Good afternoon, Blackhawks! This coming week marks the beginning of Spring testing for Michigan schools. Be sure to read below for details on testing dates for your students, along with additional details that were shared by elementary BLFH classroom teachers, Brandon Middle School staff, and Brandon High School staff. Remember, the state of Michigan requires that all students participate in person in these important assessments. These are important indicators of how students are performing and allow schools to assess progress and where they can better meet the needs of all students. Remember, elementary BLFH students will be testing on their test dates at the ITEC building, middle school students will be testing on their date at Brandon Middle School, and high school students will be testing at Brandon High School. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact the office at 248-627-1820. The school year tends to come to a rapid close after this testing period, so be sure you are also completing work in your online classes and participating in classroom discussions and activities. In addition to testing updates, in this week's newsletter, you will find the following:

• Continued recognition of students of the week
• Testing updates and details
• Secondary incentives
• 2022/2023 Summit Virtual Academy application information
• Important EDP reminders
• Senior newsletter link
• Upcoming calendar dates this week
• Regularly included resources

Remember, BLFH students are welcomed and encouraged to participate in and attend school clubs, sports, activities, and events, and the spring season is upon us. If you would like further information, please see the Brandon athletic calendar here or contact the office at 248-627-1820. Go Blackhawks!

- Mrs. Koslowski

Ms. Muscarella: Emerson Buhler - He shows kindness and respect to his teacher and classmates every day. Emerson is so hardworking and loves to share stories with this friends. Keep up the good work, Emerson!

Mrs. Finn: Ivan Cantu and Quinn Ly - Ivan has shown a love of learning by picking reading topics and reading as much as he can. Quinn has shown prudence by working on her assignments and helping her friends get their work done as well. Keep it up, you two!

Mrs. Locher: Owen Woodruff - Owen is always willing to share his thinking, participate in his groups, and always gives 100% effort. Keep up the hard work, Owen!

High School:

• Timothy Fox - Tim has been working overtime for the last few weeks to get all caught up in his classes. Tim has superlative attendance, he always makes an effort to say a few words during zoom, and he's great about asking for help when needed. Keep up the great work, Tim!

Click here to register for a workshop for parents and boys on ways to understand triggers for anger and how to respond constructively.

Please remember, that spring testing is required of all BLFH students, and all students MUST come into the building to test. Unfortunately, due to state requirements, we are unable to make exceptions to this and allow students to test from home like we were able to do in the fall for the NWEA assessment. Individual teachers will be sharing more information as well for elementary students. All elementary testing will take place at the ITec building. Here are some important pieces of information to be aware of:

• IMPORTANT: This year, the state of Michigan released a letter to schools and parents. In this letter, it states the following, "there is no acceptable way under state or federal law to allow an “opt-out” of state assessments." This means all students are required to test for MStep, PSAT, SAT, etc.
• At this time, the mask mandate has been lifted, which means that BLFH students do NOT need to wear a mask when coming in to test
• All elementary students will need to bring in their chromebooks when they come in for testing.
• Secondary students will need to bring in chromebooks when they come in for MStep testing, please also bring your charger

Grade 3, Mrs. Finn Mstep Testing:

• Thursday, April 14 at the ITec building, 9:30am - 12:00pm
• Thursday, April 21 at the ITec building, 9:30am - 12:00pm

Grade 4, Mrs. Locher Mstep Testing:

• Tuesday, April 12 at the ITec building, 9:30 - 3:30, two shifts of testing
• Tuesday, April 19 at the ITec building, 9:30 - 3:30, two shifts of testing

Grade 5, Mrs. Locher Mstep Testing:

• Wednesday, April 13 at the ITec building, 9:30 - 3:30, two shifts of testing
• Wednesday, April 20 at the ITec building, 9:30 - 3:30, two shifts of testing
• Tuesday, April 26 at the ITec building, 9:30 - 3:30, two shifts of testing
• Wednesday, April 27 at the ITec building, 9:30 - 3:30, two shifts of testing

6th Grade MStep, Math and ELA - Brandon Middle School, main entrance

• Wednesday, April 13, math
• Thursday, April 14, ELA
• Arrive between 7:15 - 7:30am
• Pick up at 11:00am or your student can stay for first lunch

7th Grade MStep, Math and ELA - Brandon Middle School, main entrance

• Wednesday, April 13, math
• Thursday, April 14, ELA
• Arrive between 7:15 - 7:30am
• Pick up at 11:00am or your student can stay for first lunch

8th Grade, MStep and PSAT - Brandon Middle School, main entrance

• Pre-Gridding Thursday, April 7 from 12:45 - 2:00 in the cafeteria
• Wednesday, April 13, PSAT
• Thursday, April 14, Science and Social Studies
• Arrive between 7:15 - 7:30am
• Pick up at 11:00am or your student can stay for first lunch

Grade 9, PSAT and NWEA - Brandon High School, main entrance

• Wednesday, April 13
• Arrive from 7:05 - 7:15am, signs will be posted for room assignment based on last name
• Pick up at 1:00pm, grab and go lunch available
• May 13, NWEA testing at ITec building, more details to come

Grade 10, PSAT and NWEA - Brandon High School, main entrance

• Thursday, April 14
• Arrive from 7:05 - 7:15am, signs will be posted for room assignment based on last name
• Pick up at 1:00pm, grab and go lunch available
• May 13, NWEA testing at ITec building, more details to come

Grade 11, SAT, Work Keys, NWEA - Brandon High School, main entrance

• Wednesday, April 13, SAT testing
• Thursday, April 14, Work Keys testing
• Tuesday, April 19, MStep 11 testing
• Arrive from 7:05 - 7:15am, signs will be posted for room assignment based on last name
• Pick up at 1:00pm, grab and go lunch available
• May 13, NWEA testing at ITec building, more details to come

Calculators: The calculators below are acceptable for use of PSAT and SAT. If you have one, you can bring it in for testing

• CFX-9800 series

  
  

  
  

  
  

  TI-Nspire CX II-T CAS: TI-Nspire CM-C CAS

  
  

  
  

  TI-84 Plus T: TI-84 Plus CE-T

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

  TI-Nspire CAS: TI-Nspire CX CAS

  
  

  
  

  TI-84 Plus CE Python: TI-84 Plus Silver

  
  

  
  

  
  

• CFX-9850 series

• CFX-9950 series

• CFX-9970 series

• FX 1.0 series, Algebra

• FX 2.0 series

• FX-CG-10

• FX-CG-20 series

Be sure you are working towards the three goals for student engagements. As a reminder,

1. Logging 600+ minutes per week in your online activity = entry into end of the year drawing for Brandon swag and tablet
2. Present to all zoom sessions for the week = entry into end of the year drawing for Brandon swag and tablet
3. On pace in all classes by the last Friday of the month, each month = local gift card mailed home

Applications are due today. Please allow time for applications to be reviewed. Families will be notified of their status on acceptance into Summit Virtual Academy for the 2022/2023 next month.

A reminder to all BLFH Seniors, that a completed EDP is part of your graduation requirements in the state of Michigan. Login to Xello to complete your EDP in the coming weeks. These are due by April 29. All students, not just seniors, should be working on their EDPs. When we return from Spring Break, those who have not yet completed the requirement may be contacted. Students who are not testing on April 13 and April 14 should use this time to complete work on their EDPs. If you have questions, please contact Christine Hogarth at chogarth@brandon.k12.mi.us.

• Week of April 11 - Mandatory State testing begins
• Thursday, April 14 - End of marking period one, elementary BLFH
• Friday, April 15 - No School = no zoom sessions

The Brandon Township Public Library is excited to announce that we have been chosen as 1 of 10 libraries in Oakland County to offer FREE tutoring through a program provided by Eton Academy in Birmingham, MI. Tutoring will take place here at the library every Monday & Thursday from 3:30-5:30pm, starting Thursday, February 24. Parents can register their students for 30 minute sessions by following the link or QR code provided on the flyer attached. Registration is first come first serve and available spots will be provided a month in advance. As of now, the program is funded by a 2 year grant, so tutoring will be provided year round at the library until February 2024.

Senior BLFH students, please click on this link to be taken to the Brandon High School Senior Newsletter created by Mr. Stevens.

https://www.smore.com/y6u9tm

Mrs. Popilek created and shared with you all a Google Classroom with important updates for BLFH high school students. Be sure to check it out using the link below.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D6GbhWJuCEaOGPQuZMv4Lc1pgQBsQTM5gmAbwKp1-GI/edit

If your student is in need of additional help and support, please reach out to either Mrs. Koslowski at mkoslowski@brandon.k12.mi.us or Mrs. Popilek at spopilek@brandon.k12.mi.us so that arrangements can be made if needed.