We have received the results of our 1998 MSPAP tests and are very pleased! Of the 12 areas tested (6 each for 3rd and 5th grades), our students improved the scores in 11! The overall school performance index (SPI) score increased dramatically, from 25.94 on the 1997 results to 36.44 on the 1998 results! This score includes the attendance factor as well as the achievement on each of the tested areas.

Our third graders showed the following gains from 1997 to 1998:

Reading: 13.0 to 28.2
Writing: 13.5 to 27.4
Lang. Usage: 23.8 to 31.8
Math: 11.3 to 15.5
Science: 9.0 to 23.2
Soc. Studies: 12.4 to 25.3

The third grade composite index (overall score for tested areas excluding attendance included) improved from 13.8 to 25.2.

Our fifth grade students showed the following improvements:

Reading: 10.7 to 21.0
Writing: 16.9 to 17.2
Lang. Usage: 25.3 to 31.3
Math: 4.5 to 10.8
Soc. Studies: 11.2 to 9.7 (-1.5 points)

We were very pleased to see this fine improvement in our test results but we know that there is still much work to do. We will be holding a MSPSAP Night for Parents and Children as well as our annual Clinton Grove Comer Day where you will be able to leatn more about how you can assist with MSPAP skills at home. Also, we will be starting a Partners in Print program for parents of primary-aged students. Please be looking for information as we send it home.

In the November issue of the PL HUG you received an overview of the Clinton Grove School Improvement Plan. This improvement plan was submitted to the Chief Educational Administrator for the Surrattsville Cluster for approval. It was then forwarded to the school system office responsible for the school improvement initiative.

On December 23, 1998 we received feedback regarding our plan. Each portion of the plan was evaluated and scored. In seven of the 10 rated areas we received perfect scores! In the other three areas we lost a total of six points for a final score of 94 points out of 100! We were especially pleased with these results because this was the first time this format for the plan was used.

We implemented the plan the first day of school and believe that we will continue to see improvements in our students' performance on MSPAP and other tests of achievement. We are also working to achieve the excellent rating for attendance (96% ADA - average daily attendance). Ours is about 95.4% most of the time. Satisfactory is 94% ADA.

Mrs. Jamie Bunche is still collecting Box Tops for Education. Please be sure to save them!

You may obtain information about the Emergency Weather Plan(s) by accessing the school system's web page at www.pgcps.org.

As of January 4, 1998, there have been 69 days of peace!

On Saturday, Jan 23, 1999 we will be holding the third annual Comer Day for parents and their children. This retreat has been an outstanding success in the past and we know it will be so again this year.

During the course of the day there will be a keynote speaker and then various workshops for parents. The children will also have activities and events to attend so that babysitting will not be an issue. There will even be one workshop that both parents and children can attend.

Our day will begin with registration at 8:30 and the keynote speech beginning at 9:00. There will be two workshops held following the keynote speech, lunch will be provided free of charge, and then an additional workshop will be held in the afternoon. Our day will end by 3:00.

This week, each child will be bringing home information regarding the workshops as well as workshop registration forms for both children and parents. Please look for these, check your calendars and try to join us. We know that you will find the day informative and exciting. Parents have told us this day provides a wonderful opportunity to get to know other parents and to ointeract with staff members on a less formal basis than usual.

Read more about the Comer Day.

In the last issue of the PL HUG we began a series of articles about the beginnings of what is now known as Clinton Grove Elementary School. Much of this information has been gleaned from a book titled Records and Recollections: Early Black History in Prince George's County, Maryland written by Bianca P. Floyd and published by the Park and Planning Commission. This book can be obtained at the Surratt House in Clinton.

Martha Smith was the first teacher at the old Robeystown School. She was directed by Rev. Kimball to organize a school association among the Freedmen and have them select five ment to serve as trustees. It was his intent, if this meeting was successful, to pay for both the school and to deed it to the Freedmen. Rev. Kimball also praised Martha Smith, stating that the Freedmen's Bureau could not have found a better 'colored' teacher. Apprently this meeting was the best that had been held since the shool house was built.

Miss Smith continued her efforts to work with Mr. Robey and the trustees while also running the school. On Feb. 8, 1869, John Butler, a Freedmen's Bureau representative, visited the school and reports afterwards to Rev. Kimball that this was the "poorest concern I have come up with in all my travels." It was his feeling that Miss Smith was exerting all of her powers to make the school into a success despite Mr. Robey's interfrence. The community agreed with Mr. Butler's evaluation and stated that its desire to "determine and direct their own affairs were thwarted by the control Robey exerted over the school."

Ultimately, Mr. Robey sent Rev. Kimball the deed and two bills for school construction. These were sent to Martha Smith to be given to the trustees. Mr. Robey insisted that the school yard be fenced in.

(to be continued in future editions)

The current calendar may be viewed here.

Banking hours are from 8:00 until the last person is served every Friday morning.

Applications are accepted any time. Mrs. Behenna can answer any questions you may have regarding this exciting program. Please call her at (301) 599-2414.