Track and field practice begins this Wednesday, March 22 after school. Practice will run every day from 3:00-4:30. On the first day of practice, boys will meet in the small gym locker room and girls will meet in the big gym locker room.

Track is for all students, grades 6th-8th and the good news is that there is something for everyone! You can run races, join relays, do the long jump or the high jump, or you can throw the shot put or discus.

• In order to go to practice, you must have your physical and athletic paperwork on file with the front office. If you are not sure if you have these on file, please stop by the Front Office.
• To view the most up to date schedule, please visit our Athletics Schedule page.
• For any questions, please contact Coach Morrell or Coach Knox.

Also this week, come listen to the Choir perform for their Pre Contest Concert this Thursday, March 23 at 6:30PM.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Every spring, students across Colorado take the standardized tests known as CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success). These assessments are based on the Colorado Academic Standards and are the expectations of what students need to know and be able to do at the end of each grade. Computer-based assessments have replaced the traditional pencil and paper tests.

The state assessments will require students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills all students need for the careers of tomorrow, including the ability to:

• apply math to real-world situations
• critically analyze literature and informational texts
• demonstrate problem-solving techniques

Teachers and families will receive detailed reports, helping them better understand each child’s mastery of the standards. We will use these assessments as a tool in helping to ensure your child is successful in these critical subjects.

This year we have the ability to take the tests for all grade levels at the same time, which will allow us to make the assessment times significantly shorter and students will now only take the tests for three days in the morning. Watson Junior High School will be administering the tests for only 3 days on the mornings of March 21st through March 23rd, although dates and times might be subject to change in the event of circumstances out of our control (weather delays, technology malfunctions, etc.). Students will test during their 5th period classes (6-8th Grade Language Arts, 6-8th grade Math, and 8th grade Science) and, with the exception of make-ups, will not take more than two tests per day. Students in 8th Grade will take the science test in the mornings of April 11th through April 13th.

There are a few things that you can do to help us through this testing process:

• Ensure that your child has good attendance, especially on testing days. Make ups require even more disruptions to a child’s normal school day.
• Provide a good night’s rest and breakfast, especially during the testing window.
• Be sure they come to school with their computers fully charged and their chargers.

If you would like to opt your child out, you may provide a written note at the front office, or you may email a letter to Watson’s School Assessment Coordinator: Andrew Sturgeon (sturgeona@wsd3.org). All opt out letters must include parent name, student name, and grade level of student.

Mr. Ross Mishler
Principal