2018 MCAS Schedule

Note from our administrators:

MCAS Update

This year, per DESE, all students in grades 4, 5, 6 will take computer based tests.  We have opted to allow our third graders to continue on paper for one last year, but the state is mandating all computer based administration by 2019.

MCAS dates for 2018 are: 

Grade 3 & 5 - ELA April  3, 5, 6  and Math May 8,10,11

Grade 4 & 6 - ELA April 30, May 1 & 2 and Math May 15, 16,17 

Grade 5 also takes Science  on May 22 & 23.

Please be sure your students are rested and on time on testing dates so that the sessions can go as smoothly as possible.  Thanks so much.

Longer Days, MCAS, and Sleep Struggles

The month of May means longer days and more MCAS testing. Principal Chamberlain shared an important reminder about sleep in her recent April newsletter: 

"A reminder about the importance of sleep. With longer daylight hours, spring activities, and as a parent, the difficulty of getting kids to sleep is understood. I am including these sleep guidelines as a reminder to keep a solid schedule for sleep (and consistent bed time/wake time) as much as possible."

Testing schedule:
May 9 and 11: Grades 3 and 5 MATH
May 16 and 17: Grades 4* and 6 MATH
May 23 and 24: Grade 5 SCIENCE

*Grade 4 will be taking computer based tests per the MA Department of Education requirement

MCAS Information for Families

excerpted from Fort River Administration letter dated March 29, 2017; for entire letter click here

Dear Families,

Beginning in early April, our 3rd through 6th graders will be taking the state MCAS assessments in English Language Arts (ELA), Mathematics and Science/Technology.  In this letter you will find information on testing dates, new “accessibility features” of the MCAS and Computer Based Testing (CBT) in 4th grade.  
At Fort River, our testing dates will be as follows:

• 3rd & 5th Grades
  • ELA - April 4, 5, 6
  • Math - May 9 & 11
  • Science -  May 23 & 24  (only 5th grade)
• 4th & 6th  Grades
  • ELA - April 10, 11, 12  (6th grade will not test the 12th - only two sessions)
  • Math - May 16, 17

The best way you can help your children prepare for these assessments is to help them get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast.  It is also important for your child to be on time the mornings of his/her tests.  If they are ill on the days of their tests, we will provide make up sessions when they return.  

(for more details click here)

Thank you for your ongoing support,

Diane & Kris

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

29 de marzo de 2017

Queridas familias,

A partir de principios de abril, nuestros alumnos de 3º a 6º grado tomarán las evaluaciones MCAS estatales en Artes del Lenguaje Inglés (ELA), Matemáticas y Ciencia / Tecnología. En esta carta encontrará información sobre fechas de prueba, nuevas "características de accesibilidad" del MCAS y Pruebas Basadas en Computadora (CBT) en 4to grado.  

En Fort River, nuestras fechas de prueba serán las siguientes:

• 3er y 5to grado
  • ELA - Abril 4, 5, 6
  • Matemáticas - 9 y 11 de mayo
  • Ciencia - 23 y 24 de mayo (sólo 5to grado)
• 4to y 6to grado
  • ELA - 10, 11, 12 de abril (6 º grado no habrá prueba el 12 º - sólo dos sesiones)
  • Matemáticas - Mayo 16, 17

La mejor manera de ayudar a sus hijos a prepararse para estas evaluaciones es ayudarles a dormir bien y comer un desayuno saludable. También es importante que su hijo llegue a tiempo las mañanas de sus exámenes. Si están enfermos en los días de sus exámenes, proporcionaremos sesiones de maquillaje cuando regresen.  

(para mas detalles haga clic aqui) 

Gracias por su continua ayuda,
Diane y Kris

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ARMS PGO presents Keep Calm and Carry On: Helping Teens Manage Stress and Anxiety

On Thursday, March 30, the ARMS PGO is sponsoring a program with Mary Kate Oakley, M.A. from the Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences at UMASS about how to help kids manage stress and anxiety.

Topics will include how to tell the difference between normal stress and anxiety, how teens might respond to different situations, and concrete strategies that parents can use to help teens navigate these issues.

The program will take place at 7:00 p.m. in the ARMS library.  Please join us for this interesting and timely event – just in time to help your kids manage the stress of MCAS testing.

Coffee with the Principal on March 3 at 9 am

Please join your friends on Friday, March 3 at 9 am for coffee and informative conversation!

The Coffee will feature Assistant Principal Kris Griswold and the timely topic is Standardized Testing. What is the culture for testing at Fort River? How do teachers and students prepare? How can testing related stress be managed? What's up with computerized testing? Is it possible for standardized testing to be fun? (Believe it or not, at Fort River the answer is YES!) There will be ample time for questions.

PGO coffees with the Principal take place every month or so. The dates can be found on the PGO calendar which is on the right side of the blog home page. Some coffees may take place in the evening, depending upon community feedback. There will usually be a presentation for families and specifics will be available beforehand.

Your infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are always welcome at PGO Coffees! Families with future Amherst Elementary school children are also welcome and encouraged to attend. We are a welcoming community - join us! We hope to see you there!

Reminder: MCAS Testing Starts Next Week

The first round of MCAS tests will be starting next week for grades 3, 4 and 5. The schedule is posted on the Fort River website here: http://www.arps.org/fr/Fort_River_News_and_Newsletters.htm/Mcas%20Calendar.pdf.

Here are some tips for test-taking success:

TEST TAKING TIPS
For Parents and Guardians

• On time arrivals at school are essential to best student outcomes on testing days.  A late arriving student may be prohibited from taking the test on the scheduled day and have to take it on a scheduled makeup day.

• Be sure your child/ren observe routine and early bedtimes for at least
48 hours ahead of testing. Well rested children have more focused
energy to devote to the challenges associated with testing!

• Ensure a healthy breakfast on testing days. Protein (rather than sugar cereals) will keep your child’s energy and attending focused.

• Support an “I Can and I will” test taking attitude. Students who identify as capable learners and combine that with effective effort are poised to show what they know!

Ray Sharick's Newsletter Has Been Posted

Principal Ray Sharick has posted his latest newsletter here. You can read his earlier newsletters on the Fort River website here. You can view a revised April schedule for MCAS testing here. And finally, you can view PDFs of the following MCAS/No Child Left Behind reports:

Fort River NCLB (No Child Left Behind) Report Card 2008-09

Fort River AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) 2008-2009