CMS Weekly eNews Update
Sunday, April 21, 2019 (Week #35)
Let's Finish Up April In Strong Fashion...
Staff:
Welcome back! The return from April vacation signals the homestretch for the rest of the year; I can’t believe it’s that time of year already. Anyway, I hope you all had time to rest up and get rejuvenated as we take on the final push of the school year. There’s a lot of information below, so please take time to review it all.
I hope you enjoy Easter, or Passover, with family and friends (I wanted to get this out tonight ahead of tomorrow as we will all be pretty busy enjoying the day - :)
As always, please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Have a wonderful week with your students…
Dean W. Packard
Principal
Weekly Calendar:
Monday, April 22nd
- MCAS English Language Arts Make-Up Testing Window
- Learning Academy – Grades 5&6 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
- Rehearsal Musical 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- District Health & Wellness Fair at DMS 5:00-8:00 p.m.
- ScreenAgers viewing at DMS 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 23rd
- MCAS English Language Arts Make-Up Testing Window
- Learning Academy – Grades 7&8 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
- Bus Evacuation Drill 2:00 p.m.
- Rehearsal Musical 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 24th
- MCAS English Language Arts Make-Up Testing Window
- PBL Question & Answer Session With Karen Ares – all day in Conference Room B.
- Learning Academy – Grades 5&6 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
- Intramurals 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. (Gym)
- Rehearsal Musical 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- School Committee Meeting 7:00 p.m. (Library)
Thursday, April 25th
- MCAS English Language Arts Make-Up Testing Window
- Learning Academy – Grades 7&8 - 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
- Rehearsal Musical 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday, April 26th
- MCAS English Language Arts Make-Up Testing Window
- Student Banking – Country Bank 7:30 a.m.
- Rehearsal Musical 2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Special Happenings:
NELMS Scholar Leader Vote
Please be sure to vote for your selection on our school-wide ballot for our NELMS Scholar Leaders. Our winners will be announced on Tuesday, April 30th. See my e-mail from April 11th for the shared voting doc - Thanks!
District Wellness Fair @ Dudley Middle School – Monday, 5:00-8:00 p.m. at DMS
Please consider joining us at DMS for this year’s Health & Wellness Fair. There will be lots of great opportunities to see some amazing things that could be beneficial to us all. Hopefully you can stop by and take a look.
Bus Evacuation Drill – Tuesday, April 23 at 2:00 p.m.
As always, please be sure to assist in this process as we have to complete this drill by law. Two individuals in the back and two in the front for adequate coverage. All students must participate during this drill, even if they have after school activities.
Walk-Through Evaluations – Summative Evaluations – Formative Evaluations Calendar
Over the next two weeks, we will be finishing up with our walk-through evaluations for the year. Please be sure to read and sign all of your evaluations in a timely manner. Also, be sure to upload any evidence into your TeachPoint account or you can keep it in your binder.
If you are a Non-PTS or on the Summative Year of your two-year cycle, please be sure to have the self-reflective Artifact Sheet (see my e-mail from April 11th) form returned to me by Friday, May 4th or sooner if possible? All final evaluations for Non-PTS and Summative staff will be completed by Wednesday, May 15th.
If you are on a Formative Cycle, or first year of a two-year cycle, please turn in your sheet by Friday, May 4th as well.
Project-Based Learning Question & Answer Session with Mrs. Ares – Wednesday at CMS in Conference Room A
Mrs. Ares will make herself available for any questions you may have pertaining to PBL. She will be stationed in Conference Room B and you can access her during your Team or prep time if you specific questions? I appreciate Mrs. Ares spending the day with us to answer any of your potential questions.
MCAS Testing Begins – Make-up Testing for ELA all week:
As we begin the testing process, please remember to follow the training from our faculty meeting as well as the PowerPoint slides provided to you. I have included a total ELA testing plan, which includes teachers, rooms, times and students. Here are a few items to remember to meet testing security standards:
1. Make sure your room doesn’t have items on the wall pertaining to material being tested;
2. Make sure you guard the secure materials given to you the morning of the testing process;
3. Make sure your room is strategically set up so students do authentic work – see PP for examples of seating designs;
4. Read the directions specifically contained within the TAM;
5. Begin the testing on-time at 8:30 a.m. sharp;
6. Let us know if you have any questions or concerns immediately;
7. Be sure to stay calm and set a testing tone that is welcoming and supportive;
8. If you notice a student struggling to maintain himself or herself within the testing environment, please call for Mr. Packard. I can use an alternate setting for testing if needed;
9. Actively proctor the students so you can stay apprised of their overall needs; and,
10. Make sure you remind students to use all of the resources provided, including scrap paper to answer all of the questions.
All Unified Arts, Reading, Foreign Language, ACES, Librarian or any other teachers not teaching due to the testing, please be sure to report to the testing hallway as support for the testing process. Also, please be sure to read your TAM just in case you have to step in to help – Thanks!
You All Will Be Great… Your Preparation Has Been Amazing!
2019 MCAS Testing Calendar
Grade 8:
Science, Technology & Engineering: April 30th & May 1st
Math: May 16th & May 17th
Grade 7:
Math: May 9th & May 10th
Grade 6:
Math: May 7th & May 8th
Grade 5:
Science, Technology & Engineering: May 2nd & May 3rd
Math: May 14th & May 15th
***English Language Arts Make-Up Sessions: April 22nd – April 29th
***Math Make-Up Sessions: May 20th – May 24th
***Science, Technology & Engineering Make-Up Sessions: May 20th – May 24th