Reed asks Hoosiers to be more ‘water wise’ in September

kpaul.mallasch — Tue, 9 Sep 2008 18:45:23 -0700

Learn Green, Live Green focus for September: H2Know: Water Conservation

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Precious little freshwater exists. Did you know that if the entire world’s water were to fit into a gallon jug, the amount of freshwater would be just one tablespoon full?

Every day, each North American uses 50 to 70 gallons of water indoors and about the same amount outdoors, depending on the season. In contrast, the average person in the developing world uses approximately 2.6 gallons each day. Startling numbers such as these underscore the importance of Indiana’s Learn Green, Live Green focus for September: H2Know: Water Conservation.

“We all need to be more water wise in our daily lives,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed. “That means not only conserving the amount of water we use but also doing our part to preserve the quality of water for future generations.”

Water conservation

When most people think about water conservation, quantity first comes to mind. However, water quality is equally important. There are simple things Hoosiers can do every day at home, at school and at work to become more water wise and truly make a difference. Go online to www.doe.in.gov/green for tips, fun facts, school projects, reading lists and much more.

Saint Joe’s Riverdale Elementary committed to outdoor education

Riverdale Elementary students in Saint Joe have a unique classroom – the outdoors. When the weather is nice, students study nature up close along the St. Joseph River Greenway, a 1.3-mile paved walkway along the St. Joseph River in DeKalb County.

The Greenway is a seven-year collaborative effort between the DeKalb County Eastern School District and the community of Saint Joe. It features outdoor classrooms, bird houses, trees and even wetlands; making science, environmental education and water conservation efforts come to life for the students.

“This is a great resource for the whole community,” said Brennen Kitchen, principal at Riverdale Elementary School. “The kids are proud of it, and the community is proud of it. The town board has even stepped in to provide resources.”

To learn more about the St. Joseph River Greenway in Saint Joe and what other schools across the state are doing to “go green,” visit www.doe.in.gov/green and click on the Spotlights link.

Keep up the ‘green’ work

Although this month’s focus is water conservation, Hoosiers should take a look at all the other Learn Green, Live Green initiatives such as recycling, reducing waste, using renewable resources, choosing more environmentally friendly transportation and learning more about beneficial organisms. For more information on our past initiatives, visit www.doe.in.gov/green and click through the different months on each of the tabs or go to the Recycle Bin.

Learn Green, Live Green

Learn Green, Live Green is a year-long initiative, launched in January 2008, that is designed to help educators, students, parents and community members discover practical, cost-effective ways to model environmentally-responsible behavior both inside and outside of the classroom. The Learn Green, Live Green concept fits naturally with Indiana’s academic standards, local school curricula and student learning goals at each grade level. Local participation is completely voluntary.

Each month in 2008, the Indiana Department of Education spotlights a different aspect of the issue through an interactive Web site, www.doe.in.gov/green, while offering a variety of related resources for schools and communities.

Source: Indiana DOE

Reed encourages students, families to get ready for ISTEP+

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 8 Sep 2008 13:45:30 -0700

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - With ISTEP+ testing beginning at schools statewide next week, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed encourages Hoosier families to do their part to help students prepare. Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress-Plus (or ISTEP+) begins September 15, so be sure to check with your school for local testing dates within the statewide September 15-26 window.

“ISTEP+ shows us what Indiana students know and are able to do, and families can follow some simple steps now to make sure our students are prepared to do their best,” Reed said.

Based on Indiana’s Academic Standards, ISTEP+ provides a learning check-up designed to make sure students are on track and to identify which areas need improvement. The test includes multiple choice, short answer and essay questions covering English/language arts and mathematics at each grade level as well as science at grades 5 and 7.

High school Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) testing will take place September 16-18. Incoming high school sophomores (class of 2011) will be the last group of students to take the current GQE that covers English and math skills through grade 9. Incoming freshmen (class of 2012) will be the first group of students to take the new GQE which consists of Algebra I and English 10 exams taken after students complete the corresponding course. For most students, that will be in late spring 2009. Visit www.doe.in.gov/istep for more details.

A solid academic foundation is essential to a successful future. ISTEP+ is designed to make sure Indiana students master the basic skills on their way to earning a high school diploma. If students don’t pass the test, that signals they need some extra help. Though the true preparation for ISTEP+ takes place throughout the entire year leading up to the test, students and families should follow the simple steps below to get ready for ISTEP+:

How can students get ready for ISTEP+?

Be prepared. Cramming for any test is never the best way to prepare. Keep up with your homework and ask your teachers for help when you need it.
Ask for help. If you’ve had trouble with ISTEP+ in the past, ask a teacher, counselor or parent about extra help now.
Review. In the weeks before your test, take it seriously when your teachers review important information.
Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed a little earlier so you get a good night’s sleep. Being well rested will give you an extra boost of energy for test day.
Have a good breakfast. Eat protein (eggs, meat, cheese, etc.), which will help you perform better than a sugary doughnut. Too much food can make you feel sleepy, so don’t overdo it.
Take a break. Get some exercise during your breaks or after school to keep your energy up.
Double-check your work. Get in the habit now of double-checking your work and proofreading your answers on homework to be ready to find mistakes on test days.

What can parents do to help students prepare for ISTEP+?

Stay connected. Cramming for a test rarely results in the type of learning that will stay with your child throughout his or her life. The best preparation is to provide consistent support for your child throughout his or her education.
Know what’s expected. Read Indiana’s Academic Standards (www.doe.in.gov/standards) so you know what your child should know and be able to do, reinforce these expectations at home and stay connected to your child’s academic performance throughout the year.
Check grades. Your son or daughter may say things are “fine” at school but don’t stop checking report cards, progress reports or, if available, your child’s online grades or class progress.
Talk to the teacher. Teachers know how hard students are working, how well they are behaving, quality of their homework and what areas need improvement. Collect e-mail addresses or phone numbers of all your child’s teachers and check in periodically.
Don’t buckle on homework. If your child is not studying at home, ask why, and double-check with teachers. It’s tough to hold the line, but making sure your child does his or her homework is important for academic success.
Ask for help. Students who are struggling in a particular class may need extra help after school or with a tutor. Find out from your school where you can go for help and make sure your student gets the help he or she needs. Catching a problem area now can make a big difference.
Go to parent meetings. Most schools offer parent nights or teacher/parent sessions that provide great information. Check your school’s calendar at the beginning of the year and plan to attend.
Get involved. Nothing will have a bigger impact on your student’s success than your involvement in his or her education.

Indiana Department of Education - DOE

Reed asks Hoosiers to be more ‘water wise’ in September

Reed encourages students, families to get ready for ISTEP+