IT BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME!!!

To the STUDENTS:  I hope everyone is ready to “hit the books and put their thinking caps on”.  Many of you have grown over the summer both physically and mentally.  As you continue to grow, their is an expectation that you will take more responsibility for your education.  You can do this by completing your homework every night; taking notes and asking questions in class; and by keeping your parents informed.  


To the PARENTS:  Moms and Dads, I hope you are ready to work hard this school year as well.  It use to be that each year parents were encouraged to pull back and let go a little so that the children will do most of the work independently -  well not anymore.  Students have a lot of work to do and need your help staying motivated, getting organized, and getting reinforcement of skills and concepts outside of school.

There will be many activities to get involve with during the school year, but be sure to not let them become priority over your child’s school work.  The MSA is still in effect and everyone will be testing this year.

There are a lot of new things coming with the new school year.  This year you will hear about the phrasing in of “Common Core” and the phrasing out of “No Child Left Behind”.   There will continue to be MSA testing and every child will be expected to pass and stay on grade level.  Your child(ren) will have test scores to aim for AND the schools will have report cards and objectives in testing to meet.  So, what does this mean to you and why is this considered NEW?  Well, if your child is not able to keep up, you will have to worry about retention.  Now parents have to not only look about their child’s grades based upon work done in class, but they have to also look at and know their child’s test scores.  Did your child score below, above, or on grade level last year.   If it was below or at the lower end of grade level, what does that mean for the coming school year.  Will your child be put in special classes or be a part of pull-out groups because they did not score where that needed to???  These are questions you NEED to ask yourself and answer.  
Keep your eyes open, many schools will be testing the students during the first three weeks or so of school.                            

WHAT'S HAPPENING @ K-I-S

This summer we had our first summer enrichment program at Ascension Lutheran School in Landover Hills, MD.  It was a three sessions, six week opportunity for students to keep skills fresh in their minds and to brush up on skills and concepts that didn’t quite stick during the year.  
Next year we plan to do it again.  

This year there has been a slight change to our name and logo.  Keeping-In-Step Tutoring (KIS) has been changed to Keeping-In-Step Educational Services, Inc. (KIS Educational Services, Inc.)

Expanding K-I-S Services:
This year KIS will be expanding its program.  We will be hosting Saturday Workshops for parents and students. Some of our topics are:
*ACT/SAT Test Prep
*GED Test Prep and Pre-Test
*Organization and Study Skills
*College Application Prep (How to complete student essays, completing the Federal Student   Financial Aid Form (FSFAF)