March 2015 - Early College High School

HORNET NEWS ECHS@DSU
Issue 5
2
H
Hornet
News
ECHS@DSU
March
2015
dream BIG dreams
School Choice Lottery
The Early College High School (ECHS) at
Delaware State University held its first
School Choice Lottery on January 30, 2015.
There were 132 student names in the lottery
with only 117 spots available. The names
were drawn in a blind public lottery. Board
member, Dr. Rebecca Fox-Lykens and
Department of Education representative
Debbie Stover assisted Dr. Coffield and Ms.
Smith. The only preference that was applied
was the sibling preference. Those chosen
through the random lottery have until March
20, 2015 to make their final decision to
attend ECHS. At that time, any available
seats will be offered to students on the
waitlist.
Dr. Coffield spoke about National School
Choice Week and distributed yellow neck
scarves to all children in attendance.
Participants in National School Choice
believe that parents should be empowered to
choose the best educational environments
for their children. One size does not fit all
when it comes to most things, including
education. National School Choice Week
provides an opportunity to speak out about
the importance of and the need for effective
education options for our children.
IN THIS ISSUE
guest Ms. Candy Young as our keynote
speaker. Ms. Young is a former track and
field Olympian and junior world record
holder.
The focus for January’s recognition was Most
st
Improved Student: 1 semester.
Miss
Angelina Rios and Mr. Kemuel Harding were
selected by the teachers as the most
improved students in the first semester.
The PBS recognition for February will be:
Being Prepared for Class Every Day (*dress
code, ID, school supplies).
Honor Roll students were also called up to be
recognized for their hard work and
accomplishments.
ECHS
Honor
Roll
distinction is for students who earn a grade
point average of between 3.5 – 4.0. Merit
Roll is for students who earn grade point
averages between a 3.0- 3.499.
ECHS Spring Break, Summer Bridge and more.
Page 2
PTSA News
The ECHS@DSU PTSA is looking to fill positions on the
board. Your help is needed for an upcoming fundraiser
and to help with a spring dance.
Page 5
Smarter Balanced Assessment
Parent letter and sample items
Page 6
Join the PBS Effort!
If you or your
company/organization would like to
donate a prize for our PBS program
or become a member of the PBS
Committee, please contact Ms.
Thompson at:
Nikeia.thompson@echs.k12.de.us
or call 302.678.3247 (ECHS).
Positive Behavior Support (PBS)
The Early College High School (ECHS)
Positive Behavior Supports Program is off to
a great start this semester. The school held a
PBS Assembly on January 29 with special
Calendar Reminders
PBS Winners: Olivia Libby, Alvin West, Kameela
Lowther and Gerica Arganosa.
HORNET NEWS ECHS@DSU | Issue 5
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Calendar Reminders
The 2015 ECHS@DSU Spring Break will be March 7 – March 15.
The 3rd Marking Period will close on Friday, March 20th.
There will be no school during the Spring term on the following in-service days:

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March 25
April 8 and 22
Mark your calendars for the 2015 SUMMER BRIDGE: June 22-July 24, Monday through Friday
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News from Nurse Krieger
Family Meals: Recipe for a Healthy Weight?
Could family meals be the key to keeping weight in check? University of Minnesota researchers studied 2000-plus
teenagers for a decade to identify factors contributing to later weight gain. Among their findings, teens who ate one
to five meals a week with their families were 10% less likely (than those who rarely or never did) to be overweight or
obese as adults.
The likely reason: they typically ate healthier fare. Plus, sitting down together gave families time to catch up and
bond, providing a supportive environment and giving children the ability to regulate their own eating behaviors into
their day-to-day lives. It’s not enough to just eat together; parents and kids must connect with one another. They
see what their parents do and follow in their footsteps.
Try having the family disconnect from the world for 30 minutes while you eat dinner. You can actually have
conversations. Other keys include keeping meals positive. Don’t bring up homework or other touchy subjects while
eating.
Obesity ups the risk of asthma, diabetes, heart/lung conditions, and many other conditions. The best way to stay
trim is to eat right, exercise and enjoy nice family meals.
For more information on staying healthy, visit the CDC website and search healthful lifestyle.
Join the ECHS Parent Advisory Council!
Parent Advisory Council (PAC): Third Monday of each month at 5:30 p.m. at the ECHS@DSU.
Join us to learn about and provide input on Parent Involvement, Title I, School Improvement, Programs
of Study and much more. Learn about Title I and be part of the communication process between
parents, teachers, and school administrators. The PAC will meet monthly to discuss issues of importance
to the entire school community and is a representative body that provides the perspective of parents to
the ECHS administration through regular communication with the school leader.
Meeting dates: March 16, April 20
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PHOTO GALLERY
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The ECHS@DSU is seeking parent volunteers to serve on several committees: Safety Committee, Title I Parent Advisory Committee, Discipline
Committee, and Perkins Advisory Committee for Career and Technical Education.
Please contact Dr. Coffield: jcoffield@desu.edu for more information
The Early College High School Parent,
Teacher, Student Association (PTSA)
The Early College High School at
Delaware State University is an
equal opportunity employer. It
does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, religion,
national origin, sex, sexual
orientation, marital status,
disability, age or Vietnam Era
veteran's status in employment
or its programs and activities.
The Early College High School
will not discriminate against any
student in the admissions
process because of race, creed,
color, sex, disability, national
origin or because a student's
school district of residence has a
per student local expenditure
lower than another student
seeking admission.
Inquiries regarding compliance
with this policy may be directed
to the Director of the Early
College High School at
302.678.ECHS (3247).
The Early College High School @ Delaware State University has a vibrant PTSA.
from
the Earlymakes
Collegethe
High
Schoolwork!
at Delaware
State University
Charter
Teamwork
dream
Volunteers
are the heart
andApplication
soul of a PTSA. ECHS
warmly welcomes and appreciates volunteers on campus. We are looking forward to
some wonderful events in 2015!
The ECHS PTSA meets on the third Monday of each month in the school atrium area at
th
6:30 p.m. The next meeting will be held on March 16 . We are seeking volunteers for
executive offices that have recently been vacated. We are looking to fill the Treasurer
and Secretary offices. Please email Danielle Watson, PTSA president, as soon as
possible for more information if you are interested in serving as a PTSA officer.
The school recently received a very generous donation from the Dover Air Force Base
Library. We now have books to begin our library at ECHS! We are looking for volunteers
to help us unpack the books and place them on the shelves. If you are interested in
joining the fun please email Mrs. Watson.
The PTSA currently has three committees: Dance Committee, Fundraising Committee,
and Recruitment Committee.
Dance Committee
Dr. Coffield is looking for parent volunteers to help plan and chaperone a Spring Formal
Dance for the Class of 2018. Funds from this dance will be given to the Class of 2018 for
their class events such as class field trips, senior prom, senior dinner and other class
activities.
Recruitment Committee
th
Parents of incoming freshman for the 2015-2016 school year have until March 20 to
accept or decline the invitation to attend ECHS. Our recruitment efforts must continue
to ensure we have a sufficient wait-list from which to draw if students who were
th
selected in the lottery held on January 30 decline. Parents who are interested in
helping with recruitment efforts should contact Mrs. Danielle Watson for more
information.
Fundraising Committee
The PTSA is planning to hold an indoor yard sale as the next fundraiser. Table spaces
will be sold for a fee. Volunteers are needed to help with set up and tear down.
Information about the event and how to reserve a table will be sent out soon. If you are
able to assist, please contact Mrs. Watson.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Mrs. Danielle Watson, PTSA
President
EMAIL
mrsdaniellewatson@gmail.com or
5 danielle.watson@state.de.us
PHONE: (302) 674-6261
HORNET NEWS ECHS@DSU
Issue 5
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Smarter Balanced Assessment- Parent Information
Dear Families,
During the past few years our public school educators raised their expectations for our students and worked hard to
get them ready for the challenges of college and the jobs of the future. Students are being asked to write more,
think deeply about what they’re reading and solve more complex problems in mathematics. Now, it’s time to check
in on their progress.
This spring, students will take new state assessments in mathematics and English language arts. These tests are
different from those they have taken in the past. But the tests won’t seem unfamiliar to our students because the
questions will be similar to the work they are already doing in class.
I’m writing to make sure that you understand how the tests are different, how they improve on previous state
tests and how the results will help our educators continue to fine-tune their teaching.
A few key points:
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In 2010, Delaware joined more than 40 other states in adopting what are known as the Common Core State
Standards, which set clear, consistent and rigorous learning goals for students at each grade in English
language arts and mathematics. The states voluntarily worked together on these standards, which are
designed to get students ready to succeed at whatever they choose to do after high school.
The new Smarter English Language Arts and Smarter Mathematics assessments allow students to show
how well they have learned the standards for their grade. The tests ask them to write short answers,
complete interesting multi-step tasks and explain their thinking.
The previous assessment was given up to three times a year, but the Smarter test is only required to be
given once a year. We will schedule testing in short sessions between March 10 and June 4 for grades 3 to 8
and April 13 and June 4 for grade 11. Your school will communicate your child’s testing days to you directly.
Your child’s teacher or school may decide to give shorter tests during the year to gauge progress.
No one gets excited about taking a test. But we know that these tests, which Delaware educators helped create,
will provide information that will help our teachers better understand your child’s learning needs. They also will
give you a reliable, meaningful, objective measure of how your child is doing compared to other students in
the district, the state and the nation.
Enclosed please find more information on the tests and how you can help your child at home. Thank you for your
continued support as we work together on behalf of your child.
Sincerely,
Dr. Judi L. Coffield, Director
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Smarter Balanced Assessment- Parent Information
Smarter Assessments 101: What You Need to Know
How are the Smarter English language arts and Smarter math assessments an improvement upon
previous exams?

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ANNUAL: The previous assessments were given as many as three times each year. Schools are
required to give the new assessments only once each spring. But your child’s teacher or school may
decide to give students shorter interim assessments during the year to gauge their progress in specific
content areas or they can decide to give the entire exam in either subject more than once.
MORE QUESTION TYPES: The previous assessment was almost all multiple-choice questions. The
Smarter assessments provide students the opportunity to showcase how they think critically and
problem solve through items that allow the student to explain answers and show deeper knowledge
that are more like what their teachers use on a day-to-day basis (examples on reverse page).
How do these tests help educators?


MEANINGFUL RESULTS: Delaware educators say these exams are more valuable tools for teachers
because they provide a better assessment of student thinking and understanding.
INSTRUCTIONAL IMPACT: The results of the annual test and the shorter interim assessments help
educators by identifying areas where students are struggling so they can adjust instruction to
reteach needed content and skills.
What else do I need to know?


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SCORE REPORTS: The Smarter assessments require written responses that must be scored
individually by people trained to judge them objectively. This process takes longer than it does for a
computer to score multiple-choice tests. So families will receive score reports from the state in late
July that will include detailed information on their children’s scores, what they mean and how families
can support their children’s learning at home.
EXPECTED RESULTS: Because the Smarter assessments are testing higher-level skills and
understanding, we expect students to find them more challenging. We know fewer students will be
proficient on this test than on the DCAS. That does not mean students are learning less. Instead, it
indicates that Delaware public schools are expecting more from students and the assessment is
designed to measure how many are reaching the new bar
For a detailed calendar, which includes other tests your child may be required to take, go to
www.doe.k12.de.us and click on Assessment and then DeSSA.
For Spanish translation, go to www.DelExcels.org
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Smarter Balanced Assessment- Parent Information
Example: Mathematics Grade 4
Example: English Language Arts Grade 11
For more information on how to help your child at home and a link to practice exams go to:
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www.DelExcels.org.
HORNET NEWS ECHS@DSU | Issue 5
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ECHS@DSU Board of Directors
Dr. Alton Thompson | President
athompson@desu.edu
Dr. Rebecca Fox-Lykens |Secretary
rlykens@desu.edu
Dr. Teresa Hardee | Treasurer
thardee@desu.edu
Dr. John Austin
aaustin@desu.edu
Ms. Joan Engle
joanengle@yahoo.com
Ms. Lois Hobbs
loishobbs6@gmail.com
Dr. Marshá Horton
mhorton@desu.edu
Charles S. McDowell, Esq.
cmcdowell@potteranderson.com
Dr. Stephanie Wright
swright@udel.edu
Mrs. Danielle Watson
mrsdaniellewatson@gmail.com
Mrs. Grace Parfitt
Grace.Parfitt@echs.k12.de.us
Dr. Bob Martin
bmartin@desu.edu
Dr. Robert Dayton
Bob.dayton@delawarebio.org
School Board Responsibilities
1. Research-based curriculum and instructional
strategies, to particularly include the curriculum
and instructional strategies of the proposed
educational program.
2. Business management, including but not limited
to accounting and finance.
3. Personnel Management.
4. Diversity issues, including but not limited to
outreach, student recruitment, and instruction.
5. At-risk populations and children with disabilities,
including but not limited to students eligible for
special education and related services.
6. School operations, including but not limited to
facilities management.
The ECHS Board of Directors meets on the third Thursday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in the Early College
High School atrium. All are welcome to attend. The next meeting will be held on March 5, 2015.
The 2015 meeting dates are: March 19, April 16, May 21, June 18, July (no meeting), August 20
For Information About School Delays and
Closings:
Early College High School website:
http://echs.desu.edu/
ECHS facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/echs.desu
DOE school closing website:
http://schoolclosings.delaware.gov/
Local news outlets
Messages will also be sent out via our alert
system. Please ensure your contact
information including phone numbers and
email addresses are up to date.
Flu: Time to Give it a Shot! Source: CDC
Did you get your flu shot yet? If not – it should be at the top of your to-do
list.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends
nearly everyone six months and older get a flu shot. It’s especially
important for vulnerable populations – the very young, people 65 and
older, pregnant women and those with chronic conditions such as
asthma, diabetes and heart and lung disease as well as weakened
immune systems. But the healthiest among us need it, too. Flu activity in
the U.S. tends to pick up in the fall and peak between January and March.
But the risk can last through May. Remember: You need a flu shot every
year.
Other tips to prevent getting and spreading the flu:

Wash hands frequently

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue or your arm when you
sneeze (not your hand)

Steer clear of people who are sick
9 Stay home if you feel sick or have a fever

If you think you have the flu, see a health care provider
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Mission
The mission of Early College High School at Delaware State University is to provide highly motivated students with a curriculum
concentrating on science, technology, engineering, and math that is integrated with the relevant curriculum at Delaware State
University such that all students graduate with one to two years of college credits, preparing them for completion of a four-year
college program. The school shall provide a safe, caring, and nurturing environment that develops the academic and social skills and
personal character traits necessary for successful college completion, with a special focus on first-generation and other
underrepresented college attendees.
Vision
Early College High School at Delaware State University will be a nationally recognized early college, STEM-focused high school that
increases access to higher education and produces students who have the expectations and skills to make a significant impact in the
global community.
Goals and Educational Objectives
The goals and educational objectives of the Early College High School at Delaware State University are:
1
1. To provide each and every student with the necessary Habits of Mind for approaching new learning challenges with the
following mindsets, outlooks and intellectual processes:
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Open-minded, flexible thinking
Listening with curiosity; seeking understanding
Persistence in the face of challenges
A focus on the long and broad view
Seeking, listening to, and valuing diverse perspectives and approaches
Intellectual risk-taking
Seeking to understand how one thing connects to and intersects with another
Artistic sensibility
Considering the ethical implications of questions, problems, and novel situations
Exhibiting a healthy skepticism
Analyzing the critical assumptions behind any line of reasoning
Applying past knowledge to new situations
Humility; the ability to express joy at the success of others
st
2. To develop students 21 century skills in order to survive and thrive in a complex connected world, which include:
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Possessing a deep, rich knowledge of core content areas and the ability to see connections among the disciplines
Self-motivation and self-direction
Exercising thoughtful social and cross-cultural skills
Evaluating text and images for purpose and understanding
Accessing, analyzing, evaluating, synthesizing and applying information
Communicating (orally, in writing, digitally, and non-verbally) with clarity and precision in ways that are appropriate to
the venue, audience and media
Using creativity and innovation to solve problems
Working effectively with others; being a contributing team member
Employing effective time management and organizational skills
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Throughout history, people have concerned themselves with the transmission of shared values, attitudes, and skills from one generation to the next.
Similarly, there are certain thinking skills associated with science, mathematics, and technology that young people need to develop during their
school years. Taken together, these values, attitudes, and skills can be thought of as “habits of mind,” because they all relate to a person’s outlook on
knowledge, learning, and ways of thinking and acting. Adapted from Chapter 12: Habits of Mind,
www.project2061.org/publications/sfaa/online/chap.12.htm
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HORNET NEWS ECHS@DSU | Issue 5
Hornet News
ECHS@DSU
1570 N du Pont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
11
Teacher and Staff Contact Information
Mr.
Barry
Young
Barry.Young@echs.k12.de.us
Science
Mr.
Michael
Sanchez
Michael.Sanchez@echs.k12.de.us
Math
Mrs.
Grace
Parfitt
Grace.Parfitt@echs.k12.de.us
English
Mr.
Robert
Grimm
Robert.Grimm@echs.k12.de.us
Social
Studies
Mrs.
Alyssa
Wright
Alyssa.Wright@echs.k12.de.us
STEM
Mr.
Michael
Roscoe
Michael.Roscoe@echs.k12.de.us
Guidance
Counselor
Ms.
Kate
Krieger
Kathryn.Krieger@echs.k12.de.us
Nurse
Ms.
Kizzi
Smith
ksmith@innovativeschools.org
Operations
Manager
Dr. Judi
Coffield
jcoffield@desu.edu or
Director
Judi.Coffield@echs.k12.de.us
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dr. Judi L. Coffield, Director
1570 N. du Pont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
www.echs.desu.edu
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Contact Info
jcoffield@desu.edu
302.678.ECHS | 3247