The Terra Nova Standardized Tests will be administered next week, March 1st through March 5th. As you may already know, these tests are NOT a part of the students' report card grades. They are an indicator of how well our children perform when they are compared to the rest of the group who are also given the same test. They also help to tell us where or strenghths and weaknesses lie within our curriculum programs. There is absolutely no pressure placed on the children, so please try not to make a huge deal over the tests. At the same time, try to encourage your child to do his/her best and to answer as many of the questions as they can in the amount of time allowed. We will be taking practice tests at the end of this week so that the boys and girls are familiar with the format of the actual tests. These will be sent home so you can look them over with your child. On Monday, most of our day will be spent taking the Cognitive Skills Test. While this is not an "IQ" test, it gives a good idea of what the child is capable of doing. Tuesday and Wednesday, our focus will be on Reading/Language Arts and Mathematics. Thursday and Friday we will take the Social Studies and Science sections of the test. The days will be broken up with our usual "Special" classes and breaks. We will also teach some lessons in between to ease the tension. There will be minimal, if any, homework assignments next week, The children may bring one healthy snack each day - nothing sugary or too heavy. An extra juice would also be a good idea. The best thing you can do to prepare your child for this experience is to make sure they get enough sleep and send them off with a good breakfast. If your child is sick and cannot come to school on any of the test days, make-up tests will be given the following week. We waqnt the boys and girls to do their best on the tests, but do not want them to have any anxiety over them. One more thing, please make sure you send your child with a supply of #2 pencils for the tests.
Lent has begun on Ash Wednesday last week. We will be learning more about this holy season and talking about how sacrificing and doing good works will help prepare us for Easter. We will be attending the Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 2:15 p.m. We always encourage the children to attend Mass with their families on the weekend. There are many excuses, but only one right action. The boys and girls know exactly what that action is. Please help them to follow through on that action by getting them to Mass on Sunday.
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