Happy New Year and Welcome Back!

Happy New Year HBB!  We have enjoyed our first week back and we are looking forward to a great 2017!  As we get ready for the New Year we thought it might make sense to update everyone about MCAS 2.0.  Last year we administered PARCC and this year the test is changing for us again.  This year we will be giving MCAS 2.0 which is similar to PARCC in terms of the types of questions our kids will be asked, but different because we will giving the test online instead of paper/pencil. 

We added Computers as a special this year in anticipation of this change and we are working hard to prepare our kids with all the skills required to meet with success on the test.  As with every standardized test we would like to remind parents that this is our opportunity to show everyone how hard we have been working.  We do not use the test to judge or grade students.  We use the results to reflect on what we are doing well as a school and what we need to improve upon.  Because of this we would like to ask for your assistance as we approach MCAS 2.0. 

First, please encourage your child to try their hardest, but make sure they know that the test is not something to stress out about.  We want them to try hard because they want to join us in showing everyone how great a school HBB is, not because they have anything to fear.

Secondly, please pay close attention to the testing dates and do your best to ensure that your child is present on testing days.  Below are the testing dates and they are also posted on our school calendar.

ELA

Grade 3 – April 3, 6, 11

Grade 4 – April 4, 7, 12

Grade 5 – April 5, 10, 13

Math

Grade 3 – May 4, 11

Grade 4 – May 3, 10

Grade 5 – May 2,9

Science

Grade 5 Only – May 16, 18