Test October 2025 Newsletter
Updates for families from Test Intermediate
Does it ever happen that when you start thinking about something, you start to notice it everywhere? You think about a certain color or kind of car, and now you see it everywhere? Or you start noticing a weird feeling in your foot, and now you feel it with every step you take? Psychology has a name for this: the Frequency Illusion. There's a system in our brains that seeks to confirm what we are thinking about. Our brains WANT us to be right, so the brain looks for evidence to prove that we are right.
This can have a powerful effect on us. If we think we are smart, our brains will try to confirm that by noticing our successes. If we think we are dumb, our brains will look for evidence of our mistakes. It's important to take time to focus on what is good-- that actually helps us notice more good. Acknowledging our progress-- it will help us find more progress and keep us motivated!
This matters a lot for schools! When students take time to reflect on how far they've come, it helps them go farther. When parents notice the good qualities in their kids, it helps the kids feel more confident in those good qualities. At Test, we have two kinds of referrals to the office: a disciplinary referral, for when student behavior isn't appropriate, AND a positive referral, for when student behavior is awesome! When we look for good behavior, we see more of it. When kids think of themselves in positive ways, they will do more positive things.
There are so many positive things going on at Test Intermediate! Take time to think about one or two, and then your brain will give you a few more after that. (Check out some of these positive office referral students if you need some help getting started.) If you want to help make more positive things happen, please see information about PTO help below.
Ms. Brazil
Students should wear their lanyards and student IDs each day. These are essential for school safety, breakfast and lunch, school library, and bus transportation. IDs will also help with the My Ride K-12 app! (If you don't have one - you're new or last year's got lost - please be patient with us while we get one to you.) We have replaced IDs for all kids that reported they were missing theirs. Everyone will get an updated ID with the school pictures from this year.
During October, Reading and English Language Arts classes will switch from their first 9 weeks theme to their second. 5th grade will be exploring wordplay through The Phantom Tollbooth, while 6th grade will dive into monomyths with Ramayana and The Odyssey. Check out the Tip Sheets for families to see more about what your student is learning, questions to ask at home, and extra book titles to explore.
Students build knowledge about the theme while practicing writing and reading skills. Students WILL have homework some days! Teachers work hard to send home assignments that students have the skills to complete independently (they save the most challenging work for during the school day). Please help your child build their capacity to be responsible and organized by asking about their homework. Study habits they develop now will help them as they progress throughout school.
Please let us know!
Being present at school is super important for kids! But sometimes they have to miss. When that happens, please make sure you report your child's absence to the school office (765-973-3412) OR by responding to a ParentSquare message that your student was marked absent.
Mr. Stolle tracks our attendance and will communicate with families about student absences. Please help him out and report your child's absence! His email is jstolle@rcs.k12.in.us.
6th Grade to Field Trip at Camp Campbell Gard
Game night
The Jungle Room (Test Family Liaison Ms. Toni Johnson)
Ms. Toni Johnson, our RCS Family Liaison, wants to make sure every child has what they need to succeed in school! She is available every day from 7:40-3:10. She is another caring adult, and her "Jungle Room" is a safe space for kids to get things they need or take a break. Ms. Johnson can help with:
- school supplies
- academic tutoring
- clothing
- hygiene items
- food
- referrals to social service agencies for assistance with bill payment
Centerstone & Meridian
Some students are already connected to counselors through Centerstone and Meridian. We have Centerstone services in the school building every day for existing Centerstone clients, and Meridian counselors frequently stop by to check on their caseloads. If you believe your student needs mental health support, we are happy to help with a referral to one of these agencies. Please contact Ms. DeDe Wright, our Test School Counselor, who can assist with this. Email pwrightdeloney@rcs.k12.in.us or call 765-973-3412.
Most of the money that funds Richmond Community Schools comes from the Indiana State Government. Local property taxes also contribute. Any money we get from the Federal Government comes through grants that supports specific goals. For example, federal money supports breakfast and lunch programs, so kids have access to food. Other programs specifically support technology (Title IV), special education (IDEA), and career education (Perkins). Title I is federal program that provides money to support academic success for students from low-income households.
Test Intermediate, like many RCS schools, receives Title I money. (Like lots of government programs, there are a lot of requirements we have to meet.) One Title I requirement is to make sure we are reaching out to parents and helping families be involved in their student's education. We would do this anyway, because it is such a good thing for kids when their adults and interested and involved in their school!
ParentSquare
PowerSchool
You can download the app from the Apple store here
Or from the Google store here
Canvas
You can download the app from the Apple store here
Or from the Google store here
My Ride K-12
You're in the loop with direct communication channels and instant notifications. Receive updates on delays, route changes, and arrival times in real-time. Our easy-to-use platform ensures you're never left guessing. Bridge the gap between home and school effortlessly.
You can download the app from the Apple store here
Or from the Google store here
Mission Statement
“Test Intermediate School provides a caring, challenging environment where dedicated educators strive to prepare students academically, physically, socially, and emotionally to be productive members of society.”