Communication is the foundation in any relationship. Effective communication with students and their families is our goal. We will keep you up to date with what is going on in the classrooms through this 3rd Grade Site. The "Week at a Glance" will highlight the reading, math, science, social studies, and writing content that we are currently learning in the classroom along with important information for parents and students. 

Having all of this information organized on the website allows us to manage communications and collaborate with parents to help students succeed. It is VERY important that you are connected and up to date on all class information and calendar updates. Please bookmark this website as a favorite. 

Our contact information is attached to each class page. We will do our best to respond within 24 hours. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any questions. 

We are excited to share with you an important aspect of our approach to learning this year: standards-based grading. This system may be new to some of you, so we wanted to take a moment to explain what it is and why it benefits your child's educational journey.

What is Standards-Based Grading? Standards-based grading focuses on your child's mastery of specific skills and knowledge, as defined by our learning standards. Instead of traditional letter grades, you will see scores that reflect how well your child understands and can apply what they've learned. These scores are more precise indicators of your child’s progress and areas where they may need additional support.

Why Standards-Based Grading?

1. Clear Expectations: Each standard clearly states what your child needs to know and be able to do.

2. Focused Feedback: You'll receive detailed feedback on specific skills, helping you understand exactly where your child excels and where they might need extra help.

3. Growth Mindset: This approach encourages students to view learning as a continuous journey rather than a series of pass/fail moments. It emphasizes growth and improvement over time.

How to Interpret the Scores:

• E (4) – Exceeds Standards: Your child demonstrates an advanced understanding and exceeds grade-level expectations.

• M (3) – Meets Standards: Your child meets grade-level expectations and demonstrates proficiency.

• A (2) – Approaching Standards: Your child is making progress but has not yet met grade-level expectations.

• D (1) – Developing and Needs Support: Your child needs additional help to meet grade-level expectations.

Viewing Learning as a Journey: We want to emphasize that learning is a process, and every child progresses at their own pace. A lower score early in the year doesn't mean failure; it simply indicates areas where more practice is needed. Our goal is to support each student in reaching proficiency and beyond by the end of the year.

How You Can Support Your Child:

1. Celebrate Progress: Recognize and celebrate improvements and achievements, no matter how small.

2. Encourage Effort: Remind your child that effort and perseverance are key to learning.

3. Stay Informed: Use the detailed feedback to understand your child’s strengths and areas for growth. Communicate with teachers if you have any questions or need additional resources.

We are here to support both you and your child on this educational journey. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further clarification on standards-based grading.

Thank you for your partnership and support in making this a successful and enriching year for your child.

Students will have ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies  asset-based assessments at the end of each topic and/or unit. Using assessments throughout the school year helps guide decisions about the level of support required to ensure success for each student. The assessments for each subject will be communicated through the "Week at a Glance" emails and Google Classroom. 

We also want to inform you about two important assessments your child will be participating in this year: the STAR Assessment and the SC Ready State test. These assessments help us monitor your child's progress and ensure they are on track for success.

STAR Assessment by Alliance The STAR Assessment is a computer-adaptive test that your child will take three times a year – at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. This assessment helps us track your child's progress in key academic areas such as reading and math.

Why the STAR Assessment?

1. Progress Monitoring: By administering the STAR Assessment three times a year, we can closely monitor your child’s growth and adjust instruction to meet their needs.

2. Individualized Learning: The results provide detailed information on your child’s strengths and areas where they may need additional support.

3. Data-Driven Decisions: The data from these assessments help us make informed decisions about how best to support your child’s learning journey.

SC Ready State Test The SC Ready State test is a standardized test that your child will take at the end of third grade. This test assesses your child’s proficiency in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics, ensuring they meet the state standards.

Why the SC Ready State Test?

1. State Standards: The SC Ready test measures how well your child has mastered the state standards for ELA and Math.

2. Accountability: The results provide valuable information on how well our school is helping students meet these standards.

3. Preparation for Future: This assessment helps prepare students for future standardized tests and academic challenges.

How You Can Support Your Child:

• Stay Informed: Review the assessment schedule and talk to your child about the importance of these assessments.

• Encourage Effort: Remind your child to do their best and reassure them that these tests are just one way to show what they have learned.

• Practice at Home: Engage your child in reading and math activities at home to reinforce their skills.

Assessment Schedule:

• STAR Assessment: Fall, Winter, and Spring

• SC Ready State Test: End of the school year

We will keep you updated on your child's progress and provide you with their assessment results. If you have any questions about these assessments or how to support your child, please don't hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support in your child's education.

OUR MISSION: The Bridges Preparatory School (BPS) mission is to provide students equal access to a high quality K-12 whole child education that maximizes academic excellence and strength of character in a student-centered learning environment created by a faculty of lifelong learners.

OUR VISION: Our vision is to assist each child in developing his or her unique gift intellectually, physically, socially, and ethically through whole-child instruction in order to prepare students for college or career and ensure their ability to be productive citizens, serving community and readily competing in the ever-changing global society.