Mrs. Downs' Blog

April Update

32 Week Progress Reports to be given out April 17 in Advisement

Update for EOCT' testing dates:

May 4 & 5: Economics (changed from April 30)

May 6 & 7: US History, Biology, Physical Science

May 11 & 12: 9th Lit, American Lit, Geometry, Algebra I

May 13 & 14: Math I and Math II

Spring 2009 Autism Workshop:  Cobb County School District Autism Workshop

Where: East Cobb Middle School - Theater 

When: Saturday, April 25, 2009  

           9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Childcare will be available (Pre-registration is required for childcare)

Topics: Assistive Technology; Family/Sibling Support; Planning for the Future - Waivers; and The NEW Graduation Rule

Contact the Cobb County Special Education Parent Mentor Office for additional information and registration:                                                                                                                               Judith Steuber (770)529-0046 judith.steuber@cobbk12.org                                                               Ijeoma Ajoku (770)520-0046 ijeoma.ajoku@cobbk12.org

Lassiter 2009 Graduation: May 23, 2009 at 2:00 PM - Woodstock Baptist Church

April and "Testing Season"

I hope all have a wonderful Spring Break and return refreshed and ready to face the last 6 weeks of the 2008-2009 school year.

With our return we will beginning our testing season.  Please mark your calendars with the following important dates.

April 15th all 10th graders will be taking Diagnostic Testing during 1st and 2nd periods.

April 30th all Economics classes will take the End of Course Test

May 4 - May 15 all other EOCT's will be administered.  EOCT's count as 15% of this semester's grade.  If a student is absent and does not take the EOCT, they receive and incomplete and no credit for the course until the EOCT is taken.

EOCT Courses are: US History, Biology, Physical Science, 9th Lit/Comp, American Lit/Comp, Algebra I, Geometry, Math I and Math II

January Updates

Please mark your calendar:

Beginning February 14;review/remediation classes for the Georgia High School Graduation Tests will be provided the six Saturdays prior to the tests.  The GHSGT will be given March 23-27.  11th graders working toward either a College Prep or Vocational Diploma are required to take and pass these tests.  As schedules for classes are finalized; I will add this information.

February 7, 2009 - "Looking Toward the Future" Transition Information Fair  will be at Marietta High School from 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM.  This fair is sponsored by the Cobb/Douglas/Marietta Inter-agency and is designed to answer questions regarding transition for students with disabilities once they finish high school. 

February 12, 2009 - "Special Needs Parent Night: Lassiter Cluster" will be at Lassiter High School from 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM.  This meeting is for all parents of special needs students at Davis, Garrison Mill, Mountain View, Rocky Mount, Mabry, Simpson and Lassiter Schools. 

Information on the following topics will be presented:

1. Transition Services

2. Graduation Requirements

3. Legal Aspects of Special Education

4. Understanding Psychological Evaluations

5. Supports for your child at home

6. "Preparing for your Child's IEP"

Presenters for the evening will be Dr. Karla Mantooth, Dr. Carol Seay, Dr. Elizabeth Turnage, Dr. Laurel Kinard, Ms. Judy Harvey, Ms. Ijoema Ajoku, and Ms. Judith Steuber.

February 19-23: Registration for current 9th - 11th grades for core academic classes for the 2009-2010 school year will take place.  Case-managers will be meeting with students to determine registration requests. Registration for electives will be in March.  Once registration is complete, students and parents will be given a copy of the registration requests. 

November and December Updates:

We are now heading into the last 4 weeks of the semester. 

Remember: Math tutoring for the GHSGT is being provided on Tuesday and Thursday during all lunch periods.  This tutoring is specific to the GHSGT and looking at areas of weakness identified by diagnostic testing.  Attendance is by teacher recommendation, only.

    3rd Period  -  Room 304  (Math Hall)  -  Mary Scherer and Pam Chronister

    4th Period  -  Room 218  (Math Hall)  -  Gloria Lassiter and Beverly Brice

    5th  Period  -  Room 1100  (Science Building bottom floor)  -  Rene Stoll and Sue Delaney

End of Course testing for Economics will be December 11 and 12.

Final Exams will be December 17, 18 & 19.

Plans are underway for Lassiter Cluster Parent Night discussing various topics regarding Special Education.

Mark your calendars for February 5.  More information will be coming as plans are finalized. 

Updates for October

October 1 & 2 diagnostic testing for the Language Arts and Math portions of the Georgia High School Graduation Tests will be given to all 11th graders during 6th period.  These tests will be used to determine students at risk of failing the GHSGT and areas of weakness for students to guide instruction and possible remediation. 

October 15 all 9th and 10th graders will be taking the PSAT.  If an 11th grader wants to take the PSAT, they must register through guidance by October 8 and pay $13 (cash or check).

Math tutoring for the GHSGT is being provided on Tuesday and Thursday during all lunch periods.  This tutoring is specific to the GHSGT and looking at areas of weakness identified by diagnostic testing.  Attendance is by teacher recommendation, only.

    3rd Period  -  Room 304  (Math Hall)  -  Mary Scherer and Pam Chronister

    4th Period  -  Room 218  (Math Hall)  -  Gloria Lassiter and Beverly Brice

    5th  Period  -  Room 1100  (Science Building bottom floor)  -  Rene Stoll and Sue Delaney

Wednesday, October 15 will be an Early Release Day.

September Information for Special Education

There are several important dates to remember this month.

Re-takes for the Georgia High School Graduation Test in the subject areas will be given September 15-17:

Monday, September 15 - Language Arts and Math;

Tuesday, September 16 - Science;

Wednesday, September 17 - Social Studies.

All 11th graders will take the GHSGT Writing Test on Wednesday, September 24. Students who did not pass the Writing Test last year will also re-take this test on the 24th.

The first Early Release Day will be Tuesday, September 16.

The first 6 week Progress Reports will be distributed in Advisement on Friday, September 26. 

Pinnacle is up and running.  This is an excellent means for parents and students to monitor both grades and attendance.  Parents who did not receive their Pinnacle password information at Open House can come by the Lassiter Front Office to request this information.