Allyson Smith, Principal at Wacousta Elementary
September 12, 2025 -Wacousta Weekly Updates
This first FULL week of school was busy in the best way! From the excitement of Homecoming spirit days to cheering on our Comets, there was no shortage of school pride and community spirit. It’s been wonderful to see students settling into the year, making connections, and bringing great energy to our classrooms. If your child came home a little extra tired this week, they are not alone—we all felt it, but in the best way possible!
NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association
This week K-3 students took the MAP® Growth™ test from NWEA®. Fourth grade will take the assessment this coming week. MAP Growth scores help teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth. Teachers use results to tailor classroom lessons and set goals for students.
MAP Growth tests are unique and adapt to your child’s responses to measure your child’s knowledge. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. These results will provide a more complete picture of where your child is on their learning journey— regardless of whether they are on, above, or below their grade level.
DIBELS - Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills
Students are also in the midst of taking the DIBELS assessment. DIBELS stands for Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, and represents a system of assessments that allow us to determine how students are performing on important reading skills. The assessment takes approximately 2-6 minutes to complete.
A student’s scores on the DIBELS measures provide information about whether or not students are on track for grade level reading success. The scores show areas where students are doing well and areas where they may need additional support.
Both assessments provide immediate and accurate information about your child’s learning, allowing for teachers to identify students with similar scores, in similar skills and topics, and then plan instruction accordingly.
Results will be sent home when the district assessment window closes in a few weeks. In the meantime, we are truly excited to use this information to focus on your child’s individual growth and achievement.
How We Teach Literacy in GLPS
Grand Ledge Public Schools has added a new resource to our Academic Services webpage that explains recent changes to how we are teaching literacy. This page is designed to help caregivers better understand our approach, why we are making these shifts, and what it means for student learning. We encourage all families to view this resource here: How We Teach Literacy in GLPS.
PTIA Fall Fundraiser
Our PTIA fundraiser is off to a fantastic start! So far, we’ve raised an impressive $3,240 with 63 students registered to participate. In the past two years we’ve averaged about 45% student participation, so we are hoping to continue to have students participate. We’re also excited that every classroom has at least one student registered already! Current classroom leaders are: Miss Heiler’s K class with $240, Mrs. Parsons’ 1st grade with $330, Ms. Gill’s 2nd grade with $155, Mr. Sewick’s 3rd grade with $275, and Mrs. O’Brien’s 4th grade leading the way with $400. Way to go, Comets!
Upcoming Events, District News, & Community Information
To review what the school district shares in newsletters about events, news, and information, please visit http://GLcomets.net/Upcoming.
As we head into the next stretch of the school year, I want to thank you for partnering with us to make this such a positive start. Our Wacousta Comets have already shown so much pride, spirit, and determination, and I can’t wait to see all they will accomplish. Enjoy cheering on the Comets this weekend, and here’s to keeping the momentum going both in the classroom and on the field!
Allyson Smith
Principal, Wacousta Elementary School
9325 Herbison Rd., Eagle, MI 48822 (517) 925-5940 FAX (517) 925-5970
