Cubs Newsletter

Here we go!!

ISATs start this week at MMS. Eighth grade students will be taking the Science ISAT during their science classes starting on Tuesday. They will finish up on Wednesday and Thursday.

All students will be taking the ELA and Math ISAT tests starting May 4th.

These are online tests - so students must have their Chromebooks with them at school. It is super important that students bring a fully charged Chromebook AND their charger with them to school for the next few weeks. We don't have a surplus of devices that we can let kids borrow and every student in the school will be taking ISATs at the same time - they all need their own device.

At MMS, students are assigned to ISAT proctor groups. They will take their ELA and Math tests with that ISAT group. We take ISATs in the morning on May 4th and 5th, and then have a break. We take the next two tests on May 11th and 12th. The bell schedule is wonky those weeks. Kids will have ISAT testing time twice, and their regular classes 3 times on those weeks. Please see the Daily Schedule document attached below to see what that looks like. Later this week, students will get a handout that tells them who their ISAT proctor teacher will be, and where to go for ISATs. They will also get a list of ISAT "do's and dont's" and a copy of the weird ISAT bell schedule. On the mornings of ISATs, students will first go to their home rooms for attendance and announcements. Then, all students will go to their different ISAT classrooms and start taking the tests. They stay in that classroom, with that teacher and group until the test session is over. At lunch time, the day returns to normal, well....mostly normal. Students have lunch and 4th period, and then regular classes for the rest of the day.

Some things for parents to know about ISATS:

• The ISAT is a state mandated test. Every students attending a public school in Idaho is required to take the test - that isn't our rule, that is a state mandate. If your student is absent on ISAT testing days, they will need to take the test during a different time before May 22nd. We will get that done when we can by pulling students from class and having them take the test with our building ISAT test coordinator, Ms. Whitney.
• There are very strict state rules that students must follow during ISATS. Students may not have much of anything with them during testing - just a pencil, a water bottle, a book, and of course, their Chromebook. (The Chromebooks are locked into the test during ISAT's and students will not be able to access any other website other than the test browser).
• Teachers have strict rules they have to follow too. They cannot help students with the test. In fact, they cannot say much more than what they are directed to say from a script the state provides.
• Testing accommodations are only allowed in specific circumstances. If your student has ISAT testing accommodations, that is something you know about. We have set up the tests and testing groups to meet all of those accommodation requirements for students. We work really hard to do that in a way that maintains student privacy and dignity. Often, students don't even realize they are in a "special" group.
• When a student finishes the ISAT test they will be instructed to close their Chromebook and silently read a book until the ISAT testing session is over. They cannot get out other school work, they cannot play games, they cannot chat with friends...the ISAT testing time and space is protected. Students are encouraged to take their time, try their best, and double check their answers.
• We provide an ISAT approved snack to students during the test. We offer a cheese stick and crackers. Students don't have to take the snack, but most do, especially the crackers. (They like those the best). If your student has special food requirements, please let our office know right away. Parents are allowed to provide safe snacks for their student ahead of time, as long as those snacks meet ISAT requirements. (It can't be anything that would distract others with strong odors, sounds, or wrappers. It can't be something like Taki's or chocolate cake or a half liter of Dr. Pepper. It can't be anything that would make a mess, and it must be a snack....not a meal).
• We try really hard to provide a balanced approach and message to students about ISATs. These tests are important and we use ISAT scores to make decisions regarding what classes and interventions students will need moving forward. Students need to try their best. The score they earn matters. However, we know that our students are so much more than a test score! We don't want to put too much pressure on them and stress them out completely. We know that tests like these are really hard. We also know that students will need to know how to take these kinds of tests later in their lives - we have to take tests to get a driver's licence, get into college, and earn certifications required to become a plumber, nurse, police officer, electrician, pilot, lawyer, nail tech, doctor, etc. Knowing how to take these kinds of tests...even though they are no fun...and how to manage the anxiety that comes along with it...is an important skill.

Your student will need a good healthy breakfast on ISAT mornings and maybe an extra hug or two. They will be especially tired at the end of day, and maybe a little bit grumpy. I'm sorry about that!! If it helps...everyone here at MMS takes on additional jobs during ISATs, and we go home extra tired and grumpy too. We appreciate your support so much!

Hello MMS 8th-grade students, parents, and guardians!

The MMS Parent Support Team is excited to once again sponsor a trip to Silverwood Theme Park trip for all 8th grade students!

• The trip is on Thursday, June 4. See the attachment for more info
• Please print and complete the permission slip and payment form (pdf attached to this email) and return to Ms. Speelmon in the MMS office by Friday, May 22
• Parents, please consider volunteering to chaperone the trip. It's a super fun day with a bunch of awesome kids!

If the $50 cost of the trip isn't feasible for your family, just return the permission slip. The PST wants to make this trip possible for every student interested -- please consider making a donation to help offset this cost! Any extra funds raised will go to the PST general fund to support MMS teachers and PST events.

Parents, guardians, and students -- please read the expectations for this trip carefully to make sure this trip is a good fit for you!

Again, this form is due back to Ms. Speelmon in the office by FRIDAY, MAY 22. If you don't have access to a printer you can also pick up a copy of the form in the office.

Thank you and GO CUBS!

MMS Parent Support Team (PST)

Contact Jen Hohenlohe with any questions (jhohenlohe@gmail.com)

We are excited about annual Bike and Roll to School day! This year it takes place on Wednesday May 6th. Students are encouraged to wear their helmet and either ride a bike or roll on a scooter to school!

The first week of our after-school Homework Club was a success. We had one or two more parents sign up every day! Word is getting out!

Note - parents will need to fill out the form every week. We are doing this for a variety of reasons, some of which have to do with the grant that is funding this project, but also because we want to make sure that parents know about their student's after school plans. We need to know that you know that your child will be staying after school. We know how busy kids are and some might come to HW Club for part of a week, but not every day, or they might need help for one week, but then not need it anymore! There are a lot of adults involved that need to be sure we know where the kids are! 😊We also want to make sure that kids are discussing their progress, and how school is going, with their parents at least once a week. Filling the form out together is a great way for parents and students to check-in with each other, and with us.

What: MMS after school "Homework Club"

When: Monday - Thursday at MMS in Ms. Bird's room #101

What time: Homework Club ends a bit before 4:30 PM

What about transportation? Students can walk, get picked up, OR ride the bus

Who: Ms. Bird is our Homework Club Leader. MHS senior, Taylor McLuen will be her assistant

How: Students must be referred by a parent and/or teacher and be officially signed up to attend Homework Club each week using this form:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXxTCODN9AlU0VGilsS8jIP0-L4DfVC6YnWr2HwYCNlne48A/viewform?usp=header

If you know anyone in 5th, 6th, or 7th grade living in our school district that does not attend an MSD school - Lena Whitmore, McDonald, West Park, or Moscow Middle School (go Cubs!) and might be interested in enrolling at MMS for next year, please let them know about our "Join the Cubs" night this coming Tuesday. Thanks!

We are actively recruiting to grow the sport of wrestling. Join us for our girls-only open mats on Monday nights from 4:30–6:00 PM! These sessions are for all 8-12th grade girls who are curious about and/or interested in the sport of wrestling. Come join us in the Mat Room at MMS and learn more about our program! Go Bears!

There are a couple of Vandal Football opportunities coming up. Go Vandals!

Next Week:

Tuesday - Science ISATs for 8th graders during science classes.

Tuesday - Transfer to MMS from Charter, Private & Homeschool Enrollment Night 6:00 in MPR

Wednesday – Science ISAT’s for 8th graders continue during science classes.

Wednesday – Outdoor Recreation class at the UI Experimental Forest

Thursday – Home Track Meet after school. Cubs vs Jenifer Middle School.

Friday – 8th graders at the UI Engineering Expo in the morning.

Friday – Home Swim Meet. UI Swim Center 5:00 PM

On the Calendar

5/4 – ISATs Day one

5/5 – ISATs Day two

5/5 – Orchestra Spring Concert 7:00 PM

5/6 – Bike or Roll to School Day – Safe Routes to School

5/6 - Outdoor Rec field trip to UI Experimental Forest

5/7 – Living Voices Performance during 7th period in MPR

5/7 – Band/Choir Spring Concert – MHS Auditorium 7:00 PM

5/8 – Common Read Community Discussion Tables in MPR 7:45 AM

5/8 – Swim away at Sandpoint – busses will leave mid-day

5/11 – ISATS day 3

5/12 – ISATS day 4

5/14 – MHS Robotics club demo during lunches in the gym

5/15 – Clean it up Day! Cub PRIDE Activity

5/15 – Bingo Night for Uganda 5:00- 6:30 MPR

5/18 – No School for Kids – MMS Data Day and Workday for certified staff

5/19 – Band students tour Elementary Schools in the morning

5/21 – EXPO

5/25 – Memorial Day – no school

5/26 – Bike Ride Day in 6th grade PE classes

5/26 – ANOTHER Q-Doba fundraiser

5/28 – Fire Drill during HR

5/28 – Drama Class Performance

6/3 – Last day of school for kids 1:30 release time