FOCUS ON CAASPP TESTING

Our staff collaborated and designed a new schedule for our upcoming CST / CAASPP Testing Window. We wanted to share the WHY? and a few key details.

1. Why the change?
   Our previous testing schedule lasted over four weeks creating "Testing Fatigue." Our new schedule addresses this by having a focused and shortened time to complete the testing. Out new schedule also has brought our staff together into testing teams designed to support our test takers. We are completing testing in 6 days!
2. What is the biggest change?
   The biggest change is that ONLY Students taking the assessments will be on campus during the testing window. While students who are not testing may still arrive on campus, it is our hope that the non-testing students utilize this time to catch-up on rest and other family obligations.
3. Are there other things I need to know?
   We have created a document with FAQs and will be sending out reminders throughout the testing window and even some inform during break. Testing Rooms have been created and testers will report on time at 8:30 ready to test in the same testing room each day that they have a test.
4. Who Tests and Does My Student Test everyday?
   Seniors and Sophomores do not test.
   Freshman Test On certain days based on their PE Class or Sport (Physical Fitness Testing)
   7th, 8th and 11th Grade Students test nearly every day of the testing window.
5. Are there other benefits?
   The added benefit is that we will still see each of our students and be able to work on content, curriculum and classroom instruction each day of testing.

We have taken the liberty to create infographics as well as a more traditional overview that also includes an FAQ (That we will continue to update as we make progress toward the testing window)

We ask that you stress the importance of this testing to your testing students. Results of these assessments will be utilized as part of the measure when determining support classes and other areas of intervention. While we will still look grades and performance on other assessments, THIS IS A HUGE PART of determining where we are as a learning community. We really want students to bet forth their very best effort.

We will also be rewarding the top testing rooms in terms of attendance rate during the testing window. More information to come on that later. Show up! Show out! Represent the SOON Community with pride!

Sean. R. Diaz

Proud Principal - Mayfair Middle and High School

#bewater

As we prepare for state testing, it is important to recognize that this can indeed be a source of added stress for students. Tests can naturally be stressful, but the added focus and attention that comes with state testing can create an even greater sense of pressure. As a school, we want to do our best to help support our students who might be experiencing some test anxiety by giving some suggestions to our families on things they can do at home that can help. Here are a few helpful tips for supporting your student:

1. In any stressful situation, whether it be in competition, at work, or with tests, deep breathing is a great way to help calm one’s nerves. Remind your student to visualize something that is calming to them, and then practice taking slow deep breaths. A great strategy to help with this is called 5 Finger Breathing. Students start at the base of their thumb and trace a finger up while inhaling, then slowly trace down their thumb while exhaling. Then move on to your fingers, repeating the breathing pattern. See the images below to help!
2. Another strategy you could talk about at home is what educational psychologist Dr. Michele Borba calls the 1+3+10 Strategy. Dr. Borba teaches students that when they feel like they are getting tense, they should 1 stop and tell themselves: “Be calm,” then take 3 deep slow breaths, then count slowly to 10.
3. Don’t underestimate a good night's rest. The simple reminder to get to bed a little earlier the night before can do a lot of good to help reduce one’s stress level.
4. Remind your student that feeling anxious is normal! Anytime in life when we have something important on the horizon it is normal for us to feel nervous about it. Sometimes students can compound their anxiety if they think that feeling nervous is abnormal.

Perhaps the most important thing to remind your student is that once that test starts, just “try their best and forget the rest!” It can be helpful to remind them that the primary function of state tests is to give feedback to their teachers and school. State tests help us determine what areas we can continue to improve in our instruction, as well as help us identify the learning needs of individual students.

Please click on the graphic below to take you to the information page on our website. CLICK HERE TOO!

April 7th - April 14th

• Spring Break - School is Closed

April 9th - 14th

• YBS HBCU Tour

April 17th

• School Resumes

April 18th - Special Schedule

• CAASPP Testing Day One

April 19th - Special Schedule

• CAASPP Testing Day Two

April 20th - Special Schedule

• CAASPP Testing Day Three

April 25th- Special Schedule

• CAASPP Testing Day Four

April 26th- Special Schedule

• CAASPP Testing Day Five

April 27th- Special Schedule

• CAASPP Testing Day Five

AFTER SCHOOL DETENTION (Tuesdays and Thursdays)