Message from Our Principal, Mr. John E. Fulmer

Dear Parents,

Throughout the school year, we assess our students with not only content knowledge, but also organizational skills, group work and note-taking ability. Teachers give students feedback that encourages deeper thinking, thus creating and maintaining relationships that lead to interactive and responsive instruction.

To bring the focus toward improved understanding, informal assessments are a critical part of the instructional process. These formative assessments focus on learning to understand and the application of knowledge. Gathering information on student understanding, analyzing that information, then using it to guide instruction is an effective teaching practice. The assessment process allows us to greatly understand the unique learning abilities of our students and tailor instruction to meet their needs.

Williamson also administers formal summative assessments that are benchmarks for students’ success. These assessments inform us as to how we can vary our instruction and/or provide additional services for our students.

The Middle School also assesses all students through i-Ready diagnostic assessments. These Reading and Math assessments are given to students three times per year, in September, January and May each year (students have shown growth after the winter diagnostic). This technology-based assessment allows us to identify specific academic strengths and concerns for each student.

This year, the NYS ELA assessments are still scheduled for April 19th and 20th for all Middle School students. The NYS Math assessment is scheduled to be administered for all Middle School students May 2nd and 3rd. These assessments will be computer based for grades 3-8 again this year.

We appreciate the family’s encouragement and support in preparing their children to do their best in all academic areas.

Most students do not look forward to quizzes, tests or exams, but assessment tools are part of how we accurately assess student understanding, better preparing them for the challenges ahead.

Thank you for your continued support. 

John E. Fulmer, Principal
Williamson Middle School Williamson Middle School