Below is a schedule of MacBook service dates taking place this summer so that all 1:1 students are properly equipped for the 2011/2012 school year. Due to the high volume of current and new students in this program the maintenance of all school MacBooks must be spread over 3 time periods; two for existing 1:1 Program students moving into 8th and 9th grade and one for the incoming 7th graders (and other students new to the 1:1 Laptops for Learning Program). We understand that there are family events, vacations and other plans which may make pickup and drop-off a challenge. We ask that you do your very best to meet the dates listed below as we will have limited staff working during the month of July to setup, update or configure over 225 MacBooks. If you know you are going to be unable to drop-off or pickup your student’s MacBook during the assigned time-frames please email me ([email protected]) so that we might coordinate alternate dates for maintenance.

ACTION ITEM: Backup all of your data

This is for current 1:1 Program students only (who are already leasing MacBooks)
During the maintenance all software will be updated, new software will be added in some cases and other configurations made. This maintenance will wipe-out any current data on your MacBook. PLEASE SAVE ALL PERSONAL DATA to a USB flash drive, CD, DVD or external hard drive. The MacBooks are capable of writing to almost any format of disk (including CD-R, CD+R, CDRW, DVD-R, DVD+R and other discs). USB flash drive are also a good option with stores like Staples or online retailers like Amazon selling 4GB flash drives starting at only $7. While SRA allows students to load their own personal music, movies and other non-academic files we are not responsible for preserving this content. If you have any questions regarding data backups or how to transfer your files please email me ([email protected]) prior to your drop-off date.

///////////////// PERIOD #1 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
8th Grade students: Week of July 11th – 18th
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MacBooks for our 8th Grade, Blue Track students (moving up from our current 7th grade 1:1 program) will need to be dropped off on Monday, 7/11/2011 (or prior).
Pickup for these MacBooks can be made on Monday 7/18/2011 (or later).

///////////////// PERIOD #2 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
9th Grade students: Week of July 18th – 25th
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MacBooks for our 9th Grade, Blue Track students (moving up from our current 8th grade 1:1 program) will need to be dropped off on Monday, 7/18/2011 (or prior). Pickup for these MacBooks can be made on Monday7/25/2011 (or later).

///////////////// PERIOD #3 \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
NEW 7th, 8th and 9th Grade 1:1 students: July 25th & 26th
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New MacBooks for our new 7th Grade Blue Track students (as well as the 8th & 9th grade students new to SRA) will be completed and ready for pickup on July 25th and 26th. During this 2-day window we will be issuing new MacBooks, assisting in the setup of PayPal payment accounts for parents, reviewing and gathering Acceptable Use and other documents from students and parents, covering MacBook maintenance basics and more. In an effort to cut down on parent waiting time this year we have setup a 2-day issuing period prior to Orientation Day. Please email Mrs. MacLean ([email protected]) to request an appointment time during one of these two days. If you are unavailable July 25 & 26 please email Mrs. MacLean so we can coordinate another time for pickup (note that appointment availability outside the 25th and 26th is extremely limited). Lease pricing will be $38/month. More details and forms will be posted to the SRA Website in the next few days so be sure to check www.santarosaacademy.org.

See the flier for more details and see how to sign up!  –>  Talent Show Sign Up Form 2011

Event is May 17th at 3:00pm on the Main (MSJC) Campus

This spring, your student, along with other public school students throughout California, will participate in the CMA/CST- Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program. STAR testing begins April 4th and ends April 29, 2010. Make up testing days will be throughout the testing period and will be scheduled a needed. These tests measure how well students in grades 2-11 are achieving the California content standards for each subject area tested

Results of the STAR Program tests provide valuable information about the academic achievement of students. It is important, therefore, that students do their best when testing. On testing days, please make sure your student attends school, gets an adequate amount of sleep, arrives to school on time and has a healthy breakfast. Your child should also bring a book to read and must be in their school uniform. The tests are not timed. Your child should take their time on each question and complete the test as accurately as possible, using appropriate test taking strategies.

Test results for CST/CMA-STAR testing will be provided for parents within 20 days after the school receives the reports. Individual results are confidential and will be shared only with parents or guardians and the student’s teacher(s). Please keep these reports for use when talking to teacher(s) about ways to support your student’s learning and make use of the information provided by the California Department of Education as highlighted on the back of the report.

Please see the following schedule for the testing cycle. All three tracks at Santa Rosa Academy participate in state testing. Red and White Track students who receive Resource Services will participate in testing with their RSP provider. Please contact them for your child’s testing schedule. If you have any questions, please contact me via phone at 951-672-2400 or email, [email protected].

Sincerely,

Nerni Miller
Assessment Coordinator

Downloadable Schedules Listed Below

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE BLUE TRACK Grade 2 and 3

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE Red Track 2-8

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE RED TRACK HIGH SCHOOL

2011 STAR TESTING SCHEDULE WHITE TRACK Grades K-8

The following are some suggested options for preparing your child for the CST –CMA STAR testing program.

1. The web site linked below offers multi-leveled release questions and should be practiced regularly for the maximum benefit (http://starsamplequestions.org/starRTQ/search.jsp)

2. If your child needs to review a concept Kahn Academy web site offers great video resources for your use. (www.kahnacademy.org)

3. The California Department of Education has released questions from prior tests to help schools in preparing their students for the testing format and vocabulary. The questions may be found at the following web site. (http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/sr/css05rtq.asp)

There a few things you can do to prepare your child to perform their best during the testing cycle.

We appreciate your support!

1.Between now and testing, ask your child to tell you one specific thing they learned in either Language Arts and math. Ask them to explain it to you. This helps your child retain the information they learn from day to day.

2. Have a discussion with your child explaining why preparing for things early is a benefit. Help them see the importance of focusing during class so they are prepared when testing occurs.

3. Review with your child in how to review and verify answers on a test. Discuss that it is important to erase and re- bubble neatly if they need to change an answer.

4. Discuss your child that if they do not know the answer there are ways they can eliminate some the choices, based on what they DO KNOW!

5. Be on time for school everyday, but especially during testing week. This will allow your child to be the most relaxed and ready to do their best. It helps them feel confident and unhurried.

6. A good night’s sleep each night helps students perform at their best. During the testing window, please minimize any late night activities. (sports games, family errands, etc)

7. Remind your child that they do not need to spend too much time on one question. Sometimes children over think their answers!

8. Wish your child good luck everyday! This simple gesture let’s them know you care!