Pathfinders Press

Chromebook Collection - Please ensure students come to school on Tuesday, 5/28, with their fully-charged Chromebooks AND chargers (both clearly labeled with students' names). We will be collecting their devices in preparation for the EOGs.

Calculators - Mrs. Blocher will start collecting calculators on Tuesday, 5/28, in order to clear them and prepare for the EOG. Your child’s calculator will be labeled with their name and homeroom teacher. All students will receive their calculator in the room in which they are testing (their homeroom or separate setting) the morning of the test.

EOG testing is almost here - Math on Friday, 5/31 & Reading on Monday, 6/3! See below for useful information from our counselors. Also, please ensure students arrive on time on testing days. Late arrivals are a distraction to others. Thank you for your help with this!

Useful Links

Pathfinders Team Curriculum Night Presentation

How to report your child's absence

WCPSS Volunteer Page

Parent Access to PowerSchool

ELA: None

Math 6: 6th Grade Math EOG, Friday, 5/31

Math 6 PLUS: Unit 8 Quiz, Wednesday, 5/29; 6th Grade Math EOG, Friday, 5/31

Science: None

SS: GRAPES Mural Project due Wednesday, 5/29

We have come to the end of our sixth-grade Social Studies curriculum! Students have been busy working on their GRAPES murals. This culminating project may be completed entirely at school and is due at the end of class on Wednesday, May 29. Students may also complete some work at home if they want or need to.

Happy Friday, 6th Grade Families! Please take a few minutes to review the updates below. I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend! We look forward to seeing the students back in the building next Tuesday, May 28th!

End of Grade Testing:

• Student Chromebooks will be collected at the beginning of next week in preparation for EOG testing.

• 6th graders will test on the following dates:

• Thursday, May 30th - Math EOC (6th graders who take Math I)

• Friday, May 31st - Math EOG (all sixth graders)

• Monday, June 3rd - Reading EOG (all sixth graders)

• Please make an effort to ensure that your child is getting to bed at a reasonable time, eating a healthy breakfast, and arriving at school on time.

Strong Finish - The school year is quickly coming to an end, in 12 days to be exact. Please encourage your child to finish the fourth quarter strong by preparing for final assessments and by staying on top of work. Please continue to check PowerSchool regularly for updates on your child's progress and to ensure that there are no missing assignments.

~ Mrs. Summerfield, 6th Grade Assistant Principal

How to keep CALM during tests

With EOGs and end-of-year exams approaching, we thought reviewing some test-taking strategies and ways to lessen test anxiety would be helpful. Below are some helpful strategies to implement before taking the test and during the test.

Before the test:

• Be prepared- Avoid last-minute cramming. Study a little each night several days before the test day.

• Exercise- Studies show that regular exercise sharpens the mind and reduces stress.

• Stop studying the day of the test and don’t talk about the test with classmates- If you are prepared, then studying the day of the test may actually cause higher anxiety and cause you to second guess your answers. Talking to others about the test may also cause you to question how prepared you are and raise your anxiety level.

• Do not compare yourself- Your grades are not your classmates' concerns. It doesn’t matter how well or poorly your classmates do. Set realistic goals and don’t get involved in the “What did you get?” or “I thought that was so easy” conversations. Not only does this make no difference in how you performed, it’s just not nice to make others feel “less” than you if they don’t score as high on a test (we see way too much of this at MPMS).

• Get a good night’s sleep the night of the exam and eat a protein breakfast.

At/During the test:

• Approach the exam with confidence- If you’ve prepared for the test to the best of your abilities, then you should feel confident you’ve done all that you can do to do the best you can.

• Read the directions carefully.

• Pay attention to the time- Budget your test-taking time and don’t get stuck too long on one problem.

• Change positions to help you relax- Even stretch your back and roll your neck around while just sitting in your chair.

• If you go “blank”, skip the question and move on- Figure out your approach to handling the “hard” questions. Are you someone who likes to get all the easiest questions out of the way first or would you rather do the short answer and essay questions first? Know your strategy coming into the test and don’t get stuck on one question for too long.

• Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification from the instructor- Don’t let anxiety build up because you aren’t sure what you are expected to do.

• Don’t panic when students start handing in their papers/finish the test- Take all the time you need or are allowed. There is no reward for being the first done and often, the thoughtful, slower students do better anyway.

Special recognition 🎉​​

Congratulations to our very own Ashley Raab, 7th grade counselor, for receiving the WCPSS Counselor of the Year Award! Her dedication and expertise are truly inspiring. We are all so proud to work with such an amazing counselor and individual!

The National Association for Gifted Children is offering two scholarship award opportunities. Click on the link below for more details.

NAGC Scholarships

Please see this flyer for an opportunity this summer to design, program, and publish your own video game!

• Monday, May 27 - Memorial Day Holiday - No School!
  
• Friday, May 31 - Math 6 EOG
• Monday, June 3 - Reading 6 EOG
• Wednesday, June 12 - Last Day of School for Students!