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April 17, 2026

Good People,

Your kids did great on the MCA Reading this week. Thank you for checking in with them about getting a good nights sleep, eating a nutrious breakfast and having their chromebook charged. We appreciate the partnership!

Next week we will take the MCA Math Test on Tuesday April 21. We look forward to your students showing what they can do with math, too!

Please consider sending a positive note to any staff that you appreciate. These spring days are demanding in middle school and showering our staff with a little positivity goes a long way. Thank you for sending us your amazing kids - we love working with them every day!

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.

Fall Movie Night Rescheduled to May 8th! Let's try again for a rain free evening of fun! Sanford PTA will host our annual movie night on Friday - May 8th at 7:45pm. Our movie this year will be the Minecraft Movie. The PTA will be making popcorn for everyone! Students, families, and staff are invited. See you there!

Our next meeting is Tuesday, April 21st from 6:00p-7:30p in the media center at Sanford. Enter through the main entrance. All are welcome!

If you ordered plants from the Gertens PTA Fundraiser, the pick up will be on May 6th at Sanford from 2:00p-6:00p.

To contact us or to sign up for our email notifications, please send an email to: sanfordmspta@gmail.com.

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Picture for free movie at Walker Art Center

This month at the Walker Art Center, we are hosting Middle School Movie Club – a free program designed for middle school aged youth! The event on April 25 will feature the film Be Kind Rewind, plus free art-making and gallery admission. We would love to extend this invitation to you and the youth you work with! Below is more information about the program:

When: Saturday, April 25, 2026, from 12 - 4pm

What: The film screening begins at 1 pm with drop-in art-making offered from noon to 4 pm. Free gallery admission is also included! Registration is available online and limited walk-up tickets will be available on the event day. Family and friends of middle school youth are welcome and also receive free gallery and film tickets.

About the Film: Be Kind Rewind, directed by Michel Gondry

When all the VHS tapes at a neighborhood video store are mysteriously wiped blank, shopkeeper Mike (Yassin Bey) and his chaotic buddy Jerry (Jack Black) team up with neighbors and patrons to re-create the lost films. This goofy celebration of corner stores, movie magic, and community DIY might just inspire you to pick up a camcorder—or at least track down an old VHS tape. Rated PG-13. 2008, US, DCP, in English, 101 min.

For more information about the event and to RSVP, please visit the event page here. I have also attached a flyer to this email. Feel free to share the flyer with your communities! Please reach out with any questions or concerns and we will be happy to help.