By Dr. Annette Weissman



Let me begin by wishing everyone a very happy New Year. During the school winter recess, educators have an opportunity to step away from the classroom and spend more time with family and friends and that is exactly what I did.  I sincerely hope you had a chance to enjoy some time with people dear to you.

But as the end of the break nears, most educators take time to reflect on what they have accomplished and where they need to focus when they return.  At Sunny Isles Beach Community School, we are very proud of our students and their successes and we are very eager to continue to support them in their studies and their extra -curricular activities. 

How will we do that in 2010?  First and foremost, we will ensure that students are well prepared for the upcoming state assessments. In February our fourth grade students will take the FCAT Writing Test .The fourth grade team of teachers has been working tirelessly with our young writers so that they know how to express themselves with an enriched vocabulary and clarity of thought.  What wonderful skills to master!  These children leave fourth grade with the knowledge that they are authors capable of sharing an idea with the world.

In March, all of our students will be participating in some formal assessments.  Our first and second grade students will take a standardized test known as the SAT 10 which will assess their reading and mathematics skills.  This is the first year that all first graders in the District will be tested.  Students in grades three through seven take the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests in reading and mathematics.  Our fifth grade students also take a science test.  The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test® (FCAT) is part of Florida’s overall plan to increase student achievement by implementing higher standards. The FCAT consists of criterion-referenced tests (CRT) in mathematics, reading, science, and writing, which measure student progress toward meeting the Sunshine State Standards (SSS) benchmarks.  For additional information on the FCAT, log on to www.fldoe.org  where you can find answers to all of your questions.

The students at SIBCS have academic support before school, during school, and after school through our tutoring programs and our computer-based programs. In addition to our structured tutorial programs, many of our teachers arrive early and stay late just to work with their students.  Their dedication makes a huge difference in our students’ performance, but we also need the support and commitment of our parents.  Once again, I remind parents to check their children’s agendas for homework assignments , check their book-bags for important messages and handouts, and to stay in close contact with the teacher to maximize your child’s learning experience.  As always, when the home and the school work as a team, the results are very positive.

In addition to our rigorous curriculum, SIBCS sponsors extra-curricular activities before and after school for our intermediate and middle school students.  We recently launched a Chess Club and a SECME group to complement our Art Club, Student Government Association, K-Kids, and Future Educators of America group.  This month we are adding a literacy club.  Our talented students and teachers are involved in their school and their community.  They are learning about civic and personal responsibility and giving back to the community.

I know that 2010 will be filled with new challenges and more successes as our students, teachers, and parents continue their journey together.  It is an unbeatable team!