To submit an article, please call (918) 607-1876 or @ gmhelms96@yahoo.com Muriel Helms, JWI Newsletter Editor

February 2011 Dear Families, Each year students at West Intermediate take the state of Oklahoma’s Criterion Reference Tests. These tests are important as they give parents and teachers feedback regarding student performance. Fifth grade students take the writing portion of the test on February 23rd. Our fifth grade language arts teachers have been working diligently to help students hone their craft as writers. While it is not expected for you to ask your child to write from a prompt at home, the test will expect the student to write from a prompt. Please visit with your child about several important components to include in his/her writing. Dinner time conversations or trips back and forth from soccer, gymnastics or other evening events could look like this: 1. Restate the prompt. (This is one of the most challenging tasks for students). For example: If the prompt is…Pretend you are a puppy and left alone all day. What would you do? The student should be expected to restate the prompt and say some-thing like this…If I were a puppy left alone in the house all day, I would …. So, think of example story starters and allow your 5th grader to restate them back to you. 2. Play Sensational Synonyms. Instead of using the word ‘nice’, think of as many synonyms as you can for the word ‘nice’. Try to help your child discover words like pleasant and agreeable which are more age appropriate substitutes for ‘nice’. The goal is to use descriptive words and vivid verbs. Try to avoid overusing common words such as nice, said, happy, sad, etc… use words like elated, joyful, disappointed, etc… 3. Create mental pictures. Allow students to ‘paint the picture’ in the head of the reader. This mental picture can be for simple situations. Describe what it would be like to be on the beach on a hot, sunny day.

enks West I n t e r m e d i a t e

What pictures come to mind when you picture sliding down a hill on a sled? What added description can you offer to make the scene come alive for me? 4. Try Tantalizing Tongue Twisters. Use alliteration to create an added ‘punch’ to your writing. Alliteration is when two or more words are used having the same letter. If I were a puppy left alone all day in the house I would prance and play in the puddles. Try making up the hardest tongue twisters and see who could say them the fastest. The turtle tried to turn topsy turvy! Students are awarded points in six categories: word choice, organization/unity/ & coherence, ideas & development, punctuation/capitalization/spelling, grammar, and sentence & paragraph development. We’ve included some samples of quality fifth grade papers on our website. You may find them by searching our web at www.jenksps.org. Click on Jenks Campus. Then click on West Intermediate. Click on CRT Test Prep on the left hand side. Then, click on Example 1 and Example 2 for CRT Writing. Thank you in advance for noting this important test date – February 23- on your calendar. As always, please make sure your fifth grader has a good night’s rest, a hearty breakfast, and is ready to perform at his/her best. *Sixth graders do NOT take the writing portion of the test. Fondly, Michelle Sumner Jenks West Intermediate - Principal

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From the desk of Claudia Oniwa JWI PTAG President

Dear Parents,

We are in the process of selecting a new JWI PTAG Executive Board for the 2011-2012 school year. The PTAG is a challenging but exciting way to be involved in the Intermediate dynamic. The openings are as follows. President: The president works closely with administration and staff, keeping

open communication between parents, students and teachers. This position begins in mid-July with setting your calendar for the year. 1st VP in charge of Membership: 1st VP is responsible for membership recruitment and keeping a data base of all members. Most of this is done in the first semester. 2nd VP in charge of Fundraising: 2nd VP is responsible for promotional sales. You will work closely with your fundraising chair. Secretary: You are responsible for keeping minutes at all meetings. In this position you will also take the role of hospitality. Treasurer: You are responsible for all financial reports and consolidating all banking charges. This position requires close communication with the president.

These are the Executive positions available at this time. All positions begin mid July to prepare for the school year. If you are interested in any of these positions please contact me for more information. The current executive board will help you into the transition to all positions.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Claudia Oniwa JWI PTAG President hawaee1@yahoo.com

Sonic NightSonic NightSonic NightSonic Night February 15

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

CongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulations WORDMASTERS!WORDMASTERS!WORDMASTERS!WORDMASTERS!

We can certainly be proud of our first set of scores for the Word-Masters Challenge!

The national average for fifth grade is a score of 111. West Intermediate fifth graders scored 139!

The national average for sixth grade is a score of 112. West Intermediate sixth graders scored 171!

The winning teams across the country have scores ranging from 185-194, so we are really close. It is an excellent showing for our first competition ever.

Thank you to PTAG for paying our entrance and to the classroom teach-ers who support higher-level word study in the classroom.

SMILE!SMILE!SMILE!SMILE!

Spring PicturesSpring PicturesSpring PicturesSpring Pictures

Wednesday, February 2

Professional Day Mon., Feb. 21 No School

AIDS EducationAIDS EducationAIDS EducationAIDS Education Week of March 7th

Reminder: Reminder: Reminder: Reminder: Volunteers, please submit your volunteer hours every month

to Christina Wilson at (918)691-8443 or

c.c.wilson123@gmail.com

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Ma r k You r Ca l enda r s

Feb. 2 Spring Pictures

Feb. 2 PTAG Meeting, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Feb. 4 Hidden Trojan

Feb. 15 Sonic Night

Feb. 21 Professional Day, No School

Feb. 25 PTAG Board Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

Feb. 15 March Newsletter Deadline

Find the Hidden Trojan in this Newsletter!Find the Hidden Trojan in this Newsletter!Find the Hidden Trojan in this Newsletter!Find the Hidden Trojan in this Newsletter!

Drop a piece of paper with your name, teacher’s name and Hidden Trojan location in the Trojan Box by Feb. 4. First five students with the correct location will be awarded prizes!

Thank You Project Westly Elves!

Students in the Strozier/Neal/Treat Strozier/Neal/Treat Strozier/Neal/Treat Strozier/Neal/Treat Team took on a Westly Project and delivered the following items to a deserving family on Dec. 18.

• 2 New bunk beds and 4 new mattresses

• 12 Sets of twin sheets • 5 Sets of queen sheets • Baby clothes • Pack–n Play • 2 Side tables • 4 Lamps • TV • Towels • Pillows, comforter, quilts and blankets

• 2 Scooters • $25.00 Gift card to Quik Trip

• $500.00 Wal-Mart gift card from the Jenks Optimist Club

Volunteers NeededVolunteers NeededVolunteers NeededVolunteers Needed

Testing monitors are needed for Febru-ary 23rd from 7:40 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. If you are available, please contact Christina Wilson at (918)691-8443 or

c.c.wilson123@gmail.com

Jenks Public Schools Foundation Awards Classroom Grants and Grant to District

The Jenks Public Schools Foundation is pleased to announce the 2010-11 awards for Classroom Grants for Jenks Public Schools. More than $12,000 was awarded to JPS teachers from 30 grant applications. It is the mission of JPSF to provide an enhanced learning environment for all students and the Classroom Grants to Teachers is one of the core programs funded annually. This year’s grant recipients were recognized at the JPS School Board Meeting on Monday, January 10th. More information about all of the grants awarded is available at www.jenksfoundation.org. In addition, JPSF is pleased to provide to Jenks Public Schools, a grant of $3,000 for EDOklahoma, a service which will assist the district by providing information and support for federal grant funds. Each year, one of the many programs for which we provide funding is the Employee Appreciation Banquet. The annual dinner is Saturday, February 19th, the site teachers of the year are recognized, the District Teacher of the Year is announced, and the service awards are presented as well. During the month of February, we are working with community partners who will donate a percentage of their proceeds to JPSF in support of Em-ployee Appreciation, starting with Top That! Pizza, 81st and Memorial, Tuesday, February 1st, Homerun Sliders/Freckles/Rocky Mountain Candy, 101st & Yale, Thursday, February 10th, the Garden Trug, (next to JMS) February 19th, and more to come! Be sure to look for additional announcements via email and Facebook.

You have pencils, but do you have really cool pencils?You have pencils, but do you have really cool pencils?You have pencils, but do you have really cool pencils?You have pencils, but do you have really cool pencils? Support JWI by buying assorted pencils with attitude.

5th Grade hallway: pencils for $ .25 each 6th Grade hallway: mechanical pencils for $ .50 ea., gel pens for $ .50 ea. & pencil grips for $ .25 ea.

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How The West Was RunHow The West Was RunHow The West Was RunHow The West Was Run 5K, 1 Mile Fun Run5K, 1 Mile Fun Run5K, 1 Mile Fun Run5K, 1 Mile Fun Run

Start training now, April 30th is just around the corner!Start training now, April 30th is just around the corner!Start training now, April 30th is just around the corner!Start training now, April 30th is just around the corner! PTAG will be hosting our 1st Annual 5K and 1 mile Fun Run.PTAG will be hosting our 1st Annual 5K and 1 mile Fun Run.PTAG will be hosting our 1st Annual 5K and 1 mile Fun Run.PTAG will be hosting our 1st Annual 5K and 1 mile Fun Run.

This will be an all out fundraiser to benefit Jenks Wild. We are looking for sponsors, This will be an all out fundraiser to benefit Jenks Wild. We are looking for sponsors, This will be an all out fundraiser to benefit Jenks Wild. We are looking for sponsors, This will be an all out fundraiser to benefit Jenks Wild. We are looking for sponsors, education related vendors and cheery volunteers.education related vendors and cheery volunteers.education related vendors and cheery volunteers.education related vendors and cheery volunteers.

If interested in being part of this great adventure, please contact If interested in being part of this great adventure, please contact If interested in being part of this great adventure, please contact If interested in being part of this great adventure, please contact Claudia Oniwa at hawaee1@yahoo.comClaudia Oniwa at hawaee1@yahoo.comClaudia Oniwa at hawaee1@yahoo.comClaudia Oniwa at hawaee1@yahoo.com

Math Placement at Jenks West Intermediate One of the challenges in the teaching profession is meeting the needs of all students. Ask any classroom teacher and he/she will tell you that within one classroom there are many, many levels and interests of students.

Jenks Public Schools strives to meet all students’ academic needs by pre-testing every content area early in the school year to determine where each student’s knowledge is, up front, so as to challenge every student based on this data. Every student has a right to learn something new, every day.

One area that JPS has “down to a science” is math, and specifically pre-algebra and algebra. The gifted coordinators work all year long to identify students with “algebraic aptitude” and then offer testing in the spring. We use a matrix system to identify these potential pre-algebra/algebra students and it is broken down for you below:

1. Most Recent CogAT Scores SAS of 121 or higher on the Quantitative Score 2 pts. SAS of 121 or higher on the Composite Score 2 pts. 2. Advanced in Math on most recent CRT .5 pt. 3. Advanced in Reading on most recent CRT .5 pt. 4. 70% or higher on Oklahoma Math League Test 2 pts. 5. 70% or higher from teacher checklist 1 pt. Total Possible: 8 pts.

If a 4th grade student has 6 or more points and 5th grade student has 3 or more points, based on this matrix, he/she is then eligible to take the Orleans-Hanna and Iowa Algebraic Aptitude Test (IAAT). If a student is new to JPS and does not have previous CRT and/or CogAT scores, he/she can still receive the necessary 3 points to test based on the Oklahoma Math League score (administered in the classroom during the second semester) as well as a teacher recommendation. After testing, they must have a combined score from these two tests (Percentages are added together…) of 140 for Pre-Algebra placement and 180 for Algebra placement.

You may notice that advanced scores on the CRT-Math and CRT-Reading are only worth .5 a point each. In the research completed to establish the matrix, there was not a strong correlation between advanced CRT scores and algebraic aptitude. Keep in mind, the CRT tests students on previous instruction…we are looking for students who innately “know” and display algebraic readiness/aptitude.

Algebraic reasoning skills are developmental and the majority of elementary/intermediate students are not ready for this subject matter, but we desire to provide it for those students who are. Advanced math students who do not qualify for PA/A will still be challenged in their classroom. Every teacher at JWI has received training in Differentiation and site gifted coordinators are always available to assist in providing accelerated content and instruction when needed, either in a small group setting or through activities provided to the teacher for students in need of “different” math content.

It is my hope that this information takes some of the “mystery” out of our math placement procedures. Always feel free to contact one of your site-gifted coordinators if you have additional questions or concerns.

-Chere’ Sammons, Jenks Public Schools District Coordinator

Annie Lewis, JWE/JWI Site Coordinator: