Miller students have been doing a great job coming to school everyday ready to learn and are engaging in classroom activities. Miller teachers often have learning tasks for students to start each class as they enter classrooms, known as ‘Do Nows’. These complex and rigorous tasks ask students to immediately apply learning from the prior day while leading into the learning of the day. Learning at Miller is shifting from a focus on acquiring content to a focus on using content to solve problems. This is important as it develops deeper content understanding as well as builds student characteristics from our Portrait of a Graduate.

Miller Angels are currently taking their fall benchmarks using STAR assessments. We have switched to STAR from iReady as the assessments are less time consuming and are aligned with Durango High School. When the assessments are complete we will use the information, along with prior assessments and classroom performance, to make instructional decisions for students, ranging from providing specific intervention for students needing support in reading and math to cluster grouping advanced math students at 6th grade.  Caregivers can expect to receive a copy of their student’s STAR results in October. Please remind your child to do their best so they ‘Show What You know’ on the assessments.

We look forward to seeing you all at Open House on Wednesday, September 14th at 5:30. We will start in the auditorium with an address from me, followed by a chance to follow your student’s  schedule to meet all your student’s teachers and hear about each class. Also be aware that the Miller PTO is meeting the 4th Wednesday of the month at 4:30 in the library. Our first meeting saw 18 folks attend and we would love to have more. It is a great opportunity to hear about what is going on at Miller and ask any questions you may have. 

It’s a Great Day to be an Angel!

Mr. Geygan