OMS MCAS ELA Reminders Grades 6-8

Students and families of grade 6, 7, and 8 students are reminded that Tuesday, May 5th and Wednesday, May 6th are the MCAS Math test dates. This test is for all grades at OMS.

As we approach the MCAS, We want to remind our students of how important it is for them to put their best effort forward. This is their chance to show everything they've learned and how much they've grown. Their skills, their thinking, and their hard work matter—and these will shine through when our students try their best.

MCAS isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing what you know. We encourage students to take their time, stay focused, and believe in themselves. We know they have the tools, the knowledge, and the determination to do great well.

We’re proud of our students academic accomplishments and work and all the effort they’ve put in so far and want them to finish strong!

In preparation for the MCAS Math exams on Tuesday, 5/5 and Wednesday 5/6, we ask that you assist us in preparing for your child’s testing by reviewing the following:

• Students take their MCAS on their chromebooks, therefore we ask the following:

• Garde 7 and 8: Charge your child’s OXPS issued Chromebook each night.

• Grade 7 and 8: Send your child to school with their OXPS Chromebook and charging cord.

• Grade 6 will use Classroom Chromebooks

• Students get a good night’s rest the evening before. We recommend bed by 9:00 with electronic devices stored for the evening so as not to disturb sleep patterns.

• Students have breakfast to fuel the brain and body to take the exam. Free school breakfasts are provided. Snacks are not permitted during MCAS tests, so a good breakfast is key!

• Provide your child with refillable water container (clear preferable) so students stay hydrated. Beverages other than water and food are not permitted.

• Reinforce with your child that cell phones and personal electronic devices are not permitted to be out during regular school days, and if out at all during MCAS testing time frame, must result in us notifying the state, per regulations, and may result in your child’s test being disqualified or nullified.

• Any student absent on a day of MCAS testing will be scheduled to sit the make-ups when they return to school.

• Students will report to advisory on the morning of their MCAS exams.

• Library will be closed during the school day on MCAS days to accommodate small group and extra time testing.

• Students are encouraged to bring something to do or read for when they are finished with their testing, as students are not permitted to access electronic devices, including school issued Chromebook after they have finished their individual exam during the testing time frame. Books, magazines to read, puzzle booklets word searches, coloring books are recommended to help pass time.

• Testing will take place during periods 1-4. Following testing, students will attend classes for periods 5,6,7.

• In addition to the above, while in testing, the following guidelines are expected:

• No communication with other students during testing time.
• No access beyond MCAS testing platform via internet and chromebook during testing time.
• No discussing test content with staff or students during testing breaks.
• No consulting of notes or references during testing.
• No looking at another student's exam or computer screen during testing time.
• No food or beverages other than water permitted.
• No discussing test content with other students
• No duplicating, photographing, or copying any portion of the tests that are on a computer screen (or in test & answer booklets)
• No access to personal electronic devices--NO accessing prohibited materials such as cell phones or other electronic devices (e.g., smartwatches, ear buds, any device capable of taking photographs).
• No communicating with other students (e.g., talking, whispering, writing notes)
• No looking at any other student’s computer screen (or test & answer booklets)
• No asking for or receiving help from anyone (except for reporting a concern about a test question to a test administrator)
• No providing help to another student

• ELA: Grades 6,7,8 on April 7th and 8th
• Math: Grade 6,7,8 on May 5th and 6th
• Science: Grade 8 on May 12th and 13th
• Civics: Grade 8 on May 27th and 28th

Students absent on these dates will make up MCAS tests upon their return to school, provided it is within the DESE MCAS testing window.

Please reach out to the following folks for assistance:

• Leigh Joseph, Principal ljoseph@oxps.org
• Miriam Sas, Assistant Principal msas@oxps.org
• Danny Keller, Assistant Principal dkeller@oxps.org
• Abbey Gould, Counselor A-ML agould@oxps.org
• Tim Donahue, Counselor M-Z tdonahue@oxps.org