2019 CMAS Testing Information

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Policy IKA-E parent request for exemption from State Assessments Form – Click Here for the form. Completed forms should be returned to the principal’s office or district office.

CMAS parent letter 2019

Dear parents,

That time of year is here again to begin preparing for the annual statewide assessments. Our 3rd through 8th graders soon will begin taking the statewide assessments that are aligned to the Colorado Academic Standards and measure real world skills like problem-solving, communicating and thinking critically, all essential for success in college and careers. These assessments, examine students’ knowledge in English language arts, math, science and social studies and will be given over a three-week window between April 9 and April 26.

Colorado ninth-graders will take the PSAT 8-9 as the statewide assessment in English language arts and math. Colorado’s 10th-grade students will continue to take the PSAT 10, and 11th-grade students will take the SAT. 

The overall goal is to ensure all students are prepared for college or careers when they leave high school. These tests provide a snapshot of how our students are progressing toward that goal and how our teachers can better help them achieve it. It is also important to remember these tests are just one measure of a student’s progress, but they are the only common measurement that helps parents understand how their children are doing compared with their peers around the state, how the school is performing and how the district is doing overall. Data from the tests also helps policymakers identify what schools or districts need more help and which ones should be celebrated for their successes.

But the information is only good if students take the assessments. In recent years, the state has worked to reduce the number and length of tests for our students in an effort to answer the call from parents who were unhappy about the overload.

State law requires local school boards to develop a policy allowing parents to excuse their students from participating in 1 or more state assessments. Thus, districts cannot impose negative consequences on students or parents if a parent excuses their student from an assessment. Likewise, districts cannot impose burdens on students to discourage them from participating in an assessment. However, Huerfano RE-1 encourages parents to have all children take the assessments. We need to meet the 95% threshold of students testing in order to avoid any decline in our schools or district accreditation ratings.

We strongly encourage all students to take all tests so that we may have an accurate, positive outcome for all. Opt-out forms are available at all schools via the school secretary/Principal. Prior to completing an opt-out form it is necessary to consult with the school Principal.

Parents, please consider that your child/children:

  • Are well rested by getting enough sleep so as to be alert and at their physical/mental best to test
  • Are nutritionally sound by eating a proper breakfast and lunch at school or at home
  • Are motivated to make every effort to do their very best

I thank you for considering that all children take all assessments and that all children attempt to do their very best. Good luck to all! 

Respectfully,

Michael J Moore

Superintendent Huerfano RE-1 School District

Huerfano County Flood Prep and Pre-Registration

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This post is in cooperation with the Huerfano County Office of Emergency Management.

They strongly advise everyone who may be impacted by flooding to sign up for Pre Registration – Dates are available are as follows:

Walsenburg Residents please go to the Community Center located at 928 Russell Street in Walsenburg on the following dates:

  • Friday, March 8, 2019  8:00am-10:00am
  • Friday, March 15, 2019  8:00am-10:00am
  • Friday, March 22, 2019 8:00am-10:00am
  • Friday, March 29, 2019  8:00am-10:00am

Here is the flier and the maps provided by Huerfano OEM.

Pre Registration & Maps

For More information, including many other resources, please visit http://fire.huerfano.us

School board appreciation

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Please celebrate, along with me, the appreciation and recognition of our 7 school board members who voluntarily give so much of their time listening to concerns and making many decisions related to our students, families, staff members and community. Often times being a board member is a thankless job yet I, we, thank you immensely for your service to the school district. It is not an easy job and sometimes the decision making process and ensuing votes are difficult and not without controversy. I, we, respect your decision making skills and the ability to stand tall with your decision when guided by fact even if not the popular choice. Thank you for exercising your sound judgement, voting intelligence, and desire to do what is best for all concerned. You, President Sherry Gomez, Vice President Gretchen Sporleder Orr, Treasurer Julia Marchant, Secretary Dorothy Martinez and members David Tesitor, Eva Vigil and Jaye Sudar are appreciated and valued! Thank you for being you. Please give a hats off and a thank you when you see these folks out and about in Walsenburg or Gardner.

Superintendent Mike Moore

Update for 1/15/2019 From Superintendent Moore

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Today’s post is an attempt to answer some questions that some of you have asked but please bear in mind that there is still an ongoing investigation by the sheriff’s department.
Has the issue been resolved? The issue has been resolved to a degree that we feel safe to hold school under normal conditions. Have the guns been found? 2 of the 4 weapons have been found and a suspect is in jail. Are the 3 incidents connected? No, it is our belief, as well as the sheriff’s department, after conducting interviews, that the incident of a verbal threat intended for the Assistant Principal was not related to any of the break-ins at 2 faculty member’s homes in which weapons and a few other items were stolen.The verbal comment from a student never stated violence with a weapon or words that would suggest any harm to our kids.etc. Will the children be safe going back to school? No threat? Yes, I firmly believe the children will be safe or I would not have reopened school. There has been no known threat or statement, verbal, written or overheard about violence or harm directed at our students or staff as a result of or because of the stolen weapons. The break-ins are being viewed as incidents in and of themselves and perhaps very likely connected. The 1 break-in happened in Las Animas County and is thus the investigation of their sheriff’s department. I have no updates that I can release on the progress of their investigation. Both departments are trying to connect the dots to determine if there is any connection to both crimes.

I have always made decisions based 100% on the side of caution & safety for our children be it during inclement weather or other situations that have arisen. Safety for our students and employees is always our top priority and concern.
I hope these responses have helped to answer your questions. Thank you.
Superintendent Moore