"Just" for CMS
Week of 3/28
Reminder About Testing
Tuesday, 3/29 – STAAR Testing for 7th grade Writing and 8th grade Math
- All 6th graders can report at noon***
- 8th graders that take Algebra either 4th or 5th period can report at noon***
- All 7th graders and remaining 8th graders report at regular time. There will be no morning athletics.
Wednesday, 3/30 – STAAR Testing for 8th grade English/Language Arts
- All 6th graders can report at noon***
- All 7th graders can report at noon***
- All 8th graders report at regular time. There will be no morning athletics.
Thursday, 3/31 – Regular school day
Friday, 4/1 – Regular school day
We will obviously be on an adjusted schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday. Students that are testing SHOULD eat lunch around 12;30 or so, but that all depends on how the morning goes. Please know that the campus will be closed and you won't be able to eat with your student on Tuesday or Wednesday. You may bring food, but it will remain in the front office until testing is over.
***Students that have the option to arrive late, please read carefully.
*There WILL NOT be a late bus. If you need the bus to get to school, you will need to ride and arrive at regular time.
*Students that must arrive at regular time should report directly to the gym. If they are eating breakfast, they may eat first and then report to the gym.
*Students that must arrive at regular time need to bring a book or a device. They will sit quietly in the stands in the gym until testing is over.
*Students that can arrive late need to report directly to the gym. Please do not bring students to the front office any time after 8am. Ms. Condor will not buzz anyone in through the front door after 8am.
*Students that arrive late need to eat breakfast before arriving. They will not be allowed to enter the building until we do so as a group for lunch.
*Students that arrive before noon and need to eat lunch will be escorted to the café around 11am. They may bring their lunch or go through the cafeteria line. This will be an extremely quiet setting as we will still have students testing.
*There will be no eating in the gym. Students may have a bottle of water to keep with them.
Here are 10 ways to help our children be successful with STAAR testing
1. What they should expect. Talk to your kids about what to expect and how the STAAR test is not that different from regular tests and exams. When I pointed out to my daughter that she was already doing well in Language Arts and making good grades on her writing projects, she relaxed. Sometimes just reminding them that they already have the skills and a record of success can build their confidence.
2. Sample tests. If they are feeling stressed, you can see example of the types of questions and problems kids can expect at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/. When I reviewed one of the 4th grade reading tests, I knew my daughter would be fine. It’s very similar to the type of work she has been doing in class already. Let them take a sample test and see how well they do. Talk through some of the problems that may be challenging them.
3. Get plenty of sleep. A tired child cannot stay focused for hours on end.
4. Eat a healthy breakfast. Minimize sugar and carbohydrates and make sure your child has some protein to help keep their energy stable for a longer period of time. In many cases, schools are providing hot breakfast for kids this week. Check with your local school. Sometimes getting to school early to have breakfast with friends can help relax your child and take their mind off the test.
5. Make sure they get plenty of exercise and free play time after school. The test is stressful and the kids’ normal routine at school is different this week. Their minds need a mental break and after sitting all day, your younger ones will have excess energy to burn off. Physical activity is also great for helping kids to relax and sleep better!
6. Support and praise them. It may sound simple, but just tell them you are proud of them and know they will do a great job. Knowing you are rooting for them can help boost confidence.
7. Eat Healthy. Send a healthy lunch or talk to your kids about choosing a healthy lunch at the school cafeteria. Explain how healthy food supports their brains, kind of like Popeye and his spinach! My son’s middle school has required us to bring a sack lunch for the two days of testing. Kids will be eating in their testing rooms, so check your school’s regulations today.
8. Surprise them with a special note. Put a note in their lunch box to just say hi and you hope they are having a great day. Nothing fancy, just a sticky note saying “I love you” will lift tired spirit. Got older kids? Send them a quick lunchtime text showing your support. Don’t ask how it’s going, just say, “I am thinking about you, have a great day.” Whether they admit it in public or not, our kids need our love and support on a daily basis.
9. Go to the Dollar store and buy a couple of fun, colorful pencils. Even something this small brightens their day and gets them excited. As we near the end of the school year, pencils tend to be worn down and erasers nearly gone, make sure your kids are prepared.
10. Celebrate when the testing is complete and again when you get the scores. Acknowledge your child for their effort and their success. It might help to tell them that you will go out for ice cream or for a movie or a walk in the park at the end of the week. The key here is to keep their spirits up throughout the week!
Not sure about the McD's in Commerce, but if you go, leave plenty of time so you aren't late to schoo
Schedule for the Week
- School holiday. Enjoy your day off
Tuesday, 3/29
- STAAR Testing - 7th grade Writing and 8th grade Math
- 6th graders and 8th graders taking Algebra arrive as late as noon
Wednesday, 3/30
- STAAR Testing - 8th grade English/Language Arts
- 6th and 7th graders arrive as late as soon
- Track Meet - Departure time TBD. Food to office by 1pm.
Thursday, 3/31
- Spirit Day
- Nothing scheduled
Saturday, 4/2
- 10am - 6th grade Drama Club to Casa Manana in Ft. Worth