September 12, 2025 - Elementary School Principal Blog
Mr Geoff Heney
Dear Elementary School Families,
During the first few weeks of school, we gather information to better understand our students as learners. This past week, students in Grades 2–5 took the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment. In addition, all students from Chinthe Cubs through Grade 5 have completed baseline classroom assessments in reading, writing, math, and in some cases fine motor skills.
MAP is only one small indicator of a child’s growth and achievement. While it provides useful data on specific academic skills, it does not tell the whole story of your child as a learner. That is why our teachers also use classroom-based assessments and daily observations to capture a more complete picture.
By looking at all of this together: looking at MAP results alongside reading benchmarks, writing samples, and math performance, teachers are able to:
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Identify individual strengths and areas for growth.
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Differentiate instruction to meet students where they are.
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Monitor progress throughout the year and adjust teaching as needed.
To make the best use of this information, ISY has support structures in place that help us respond to both academic and social-emotional needs of our students. These structures ensure that assessment data does not stand alone, but is used in collaboration with other supports to guide teaching, intervention, and enrichment. The chart below provides an overview of these supports across all grade levels, showing how we work together as a community to ensure that every child is cared for, supported, and celebrated.
Our ultimate goal is to ensure that every child is supported, challenged, and celebrated in their learning journey. Thank you for partnering with us in this important work.
If you have questions about MAP testing or classroom assessments, please reach out to your child’s teacher, to Ms. Stacey (Associate Principal of Curriculum and Assessment), or to me.
Wishing you all a most wonderful weekend ahead.
Regards,
Mr Geoff Heney
Elementary School Principal
Student Support at ISY: From Chinthe Cubs to Grade 12
✨ What’s On:
Pride of the Principal Recognition
This week we launched our first Pride of the Principal, a celebration of the ways our students bring the ISY Learner Attributes to life. Some students were formally recognized this week for moments that showed compassion, creativity, courage, collaboration, or respect for others and the environment.
At the same time, these awards are a reminder that every student at ISY contributes to our community of belonging and care, and that these learner attributes are visible across our school each day. Recognition highlights a moment, but the spirit of Pride of the Principal is about celebrating the growth, choices, and actions of all our learners as they continue their journeys as compassionate global citizens.
Early Childhood Parent Partnership: Finding Balance with Media and Tech Use at Home
Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 8:00 AM | ISY Cafeteria (A Building; A107)
As part of ISY’s Digital Citizenship program, this Common Sense Media session is for families with children in Early Childhood (Chinthe Cubs to Kindergarten). This session will explore weekly activities, healthy approaches to screen time, and ways media and technology can support learning and development. Please RSVP with your child’s classroom teacher if you plan to attend.
