STAR TESTING Over the next three weeks your child, along with all elementary school students in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, will take the Renaissance STAR Reading and STAR Math Assessments. This new assessment system will replace the IOWA test that was previously given each fall. The decision to move from IOWA to STAR was reached through a process of extensive research, including the review of best practices for student assessment that provides information regarding students' strengths and target specific areas for academic growth. Please click here for more information. CHOICELUNCH The school lunch program is off to a great start with an average of 80 students ordering lunch each day. We welcome any feedback you or your children have with regards to this program. The lunches are quite substantial especially for the younger students. Teachers have found that there is more food then they can eat in one sitting. Beginning tomorrow, in grades K-3, students who have ordered a Choicelunch, will receive the snack and fruit/veg that comes with the lunch in the classrooms earlier in the day so that they may have this for their morning snack (you may find that an additional morning snack is not needed). We will try this for a week and see how well it works. Parent volunteers are needed to help with the lunch program. Are you free from 12-1pm on a regular basis, even once or twice a week? This is a great way to earn your parent hours! Let Judy Silva, jsilva@stmsf.org, know if you are available. STREAM (STEM+Art and Religion) On Friday, September 30, we will begin STREAM electives for the 6 th, 7 th and 8 th graders. These classes nurture students' interests and love of learning through a project based learning approach that emphasizes our school learning expectations ( THINK) as well as inspire innovation and creativity. Please discuss these class options with your child. They will be making their selections during class next week. | 
