Dear Families,
In a few weeks, Amigos students, like all other Cambridge students, will be participating in the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS). These assessments will take place during April and May and focus on Literacy, Math and Science. While teachers have been preparing students for this assessment, our focus continues to be on authentic and high-quality instruction in two languages.
This year, students in grades 4-8 will be taking the assessment online. Third grade will participate in the paper-based assessment. The testing schedule is as follows:
April 9th and 10th - 4th and 5th grade English Language Arts
April 11th and 12th - Upper School English Language Arts
April 25th and 26th - 3rd grade English Language Arts
May 2nd and 3rd - 4th and 5th grade Math
May 7th and 8th - 3rd grade Math
May 10th and 11th - Upper School Math
May 17th and 18th - 5th and 8th grade Science
We ask that you please avoid scheduling appointments or trips during your child’s assessment dates.
This Saturday is the Amigos Yard Sale from 10AM - 2PM in the gym! Don’t miss your chance to get some “new to you” stuff.
Thank you, and have a wonderful weekend.
Sincerely,
Sarah Bartels-Marrero
Principal
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Estimadas Familias,
En unas cuantas semanas, los estudiantes de Amigos, como otros estudiantes en Cambridge, participarán en los exámenes estatales MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System). Estas evaluaciones se llevarán a cabo durante abril y mayo y se enfocan en la Lecto-escritura, Matemáticas y Ciencias. Aunque los profesores han estado preparando los estudiantes para tomar los exámenes, nuestro enfoque, sigue siendo en la enseñanza auténtica y de alta calidad en dos idiomas.
Este año, los estudiantes de 4to a 8vo tomarán el examen en línea. El tercer grado tomará el examen en papel.
El cronograma de evaluaciones es el siguiente:
9 y 10 de abril - Artes del Lenguaje en Inglés de 4º y 5º grado
11 y 12 de abril - Artes del Lenguaje en Inglés Escuela intermedia
25 y 26 de abril - Artes del Lenguaje en Inglés de 3º grado
2 y 3 de mayo - Matemáticas de 4 ° y 5 ° grado
7 y 8 de mayo - Matemáticas de 3er grado
10 y 11 de mayo - Matemáticas en la escuela intermedia
17 y 18 de mayo - Ciencias de quinto y octavo grado
Les pedimos que eviten programar ausencias o viajes durante las fechas de evaluación de su hijo/a.
¡Este sábado es La venta de garaje de Amigos de 10-2PM! No pierdan su oportunidad de conseguir algunas “cosas nuevas”.
Gracias, y que tengan un maravilloso fin de semana.
Atentamente,
Sarah Bartels- Marrero
Directora
MCAS FAQ’s
What is the testing window?
The testing window for the English Language Arts MCAS is April 2 through May 4. The testing window for Math and Science and Technology is April 3 through May 25. Each individual grade level will have a series of testing days within these windows.
What grades participate in MCAS?
Grades 3, 4, 6 and 7 take MCAS for English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.
Grades 5 and 8 take MCAS for English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Science and Technology (STE)
Does my child have to take the MCAS assessment?
It is important that all students in grades 3-8 participate in MCAS. A school’s accountability report is based on student performance on statewide assessments. A school’s overall score drops if participation is low and this can result in a low accountability score. If a school’s accountability score is level 3 or lower, the school/district is required to work with officials from the state who require participation in prescribed targeted assistance. This results in less school autonomy. After much work, Amigos is currently a Level 1 school. Participation is very important!
FAQ’s Español
¿Cuál es la ventana para administrar la evaluación?
La ventana para administrar MCAS Artes del Lenguaje en Inglés (ELA) será entre el 2 de abril y el 4 de mayo. La ventana para administrar MCAS en Matemáticas y Ciencia será entre el 3 de abril y el 25 de mayo. Cada grado tendrá una serie de días para tomar los exámenes durante estas ventanas.
¿Cuales grados toman el MCAS?
3ero, 4to, 6to y 7mo toman el MCAS de Artes de Lenguaje y Matemáticas. 5to y 8vo toman el MCAS de Artes de Lenguaje, Matemáticas y Ciencias/Tecnología.
¿Debe mi hijo/hija tomar el examen MCAS?
Es importante que todos los estudiantes de 3ro a 8vo grado participen en MCAS. El informe de rendimiento escolar está basado en el desempeño de nuestros estudiantes en evaluaciones a nivel del estado. El puntaje total de una escuela baja si hay poca participación, lo que puede resultar en un puntaje de rendimiento bajo para la escuela. Si el puntaje de una escuela es de nivel 3 o menos, la escuela/distrito estaría requerida a trabajar con oficiales estatales que requieren la participación en ayuda enfocada prescrita. Esto resulta en menos autonomía. Después de mucho trabajo, Amigos tiene un puntaje escolar de Nivel 1. ¡La participación es muy importante!
Multicultural Night
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The Mind Matters:
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Curbside Compost Goes Citywide April 2!
Did you know that Cambridge has had a pilot curbside compost program for 1 to 12 unit buildings with City trash service in North Cambridge? And that most participants cut their trash by 35%?
By composting we can help the City cut waste and put our food scraps to work making clean energy and fertilizer.
Tell your friends, family, and neighbors to grab their new bins and start composting!
Volunteer to help move bins off the curb!
Saturday April 7 | 1 - 3:30PM, meet in front of City Hall
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Curbside Compost Goes Citywide April 2 for 1-12 Unit Buildings!
To learn more, attend an open house near you:
Main Library | Saturday, March 24 | 11:30AM - 12:30PM
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Kennedy-Longfellow School | Tuesday, March 27 | 6 - 7PM
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Go Green Challenge
The Go Green Challenge is a competition run each year in Cambridge Public Schools in partnership with the Department of Public Works (DPW). Every elementary classroom teacher receives a sheet to fill out with his or her students, indicating green actions they are taking together, such as recycling, having a plant in the classroom, or printing double-sided.
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2018 DHSP Summer Program Guide
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