Lower School Learning Program - September 25, 2026

Dear Lower School Families,

We had a great week in the Lower School. The warm weather has stayed with us, and our students have adapted well, with extra water breaks, shaded play, and plenty of sunshine. We are hopeful for cooler days next week.

On Wednesday, we held a successful evacuation drill. Students listened carefully, moved calmly, and followed their teachers' directions. Practicing these routines regularly helps children know exactly what to do and builds their confidence.

We are now a few weeks into the school year, and it is rewarding to see routines settling in. Classrooms are becoming communities where students know what to expect, take care of one another, and feel ready to take on new learning.

After School Activities begin on Monday. Please check that you know your child's schedule and pickup arrangements for each day, and reach out to the ASA coordinator with any questions.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.
Ms. Dani

Evacuation Drill Success

School Photos

Individual and group photos will be on Monday, September 28th!

You should have received an email from our Tech Department with instructions for how you can view and purchase the photos. Please reach out to helpdesk@asmadrid.es if you didn't receive this communication.

LS MAP TESTING

Our Grade 3, 4, and 5 students will take their Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessments on October 6, 8, and 9. MAP is adaptive, which means the questions adjust to each student's answers as they go. The results give teachers one of many data points we use to understand where each child is in their learning and how best to support their next steps.

Because MAP measures growth over time, students are not expected to know every answer. Questions will become more challenging as students answer correctly, so every child will see questions that stretch their thinking. This is exactly how the assessment is designed to work.

All students will test in Math, Reading, and Language Usage. Our student support staff will ensure that every student who requires accommodations receives them, and our divisional coordinators will offer makeup sessions for students who are absent or need more time to finish.

In the days before testing, teachers will talk with all students about what to expect, how the assessment works, and strategies that help them show what they know. Our goal is for every child to walk in feeling calm, prepared, and confident.

How you can help at home

Make sure your child gets a good night's sleep the night before each testing day.
Start the day with a healthy breakfast.
Let your child know this is not something they have to worry about, all they need to do is try their best.
Send your child with a book to read quietly after they finish.

Families new to MAP are invited to a virtual MAP Introduction for Families on September 30, 9:00–9:30 a.m. You can also explore the NWEA Family Toolkit.

Parents will receive an email with results toward the end of October.

What Else is Coming Up?

September

Sept 28-30 - School Photos
Sept 28 - 1st day of ASAs and 5:15 activities bus

October

Oct 6, 8, 9 - MAP Testing for G3-G5
Oct 7 - Early Release Day, 1:45pm
Oct 12 - NO SCHOOL
Oct 25 - Halloween Carnival
Oct 29-30 - Virtual Learning Conferences (Students stay home on these days).

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