The Long Composition portion of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) is being administered to all fourth grade students in the Commonwealth on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Newton’s dismissal time on Tuesday is normally 12:30 p.m. In order to administer the test at the same time as all of the other schools in Massachusetts, we must extend school hours to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23, for all students in grades K through 5. On Wednesday, March 24 school will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m. Newton after-school programs have been informed of this change.
We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this change may cause your family. The Food Service Department will take responsibility for adjusting student lunch choices based on this schedule change.
Please note: Kindergarten students who are in group A and usually stay in school until 3 p.m. on Wednesday will stay until 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 instead. On Wednesday, March 24, group A will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.
Students across the Commonwealth are required to take the English Language Arts Long Composition test that must be administered in two sessions on Tuesday, March 23. It is recommended by the Department of Education (DOE) that students have 45 minutes to complete each session. However, due to the “un-timed” nature of the MCAS tests, the DOE recommends scheduling 2-hour blocks for each test session. Extending the school day on March 23 will give our students the same opportunity as other Massachusetts students to take the test in a reasonable time frame. The remainder of the English Language Arts portion of the MCAS is being administered to fourth grade students over several days during a two-week time frame beginning March 24 and ending April 12. Math will be administered in May.
Please contact your building principal if you have questions. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Dr. Patricia A. Kelly
Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education
