CMS Weekly eNews Express
Monday, May 6, 2019 (Week #37)
Teacher Appreciation Week...
Staff:
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week! I know in our business we don’t always get the accolades for all we do. Please know that both Peter and I appreciate everything you do on a daily basis. We also know that we are only as good as our teachers. With that being said, it’s evident that we have the best around. Please enjoy this week as you all deserving of this acknowledgement. Our PTO is doing the following for our staff:
Monday – a little gift in your mailbox
Tuesday – breakfast in the teacher’s café
Friday – lunch donated by Chili’s in the teachers’ café
*** Each day we will pull three names for a PTO raffle with multiple gift opportunities – Good luck!***
It was crazy busy here at school this weekend with two productions of Mary Poppins Jr. The kids were amazing and once again did a wonderful job. Many, many thanks go out to all of the people behind the scenes. The show wouldn’t go on without the help and support of teachers, parents and kids; it was a total team effort.
We are now entering into our final phase of the MCAS testing. Grades 6 & 7 will be taking their Math MCAS sessions this week followed by grades 5 & 8 next week. Let’s stay the course and keep focused on all the little things we can control. All Chromebook carts will be moved to the grade 6 rooms by the end of 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, May 6th
- Learning Academy – Grades 5&6 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
- Team Leader Meeting 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Conference Room A)
Tuesday, May 7th
- MCAS Grade 6 Math Session #1
- Learning Academy – Grades 7&8 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
Wednesday, May 8th
- MCAS Grade 6 Math Session #2
- Learning Academy – Grades 5&6 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
- Intramurals 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. (Gym)
Thursday, May 9th
- MCAS Grade 7 Math Session #1
- Learning Academy – Grades 7&8 - 2:30-3:30 p.m. (Library)
Friday, May 10th
- MCAS Grade 7 Math Session #2
- Student Banking – Country Bank 7:30 a.m.
Special Happenings:
Information Pertaining To 4th Quarter Mid-Term Progress Reports
Grades will be open to upload on Thursday, May 9th
Grades must be updated by, Thursday, May 16th
Parent Portal will be opened on Friday, May 17th at 10:00 a.m.
John Paire Fund
If you have any students who are in need of funding for educational opportunities, you can reach out to the John Paire Fund. I have attached the form for funding below. Please let me know if you have any questions?
Curriculum News Letter – Karen Ares
Please check out the Curriculum Newsletter from Mrs. Ares below. There is lots of good information contained within.
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 3rd 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 3rd as well.
MCAS Testing Begins – Testing for Math in grades 6 & 7 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 will forward a total math 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:
Math: May 16th & May 17th
Grade 7:
Math: May 9th & May 10th
Grade 6:
Math: May 7th & May 8th
Grade 5:
Math: May 14th & May 15th
***Math Make-Up Sessions: May 20th – May 24th
***Science, Technology & Engineering Make-Up Sessions: May 20th – May 24th