▼

Choir

Show All Answers

1. How do I audition for an Honor Choir or Band?

Please speak with Mrs. McGuffin at the beginning of the school year.

2. When will the Middle School Band and Choir concerts be held?

Dates for all events will be determined at the beginning of the school year. Website information will be updated and letters will be sent home.

▼

Colorado Student Assessment Program

Show All Answers

1. What is CSAP?

CSAP stands for Colorado Student Assessment program. It is a test designed to measure student achievement in relationship to the Colorado Model Content Standards. These standards are expectations specifying what students should know at particular points in their education. As a result, CSAP provides a series of snapshots of student achievement in reading, writing, math, and science as they move through grades 3-10.

2. Who writes the CSAP assessments?

CSAP is developed collaboratively by the testing contractor and Colorado Department of Education (CDE). Teachers, curriculum specialists, and community members from across the state are involved in constructing each new assessment.

3. How long does the test take?

Each subject area of the CSAP (reading, writing, math, and science) takes three testing sessions. Third grade reading and writing are the exception, which take two testing sessions. Testing sessions last about an hour.

4. Who scores the tests?

Multiple choice questions are machine-scored. The open-ended written responses are scored by well-trained, certified scorers. All the scorers have college degrees.

5. How did the State decide who would be advanced, proficient, partially proficient, or unsatisfactory?

The performance levels were established by Colorado teachers from across the state. Each question / item was discussed in order to specify knowledge, skills, and abilities that students should have to correctly answer the question or item. A complete examination of the question is available on the CDE's Website

6. Is my child required to take the CSAP?

Yes, every student enrolled in grades 3-10 are expected to take an assessment in reading, writing, and math. Grades five, eight, and 10 are expected to take an assessment in science.

7. My child is a special needs student. Does he/she have to take the CSAP?

Appropriate accommodations are allowed to assist students with special needs in taking the assessment. Each school district determines when it is not appropriate to administer the CSAP to certain students. Students with significant disabilities may have a different level of expectation and would not benefit by taking the CSAP. In Spring 2001, an alternate assessment program (CSAP-A) became available.

8. Can I see or get a copy of the test my child takes?

Before the test, no. Only those involved in developing and giving the test can see it before the students take it.

After the test, 25 percent of the items are released to the public so one can see actual examples of CSAP test questions. A supervised review of the test can be arranged by the Student Assessment Unit of the Colorado Department of Education.

9. If my child does not make an effort to do well on his/her test, how does it affect his/her grade?

This decision is made at each school or district. However, no matter what decision the school or district makes, it is important that all students give their best on this test so they can demonstrate what they know and can do.

10. Why do schools take so much time to get ready to take the CSAP? Are teachers ignoring other important skills and subjects such as social studies, art, music, and physical education?

Because CSAP was designed to assess how well students have met the Colorado Model Content Standards, teachers should be preparing students for CSAP through their everyday curriculum.

11. I am disappointed that my child scored Partially Proficient. Does that mean that he/she failed the test and is below grade level in that subject?

The Colorado Model Content Standards are rigorous standards. Colorado educators who set the performance levels held very high expectations for all students. Many students who perform at the partially proficient level are demonstrating considerable academic skills and abilities, however, their performance on CSAP was not consistently high enough to meet the CSAP rigorous standards.

12. What happens with the results of the CSAP? Who gets to see my child’s CSAP score?

Results will generate information about how well schools and students are performing statewide, using a common yardstick — the Colorado Model Content Standards. The Colorado Department of Education is required by law to report CSAP results for the state and for all local school districts. Individual student scores are released only to the school and school district. Teachers are encouraged to share this information with each student’s parents. School, District, and statewide scores are public records, individual scores are not public records.

13. What are accommodations?

An accommodation allows students to have access to the CSAP without changing the expectations. A student can use an accommodation if he/she has receive that same accommodation in class for at least three months.

14. Is CSAP available in Spanish?

The CSAP assessments are available in Spanish for third and fourth grade reading and writing.

15. What happens if a school does not score well on the CSAP?

According to legislation, low-performing schools can obtain assistance from the Colorado Department of Education in the development of a School Improvement Plan.

▼

Counseling

Show All Answers

1. What does a school counselor do?

School Counselors are professional educators that have a unique mental health perspective and understand and respond to the challenges presented by today's diverse student population. The school counselor works as a team with school staff, parents, and the community to create a caring school climate and attitude. School Counselors provide the school, staff, and community with the following services:

• Individual student planning - Helping students establish personal goals and plans for the future
• Responsive Services - Individual or group counseling, referrals to other school support services or outside community resources, and developing confidential relationships with students to help them resolve or cope with their problems and developmental concerns


• School Guidance Curriculum - This curriculum consists of structured lessons designed to help students achieve the desired competencies and to provide all students with the knowledge and skills appropriate for their developmental level

2. What do school counselors do?

School counselors adress the academic and developmental needs of all students,not just those in need through collaboration with students,parents,school staff and the community. School counselors design,implement,and maintain guidance programs that align with the educational mission and philosophies of their schools and school districts. These programs help develop competencies in academic achievement,personal and social development, and career planning. School counselors follow a comprehensive guidance curriculum to work with students in individual,small group,and classroom settings. School counselors help students create an academic plan for their education to prepare for successful careers after graduation.They also help students respond to obstacles that may form barriers to learning by helping students respond to issues such as divorce and adolescence.

3. How do i make an appoitment with the counselor?

All students and parents have the option of initiating an appooitment with the counselor by calling 683-2700,ext.117 at the elementary school or ext.234 at the middle school or by requesting a appoitment. If the counselor feels the need to work with a student on an ongoing basis whether it be individual or in a group,parent permission is required.

▼

Ellicott Middle School

Show All Answers

1. What does my child need to bring to school?

School supply lists are in the district office, middle school office, and can be found on the district website under: Document Center - Middle School

2. When does enrollment begin?

August 1st between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

3. Does my child need a lock for their locker?

Grades six and seven will not need a lock. Eighth graders will need a combination lock. School locks can be rented from the school for $5.

4. What is Middle School dress code policy?

The Student/Parent handbook is available for viewing on the website. Please access Document Center from the main page and then go to Middle School.

▼

Information Technology

Show All Answers

1. Internal use: How do I check my email from home?

To check your email, open up Webmail (there is a link for it on the Ellicott School District home page) and use your network account name and password to login. Webmail

2. Internal use: What are these mail summary messages I keep getting?

I have installed a new spam filter. One of the features of it is to send everyone a daily informational message telling you how many spam messages it blocked for you, how many had viruses, ect. If one of the blocked emails was legitimate, it gives you the flexibility to "Deliver Once" or "Always Allow" (see below).

If you don't want these emails:
You can simply delete these emails everyday without reading them, or prior to opening the email you can right-click on it, go down to Junk E-mail, and click "Add Sender to blocked senders list," then if you need to view it latter it will be in your Junk E-mail folder.

3. Internal use: How do I configure my iPhone to check my ESD email account?

On your iPhone, open the Settings program, Mail, Add Account, MS Exchange

Enter your ESD Internet email address
Domain: leave blank
Username: enter your network login account name
Password: enter your network login account password
Description: Ellicott

Server: mail.ellicottschools.org
Use SSL: ON

▼

Library / Media Center

Show All Answers

1. Can parents check out books?

Absolutely, just stop by and fill out our Patron Application for Parents to get a library account set up.

2. How many books can my child check out at a time?

The limit is three books for each two-week period.

3. How does my child get a school network account to access the Internet for school use?

Each student must have a signed Internet Use Agreement form on record. Forms are available in each school library media center and are to be read and signed by the student and the parent / legal guardian. A network account is then created for the student based on parental approval.

▼

Superintendent

Show All Answers

1. How do I register my elementary (grades pre-school to fifth) children?

Call the elementary office at (719) 683-2700 ext. 1 or stop by their office at 399 S. Ellicott Highway.

2. How do I register my middle school (grades 6-8) children?

Call the middle school office at (719) 683-2700 ext. 2 or stop by their office at 350 S. Ellicott Highway.

3. How do I register my high school (grades 9-12) children?

Call the high school office at (719) 683-2700 ext. 3 or stop by their office at 375 S. Ellicott Highway.