Gros Cap School Lead Teacher Monica Silet presented her 2008- 2009 annual education report Monday, September 21, reporting that students from grade three to eight scored a combined "A" on their State of Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) tests. The test, administered each year in October, evaluates the proficiency of each student in English language arts and mathematics. Grades five and eight are also tested on science, while grade six receives social studies examinations.

Students scored the strongest in science, with the Michigan Department of Education assigning a score of 100, the highest possible, to the school. Students achieved a combined score of 88.8 in mathematics, and 78.8 in English language arts.

Mrs. Silet attributes the high mathematics and science scores to the small student population. Classrooms are much smaller on average, she noted, enabling teachers to address the needs of each student. Each classroom has about 15 children.

"Kids don't get lost in the shuffle here," she said.

English was identified as an area for improvement during the Monday, August 17, meeting.

Three weeks into school, teachers have implemented multiple strategies to help students improve their understanding. Writing and reading comprehension are targeted, with separate goals for each grade level. Kindergarten focuses on ideas of writing, first and second grade will learn about writing organization, third and fourth will receive lessons on word choice, and fifth grade students will be taught about conventions. More informational reading texts will be added in every grade level to boost comprehension, along with remediation for students who need it.

The composite "A" score is the highest Gros Cap has achieved, with "Bs" obtained in 2004-2005 and 2006-2008. A "C" grade was assigned to the school in 2005- 2006.

Michigan's Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) for school raises the expected proficiency level of children in English language arts and mathematics every year. By the 2013-2014 testing year, students in every grade level are expected to achieve a 100% proficiency in those subjects. Gros Cap students have surpassed state expectations for the 2008-2009 year.

MEAP testing for 2009-2010 will begin Tuesday, October 13.

Mrs. Silet also reported Gros Cap School received a grant for eBooks access on the Sylvan Dell Web site. About 40 books are available on the website and supplement mathematics and science subjects. Many of the books available are fiction titles and will be used to help reinforce students' understanding of the subjects. The eBooks can be accessed from a student's laptop or on a smart board.

Superintendent William Peltier is seeking a grant for $4,160 to cover the costs of additional sound amplification equipment, and should know if he is successful by early December. A similar system was installed in the third grade classroom last year, aiding students to better hear the teacher. The teacher wears a lapel microphone and her voice is transmitted by infrared to several speakers in the classroom. The first system was purchased by the Upper Peninsula Lions Club, while a second one was obtained using special education stimulus funds.

The system is important, he said, as it aids children with hearing disorders. Many children with stuffy noses and ear infections can also benefit from the sound system. The goal is to have a system installed in each classroom of the school. Each one costs $1,044.