ACADEMICS

Our certified teachers deliver an academic program that is aligned with the Pennsylvania Core Standards, including project-based learning and opportunities for collaboration, and creative arts integration. As a Title 1 school, we implement a variety of intervention programs that support the development of a solid foundation in reading and mathematics.

Reading & Writing Programs

Curriculum Associates, i-Ready, K-5: In the 2020-21 school year, we started using i-Ready as our primary reading comprehension program. This blended learning option includes a diagnostic, self-paced lessons and teacher-assigned lessons. Each student also has a workbook.
Writing: Writing is infused into all subjects, and supported by our supplemental writing program offered through Mystery Science.

Mathematics Programs

Curriculum Associates, i-Ready, K-5: Our Math curriculum resource is the Ready Mathematics program. This blended learning option includes a diagnostic, self-paced lessons and teacher-assigned lessons. Students are encouraged to complete lessons online during Encore period or at home, to earn stars on their classroom chart and associated rewards. Each student also has a workbook. Students learn math computation, with a focus on problem-solving and math vocabulary to further develop mathematical reasoning skills.

Social Studies

Our Social Studies curriculum was developed according to the PA Core Standards. Teachers design collaborative, project-based lessons to engage student learning. The Social Studies and Science curriculum is supplemented with a variety of resources, including Mystery Science, Discovery Education and BrainPop to name a few.

Science

Our Science curriculum is being updated to the New STEEL Standards. Lessons are hands-on, interactive projects supplemented by lessons from the online platform, Mystery Science. click the link to view the contents and skills taught at each grade level:

Science STEELS Curriculum

Assessment Plan

Universal Screening

i-Ready Online Diagnostic:
These tests are administered 3 times each year in Reading and Math: Fall, Winter and Spring. Students wear headphones with their school-assigned iPad or Chromebook to take these assessments, in shorter intervals for the younger grades.
Brigance:
Brigance is an assessment tool for early learners, conducted in the early fall, during kindergarten screening.
ACCESS WIDA Screener:
This screening is for students who speak another language in school and/or in the home. The goal is to determine if supplementary language development instruction is required. Students who qualify are invited to participate in our English Language Development program, receiving additional instruction in language: reading, writing, speaking and listening. The amount of time spent in our ELD program varies according to the level of need.
Oral Reading Fluency:
This 1:1 reading assessment is administered in the Winter and Spring by the student's reading teacher, Title 1 teacher, EL teacher or Special Education teacher if applicable. Students are assessed for fluency and comprehension.
Dibels:
This short reading assessment is administered 1:1 as a benchmarking tool for special education students. It is also used as an alternate means of screening if the teacher suspects the universal screening score was negatively impacted by behavior or environmental factors.

External Assessments

WIDA Testing:
All students who qualify for English Language services participate in the WIDA testing each winter.

PSSA Testing:
All students in grades 3-5 participate in PSSA testing each Spring in English Language Arts and Mathematics. Students in grade 4 also participate in the PSSA Science tests. This year's test dates are below:

Classroom Assessments

English Language Arts Assessments:
Fundations and Just Words unit tests are recorded by skill in the teachers' gradebook. Scores are entered according to the point value per skill on the test, so they serve as reliable data to assess performance and progress toward goals. Unit tests are administered about 3-4 times each marking period.
Mathematics Assessments:
Ready math tests are recorded by skill in the teachers' gradebook by math competency, to serve as reliable data to assess performance and progress toward goals. Math tests are administered about 3-4 times each marking period.
Project-Based Learning:
Students engage in project-based learning, involving real-world connections to learn new skills or to apply learned skills to new experiences. These connections are important to overall development of the student learner and provide valuable information in regard to how each students learn best .
Homework:
Homework is an opportunity to review and practice content or skills taught in the classroom. Sometimes, homework may include school work that was not completed during the school day. Students are encouraged to read 10-20 minutes each night. Engaging practice or enrichment programs are available for each child by logging into Clever, our educational programming dashboard. See: Technology Grading of homework is used for feedback purposes only. Generally speaking, the students’ academic grades will not be negatively affected by homework completion.

Grade Reporting

Marking Periods

Grade reporting is divided into 4 Marking Periods.

Marking Period 1: September 7, 2021 - November 8, 2021
Marking Period 2: November 9, 2021 – January 28, 2022
Marking Period 3: January 29, 2022 – April 1, 2022
Marking Period 4: April 4, 2021 – June 15, 2022

Report Cards

Student report cards are generated four times each school year, at the end of each quarter. Report card grades are assigned by reading and math competencies, which describe the skills students should be able to do at each grade level. Science and Social Studies grades are grouped by state standard category. Arts grades are assessed according to the skills for their subject and the level of participation of the student.

Grade Scale

4 Advanced
3 Satisfactory
2 Developing
1 Beginning
IE Insufficient Evidence

Reading and Math Performance

The student's current tier is also included on the report card.

1 Tier 1, No additional support needed.
2 Tier 2, In-Class supports needed.
3 Tier 3, Additional supports needed.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

All grades are live in the Jupiter parent portal. Parents can set alerts to receive a text if a grade falls below a desired score or if assignments are missing. Formal parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in November and then again in the spring if there are concerns. Additional parent conferences can be scheduled throughout the school year at either parent or teacher request. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher for any questions regarding their child’s progress.

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