Posted on Sunday / January 8
Welcome to the latest edition of the DPAC Family Update! This week we hope your scholar will participate in a free vision screening occurring on campus! Friday marks the end of Quarter 2, Family Teacher Conferences are right around the corner, Baseball and Soccer begin with interest meetings, and we have important Covid updates. Please read below for details on all of this and more!
We have a few small changes to our weekly communication strategy moving forward into the new year. Beginning Friday, Jan. 13 we will send the Family Update each week on Friday. It will largely focus on events occurring over the next 10 days with a section to look ahead at events in the coming weeks and months as well. Beginning Friday, Jan.27 the Family Update will be paired with your scholar’s weekly academic progress report.
If you have questions about the content of an article please reach out to dpac_info@democracyprep.org. If you ever have questions about your scholars academic or behavioral progress please connect with your teachers. Thank you!
Please click on the article title below to jump ahead to that article
Masks and Covid Update
We have noticed an increase in positive Covid cases for both scholars and staff since the return from Winter Break. DPAC highly encourages all scholars, staff, and visitors on campus to wear a mask at all times. Our goal is to keep everyone safe and keep scholars in the classroom learning! During this time of increased illnesses, we especially encourage your family to wash hands regularly, wear a mask in public, and limit large group settings. We are not changing our official mask policy at this time; masks will remain optional but highly encouraged. If positive cases continue to increase we will provide a family survey for you to share your input before making any masking mandate changes.
DPAC Calendar & Events
Free Vision Screening
We are excited to continue our partnership with The Eye Doc and Optica 2020 to provide a free vision screening for DPAC scholars! This will occur Wednesday, Jan.11 – Friday, Jan.13. If you would like your scholar to participate please fill out THIS Interest Form by Tuesday, Jan. 10. For more information, please email us at dpac_info@democracyprep.org.
Baseball Interest Meeting (K-8)
All Kindergarten through 8th grade scholars and families interested in learning more about the baseball program and how to register are invited to an interest meeting on Wednesday, Jan.11 from 5:00 – 6:00pm. Questions? Contact Athletic Director Jason Gipson jason.gipson@democracyprep.org
Soccer Clinic (Middle School)
Any 6th – 8th Grade scholars interested in participating in soccer are invited to an introductory clinic Jan 9 – Jan 25. Both boys and girls will meet from 3:15 – 4:15pm on Jan 9, 11, 18, 23, & 25.
Dismissal Schedule and No-School Days
For a copy of the full year calendar outlining all half-days and no-school days please follow THIS LINK:
- January 9 – January 13: Full week regular dismissal
- Monday, January 16 No School – MLK Day (regular dismissal remainder of week)
- Wednesday, January 25 – Half Day 12:30 dismissal for Family Teacher Conferences (regular dismissal remainder of week)
End of Quarter 2
Family Teacher Conferences – Wed., Jan. 25
This Friday, Jan. 13 marks the end of Quarter 2. All families are invited to participate in Family Teacher Conferences (FTC’s) on Wednesday, January 25th. This is an important time for families to partner with teachers and receive an accurate snapshot of where your scholar is academically as well as behaviorally. FTC’s provide families with an opportunity to celebrate growths and successes, to learn strategies to improve struggling grades, and partner with teachers to ensure your scholar reaches their goals! Please be on the look out for communications directly from your scholar’s classroom teachers for instructions to sign up for your FTC’s.
Report Cards
Report cards for the second quarter will first be available at Family Teacher Conferences on Wednesday, January 25. On Thursday, January 26 any report card packets that were not picked up will be sent home with scholars. In the Family Update that goes out on Friday, January 27 there will be a digital report card request form where families can also request an electronic version of their report card.
Weekly Progress Reports
Weekly Progress Reports will resume on Friday, January 27. We do not provide progress reports in the final week of a quarter as we look towards final report cards. We also do not provide progress reports in the first 2 weeks of a new quarter because there is not enough graded material to provide meaningful information to families. If you ever have questions about your scholar’s academic or behavioral progress you are always invited to reach out to your teachers via phone, text, or email.
Winter Map Testing
Winter Map Testing
All scholars K-12 participate in some form of MAP testing. These are important benchmark assessments intended to help measure growth areas and better inform teachers how to best support your scholars. January 9 – January 20 scholars will participate in these important assessments. All High School scholars must bring their Chromebook to school with them during testing. If your Chromebook is lost or damaged please visit the Chromebook repair site here: https://dpac.democracyprep.org/techsupport/
Map Testing Letter from Ms. Whiteman for Elementary School
In the coming weeks, your scholars will take their second MAP Growth test from NWEA on a computer in the classroom. We give MAP Growth tests to determine their instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year in Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science (Grades 4 and 5).
This first test is given at the beginning of the school year for the teachers to use as a benchmark of each child’s academic performance. The second is given in January to check progress and the last is given at the end of the year to determine growth.
MAP Growth tests are unique in that they adapt to your child’s level of learning. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether on, above, or below their grade level. Please sit down with your child and talk about the importance of this assessment and to take their time when completing it. In grades 3-5, the MAP Growth tests strongly predict how successful students will be on the SBAC.
Since MAP Growth tests provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, it is easy for teachers to identify students with similar scores that are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.
We are genuinely excited to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement. For more information in both English and Spanish about the MAP Growth test, visit https://www.nwea.org/the-map–
Please support your child during testing by ensuring they’re here in time to have breakfast and begin their day at 7:30 AM! Testing will take place from January 17th – January 27th.
Farewell Message from High School Principal Ms. Taylor
Hello DPACHS Families,
This email comes with a heavy heart. I have had the privilege of working alongside our DPAC community for the past five and a half years; first as an educator and now as your principal. Unfortunately, my time with Democracy Prep has come to an end as I am stepping down from my current position.
Dr. Nash will be assuming the responsibilities of principal in the interim. Please direct any questions you may have to dpac_info@democracyprep.org.
Thank you for your partnership,
Ms. Taylor
We are incredibly grateful for Ms. Taylor’s time at DPAC and her passionate leadership of the high school. She has been a shining example of the DREAM BIG values we strive to achieve. Thank you for your enthusiasm, hard work, and relentless support of your scholars and their families.