Good morning,

PARCC testing for ELA and Math begins on Thursday, April 28 at the middle school with 6th grade English and Language Arts testing. The complete PARCC schedule can be found on our website here.  Testing will start immediately after the first period bell, so it is imperative for all students to arrive to school on time. We must strictly adhere to the schedule set forth in the DESE guidelines; therefore your child’s attendance is crucial during the testing period. If at all possible, please avoid making appointments for your child on PARCC days as tardiness and early dismissals can have a negative impact on your child’s testing.  Again, we ask that all students be present and on time during the testing periods.

It is time to get CHARGED UP FOR PARCC!

Our students take PARCC tests online.  In order to be prepared, students must come to school with their Chromebook fully CHARGED. To help students get in the habit of nightly charging, we started a “charge up challenge” between homerooms. Each morning, the homeroom with the most “charged up” Chromebooks earns a lightning bolt for their door, and the homeroom with the most lightning bolts will be the winner! We cannot stress enough the importance of charging Chromebooks EVERY NIGHT.

HEADPHONES

For the ELA portion of the test, 6th,7th and 8th graders are required to use headphones. Please have your child bring a pair of headphones to school at least one day before his/her testing dates.  Headphones will be collected and stored by homeroom teachers, and distributed on PARCC days.

CALCULATORS

For the Math portion, PARCC has different calculator requirements for each grade level. The test has an on-line calculator for students to use, but any student who would prefer a physical calculator should bring the appropriate one, as indicated below:

• 6th and 7th grade – four function with square root and percentage only
  
• 8th grade – scientific calculator only

CELL PHONES

It is important to note the DESE rules on cell phones during PARCC. “Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed for any reason during testing, even after you turn in your materials. Results will be invalidated for students with cell phones.” For this reason, we ask that students leave their cell phones at home during testing.  Cell phones brought to school will be collected by proctors and returned after testing has finished for the day.

MAXIMIZE POTENTIAL

We appreciate your help! To maximize your child’s potential during testing, please be sure he/she gets a good night’s sleep, eats a complete and healthy breakfast, and arrives to school on time.  

Thank you for your continued support and please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.

Warm regards,
George

This week marked the beginning of our 2016 Chromebook Charge Up Challenge!