Posters around Village Remind Parents To Send Children to School on Test Dates

FREEPORT, N.Y., Nov. 15, 2007
Barbara Behrens/Felicia Febrizio

reeport Public Schools are well aware that it “takes a village” to help children succeed. But sometimes the village could use a reminder. So the district printed posters in English and in Spanish to alert parents and caregivers about the dates for the New York State Assessment Tests, the New York State English as a Second Language Test (NYSESLAT) and the high school Regents Exams. The goal of the effort is to make sure that all students are in school in the weeks leading up to these important tests, and, of course, on the day of the test itself. These important tests are administered to see how well students understand what has been taught, and to help catch early on any learning problems they may have.  

The test dates for the 2007-08 school year are as follows:

NYSESLAT, which is administered to new English language learners in grades K-12, will take place between May 5 and May 16. The high school Regents exams will be given January 22-25 and June 17-26. Parents are urged to take note of these dates when planning family vacations.

The posters, designed by teacher Pat Vollkommer, can be seen in both languages in dozens of stores and businesses throughout the village including supermarkets, bodegas and restaurants. Look for them also in banks, apartment buildings, the library and the various schools in the district. In addition, a flyer-size version of the poster is being sent out with this quarter’s report cards.

“The district is taking every opportunity it can to ensure that students are in school to take these important tests,” said Amanda Vallalba, principal of Giblyn School and an instrumental voice in getting the posters printed. “This is the second year we’re using the posters and we definitely feel that parents, especially those whose native language is not English, better understand the importance of sending their children to school on days that tests are being administered.”

Freeport Public Schools is a diverse, innovative district on Long Island’s South Shore serving about 6,750 students in grades Pre-K through 12. The district and its eight schools take pride in having the region’s only magnet schools of choice, a longstanding and award-winning classroom English/Spanish Dual Language Program, and a high school where students excel in competitions that include the regional Academic Challenge, Odyssey of the Mind and Future Problem Solving International. The district’s New Visions School of Exploration and Discovery has been named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education for its high student performance and engaging curriculum.