Sanford Family Newsletter Logo

April 10, 2026

Good People,

This week we held Class Meetings. This is a great opportunity to teach students about our International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program Learner Profile. This quarter we talked about being risk-takers. We talked about that meaning: "I've never done this before, and I might not succeed the first time, but I'm going to try anyway." We also reviewed behavior expectations and celebrated student of the quarter. Please check out the slides below.

Please take a moment to review the student handbook on the district website (link below) which is Minneapolis Public Schools’ guide to student behavior. Minneapolis Public Schools’ School Board creates and adopts policies to guide the actions of everyone in the district. The goal of Minneapolis Public Schools is to provide students with a safe environment conducive to learning. Minneapolis Public Schools also recognizes that removal from instruction can work against academic achievement and should be avoided whenever possible. The guidelines and regulations regarding student behavior and discipline in this handbook fulfill Regulation 5200A.

For the MCA Reading test on Tuesday please check in with your student about getting a good night sleep, bringing their charged chromebook and wired headphones, and to eat a nutritious breakfast. Talking positively about the test is also helpful! See more information in the next section.

In Partnership,

Naida Grussing-Neitzel, Ed.S.

Principal

Maria Sanford Middle School

The Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment (MCA) is a yearly state test that acts like a "check-up" for your child’s education. Just as a doctor uses a check-up to see how a child is growing physically, the state uses the MCA to see how students are growing academically.

MCA Reading is Tuesday April 14, 2026 from 8:40-11:00am; the make up date is Wednesday April 15.

MCA Math is Tuesday April 21, 2026 from 8:40-11:00am; the make up date is Wednesday April 22.

MCA Science is for 8th grade on April 28, 29, 2026 during Science class; the make up date is April 30.

For the MCAs, please bring headphones, get a good night sleep, eat a nutritious breakfast. No PHONES or WIRELESS HEADPHONES/ AIR PODS or SMARTWATCHES!

Here is why students take the test and what the results mean for your family:

1. It Measures "Grade-Level" Progress

The test is designed to see if your child is learning the specific skills Minnesota requires for their grade.

The Subjects: Reading and Math (Grades 3–8 and once in High School) and Science (Grades 5, 8, and once in High School).
The Goal: To see if your child "Meets the Standards"—meaning they know what they are supposed to know by the end of that school year.

2. It Helps Schools Improve: The MCA isn't just about your individual child; it’s a report card for the school. If a whole grade level struggles with a certain math concept, the school can use that information.

3. It Highlights "Gaps" in Learning: The results help the state and the school see if certain groups of students (for example, students with disabilities or students from different neighborhoods) are getting the support they need. This helps ensure that every student has an equal chance to succeed.

Important Note: The MCA is just one snapshot of your child's learning. It does not look at their creativity, their hard work in class, or their performance on daily assignments. Teachers always recommend looking at MCA scores alongside classroom grades and teacher feedback to get the "full picture" of how your child is doing.