Now that March is here, we hope that the weather gets warmer, and students will have more opportunities to play outside!  As I walk around the school, I am very impressed with the students and how hard everyone has been working.  Winter testing indicates gains in many areas.  Individual reports on these assessments went home last month.  If any family needs more information on these reports, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher.

     Towards the end of March, students in grades 3, 4 and 5 will participate in the first round of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS).  These tests will be in the area of English Language Arts.  These assessments will be broken up into sessions that should last approximately 45 – 60 minutes, although it should be noted that these are not timed tests.  Most students will take one session per day.  It is extremely important for your children to be in school, on time on the dates of testing.  Children should get a good night’s sleep the evening before.  Testing will start on Tuesday, March 25 and continue through Thursday, March 27.  If you have any questions about the MCAS, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

     As thoughts turn to spring, we will again be working on the perennial flowerbeds in front of the school.  We will be looking for volunteers who may want to help with weeding, or people who want to donate plants or bark mulch!  We could really use more bark mulch.  If you are interested in helping with this project, please let me know!

Have a wonderful month.