successful in school?

Research studies have shown that children tend to do the same things as their parents do. What you say and do in your daily life can help your child develop positive attitudes toward school and learning. Showing your child that you value education provides him/her with a powerful role model. Therefore, have high expectations for your child’s learning and behavior. Praise and encourage him/her, emphasizing effort and achievement and be a role model for getting work done before play. Establish rules and routines in the home in regard to television viewing and video game/computer playing. Additionally, model good TV viewing habits and watch TV with your child so that you can talk with him/her about what is being viewed. Make your child responsible for getting up and ready to go to school each morning. Sometimes a checklist can help him/her to remember what needs to be done. Finally, if you don’t do anything else, read to your child or have him/her read to you every day.

Additional free resources:
U.S. Dept. of Education Websites: http://www.edpubs.org and http://www.ed.gov/parents/academic/help

reportcard

KCSOS Webteam — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 18:49:48 GMT

Report Card

boyatdesk

KCSOS Webteam — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:52:24 GMT

Boy at Desk

girlatdesk

KCSOS Webteam — Fri, 28 Jul 2006 16:51:47 GMT

Girl at Desk

targetreadingicon

KCSOS Webteam — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 23:51:44 GMT

Target Reading is Out of this World

bookblasticon

KCSOS Webteam — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 23:51:17 GMT

Book Blast Icon

summerreadingmascot

KCSOS Webteam — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 23:50:55 GMT

Summer Reading Mascot

Summer Reading Programs Improve Student Learning!

KCSOS Webteam — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 23:39:51 GMT

Studies have shown that, without a doubt, summer reading programs help students to do better in school. Stephen Krashen, in The Power of Reading, talks about these facts:

Children read more when they see other people reading.
The longer free, voluntary reading is done the greater the academic improvement
People who read more, write and spell better.
Outstanding high school writers reported extensive summer reading.
If children read one million words a year, at least one thousand words will be added to their vocabulary. (One study found this could easily be accomplished by letting children and teens read any format reading material they wanted, including comic books and teen romances.)

Great News Kern County Parents!

Summer is the perfect time to pick up a new book and read. There are a number of reading programs for your children this summer, both locally and on-line. Check out what’s available and you might find a program that will work for you and your children.

The Kern County Museum Presents…Book Blast!

A family festival centered around books and literacy sponsored by the Kern Reading Association. Students presenting completed reading logs at the gate can get their whole family into the Museum for a variety of summer activities. Book Blast features costumed readers and characters like Clifford and Little Critter, arts and crafts, clowns, magicians and plenty of fun. Children can earn tickets for each story heard. The tickets are good for great prize drawings. Come as your favorite book character and get an extra chance to win a prize. Admission is FREE from 10-12. Some refreshments will be available at no charge; others available at a minimal charge.

Event Date: Saturday, July 14, 2007
Hours: 10:00am - 1:00pm

Call 661-852–5000 to find out where to get your free reading log and begin your summer reading adventure.

The Kern County Library is sponsoring a summer reading program program: Get a Clue @ Your Library!

A child reads 10 Books
A parent records the child’s reading on a Get a Clue Reading Record
The signed reading record is returned to the library by Saturday, July 28, 2007 and the child receives a free paperback book provided by the Friends of Kern County Library.

Many of the library branches are also having other fun-filled programs of their own this summer. The Beale Branch, for example is sponsoring Family Fun Nights that will include guest readers, comedians and singers that the entire family will enjoy. For more information on the activities of the Kern County Library Branch nearest you, go to: http://www.kerncountylibrary.org/ .

Also enjoy Dial a Story (868-0794) or En Español (868-0798).

Target Stores and Reading is Fundamental present:

Reading Planet Grand Prix, in conjunction with the Scholastic Summer Reading Buzz.

This summer, RIF’s Riffington is competing in the Reading Planet Grand Prix. In order to get to the finish line, Riffington and his pit crew must read 200,000 books and log them into the Scholastic Reader Meter by September 3, 2007. Meet Riffington and learn how to join his pit crew at: http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/content/summer_reading_07.mspx.

Kids can enter to win amazing prizes, including a family vacation to Orlando, FL from American Airlines and AA Vacations. They will also be reading for a good cause, because for every 4 books they read, Scholastic will donate 1 book to RIF, up to 50,000 books!
Kids just need to read, read, and read all summer long! After you read a book, feed Scholastic's Reader Meter by adding the book to your Scholastic Buzz Log.
On your mark...... Get set…… READ!

For more ideas on getting kids connected to reading this summer, visit these websites:

Family Education Network: http://www.kidsource.com
A note from State Superintendent of Instruction, Jack O’Connell about Summer Reading: http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr05/yr05rel78.asp
California State Department of Education’s list of literature for specific grade levels: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/litlinks.asp
http://www.readwritethink.org/beyondtheclassroom/summer/
http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/read/107659.htm

Contact Us

KCSOS Webteam — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 23:47:42 GMT

Kathleen White
661-636-4635
kawhite@kern.org

statetestingimage

KCSOS Webteam — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 23:45:14 GMT

State Testing

State Testing: Questions and Answers for Parents

Cathie Poochigian — Fri, 03 Mar 2006 22:44:53 GMT

What is the STAR Program and what is its purpose?

The Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program is an important part of the California assessment system. The purpose of the STAR is to measure how well students are learning the knowledge and skills in the California content standards. All students must participate in the STAR Program unless their parents or guardians have submitted written requests to excuse them.

NOTE: It is very important that all students participate in STAR testing as each and every school in California is to have a 95% participation rate in its statewide assessments to meet federal accountability requirements.

The test components that make up the STAR can be used for different purposes, such as:

1. As a tool to help parents, guardians and teachers work together to improve student learning.
2. As a tool to help schools and districts identify their strengths and areas that need improvement in their educational programs.
3. To better enable the public and policyholders to hold public schools accountable for student learning.

What are the parts to the STAR and to which students do they apply?

The STAR Program consists of four parts, but some parts are only for certain children:

• The California Standards Tests (CSTs): This portion of the STAR program is based on California State Standards which describe what students at each grade level should be able to do in English-language arts, mathematics, history-social science, and science. The CSTs measure how much students know about the content standards for their grade. Includes: Multiple Choice (grades 2-11) and Writing (grades 4 and 7 only).
• The California Achievement Test/6th Edition (CAT/6) (grades 3 and 7 only):
This portion of the STAR is a multiple choice test that assesses the knowledge of students in key subjects that are commonly taught in schools throughout the nation. The scores produced by the CAT/6 are compared with how well students performed on the same test nationally.
• The California Alternate Performance Assessment (CAPA) (students with disabilities only): This test is only given to students with severe cognitive disabilities who are not able to take the regular CSTs. It measures how well the students can perform on tests that are based on alternate standards. Only students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs) that state that the CAPA is the appropriate form of STAR assessment may take the CAPA.
• The Aprenda 3 (English Learners only)
This version of the STAR is given in Spanish and tests general knowledge in key subject areas. The Aprenda 3 is given only to students who have been in a U.S. public school for a year or less.

What about students with special needs?

Some students with disabilities and English learners may need assistance when taking the tests.

1. Students with disabilities:
Assistance may include test variations, accommodations, and modifications.

a) Test variations: these changes are considered Level I variations and may be used by any student if regularly used in their everyday classroom. This might include special lighting or being tested separately. Level 1 variations do not change what the test was meant to assess.

b) Test accommodations: eligible students are permitted to take the STAR test with Level 2 accommodations if the student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan specifies their use on the CSTs or other tests. Level 2 accommodations change the way the test is given but do not change what is tested. Examples might include using Braille or large print for students who are visually impaired.

c) Test modifications: Level 3 modifications change what is being tested, and can only be used by students who have the modifications specified in their IEP or Section 504 Plan for use in their daily classroom experience. Examples of modifications include having a story read to a student, when he/she was to read it without assistance.

2. English Learners
English learners may have certain test variations if these variations are regularly used by them in the classroom. A translation glossary or word list would be examples of what an English Learner might be able to use to help them take the STAR test.

For a complete explanation of testing variations, accommodations and modifications, please refer to the following web address: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sa. If, as a parent or guardian, you are not sure how your child should or will participate in the STAR testing, it is best to contact your child’s teacher for further information.

Where can I find samples of questions that might be on the STAR test?
Although this year’s test questions are strictly held securely until the test is given, the state has outlined the numbers and types of CST questions that your child will be given when taking the STAR test. This information can be found at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/blueprints.asp.

In addition, the state has released sample questions from previous year’s STAR test administrations, if you or your child would like to review them prior to testing. The released questions can be found at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/resources.asp.

Suggestions to Help Your Child in school:

• Make sure your child is in school on time—everyday.
• Let your child know how important their work at school is.
• Provide a quiet place for your child to do homework.
• Listen to your child read and read to and with him or her.
• Ask about what homework is due the next day.
• Encourage your child to write—lists, notes, letters, journals.
• Set a limit on television watching.
• Show your child how you use mathematics on a daily basis.
• Help your child read charts and graphs in newspapers and magazines.

How Can Parents Help Their Child Do Better on Tests?

• Find out and post the testing dates at home.
• Encourage your child to do well on tests.
• Ask your child’s teacher about the tests he/she will take and discuss the upcoming tests with your child to try to reduce anxiety.
• Make sure your child attends school on testing days after a good night’s sleep and a breakfast.

For more information specifically related to the STAR testing program at your child’s school, contact your child’s teacher, or your school’s principal.

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