Dear Concord Elementary School Parents,

Cass District 63 and Concord Elementary School are committed to your student’s academic growth and success, as well as their social, emotional, and behavioral growth. We want all students to develop the tools to manage their emotions, develop positive relationships, and demonstrate decision-making and responsible behaviors to accomplish success in both their academic career and in life.

As part of our work with our multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) and to support the development of these skills, teachers will use the BASC-3 BESS screener to assess the emotional and behavioral strengths and weaknesses of children in grades K-4. 3rd and 4th grade students will also complete the questionnaire for themselves. This computer-based, universal screening tool will take just 3 to 7 minutes and will be administered three times per year in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. This is an assessment tool that is commonly used in schools for this purpose, but we want you to be aware of this as well.

BASC-3 BESS is produced by Pearson, and the district has used similar academic progress monitoring and benchmarking in the areas of reading and math for several years. Like other assessments, information gathered from the BESS assessment directly informs our Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) for reading, math, and social-emotional learning. This tool assesses both the absence of problem behaviors and symptomatology as well as the presence of well-being and competencies. The data is securely gathered and specific to each student, with results containing a scaled score.

The purpose is to be proactive and work with parents and students to address any concerns as we prepare your children for junior high school, high school, and life beyond their education here at school. If you do not wish for your child to participate, please email Concord Principal Katie Doyle at cdoyle@cassd63.org no later than October 9. If you are fine with your child participating, there is nothing you need to do.

Please let us know if you have questions and we will continue to keep you informed. Thank you!

Katie Doyle, Principal
Concord Elementary School

Sara Zimmerman, School Psychologist
Cass School District 63