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Greetings
Dear RAUC families,
Please watch the video below OR scroll down to read some updates for this week's news:
As always, if you have any questions or comments about the news or anything else, please don’t hesitate to email Family Liaison Julia Ho at [email protected] or phone at 617.352.5781.
Best,
Julie Craven, RAUC Principal
Julia Ho, RAUC Family Liaison
MCAS 2022 Update
Students will take the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) this spring (see schedule below). The MCAS is the state standardized exam that gives schools, districts and families information about student achievement and growth on grade level standards. We use this data as one measure of a student’s overall academic performance.
Last week and this week, all students engaged in an infrastructure trial and practice test. This familiarizes students with the interface and the different tools available to them during the MCAS. ELA and Math teachers also spend a few days before the assessment familiarizing students with the design and layout of the exam. We do not spend a lot of time reviewing for the assessment in classes; we feel confident that our standards-based curricula provides students with an excellent, rigorous education that will prepare them well for the state assessment and beyond.
Some important information:
- MCAS is untimed - students can take as much time as needed.
- The ELA and Math sections are both 2 test sessions each for all students in grades 6-8.
- The Science and Technology/Engineering section is also 2 test sessions for students in Grade 8 only.
- The ELA exam consists of reading passages, multiple choice questions, essays and text-based narrative writing.
- The Math exam consists of multiple choice questions, short answer/fill in the blank questions, open responses and multiple select questions.
- The 8th grade Science exam consists of multiple choice questions and open responses.
- This year 8th grade is piloting a new STEM assessment for one of the tests–as a pilot, their scores will not be counted in schoolwide data.
Students’ score reports will be sent to families in the fall (the state hasn’t released dates yet)
- To support your student’s success:
- Make sure they…
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test
- Have a good dinner and then a good breakfast
- Bring a water bottle–we will provide a snack.
- Remind them that…
- MCAS scores do not affect their grade–it is simply one way to see how they do compared to other students on this particular test!
- Mostly MCAS helps the school learn how we can strengthen our support of students.
- So they should relax and just do their best!
Schedule
View pdf >>
TO OUR MUSLIM FAMILIES: We know that Ramadan this year falls between April 2 and May 2. The state gives us dates that the tests must happen between, so we cannot avoid scheduling ELA tests during Ramadan. We know that students test better when they have eaten. However, we will follow your student's lead on how they want to balance fasting during the testing period. If you would like to discuss this further, please feel free to reach out to family liaison Julia Ho (617.349.4060 x2041).
Update to Transportation Policy
 For safety reasons, we want to ensure that we have an accurate list of students riding the bus each day. Please fill out this transportation change form IF...
- Your student needs to take the bus from or to a different location than your home. For example...
- Different parent or caregiver's home
- After school program in the city
- Your student is going to a RAUC after school club.
- Use the form to indicate that they will not be going on their scheduled bus that day.
- We have a separate sign up for the late bus.
- If your student wants to go with a friend on a different bus, make sure your student goes to the main office and Ms. Linette will fill out a form for that day.
- We will remind students at school but thanks for your help reminding them at home!
Visual and Performing Arts Options for 6th and 7th Graders
 
We are proud of our 6th-8th music pathway that allows students to spend three years developing a music skill. That said, we know sometimes students change their interests from when they selected their music class in 5th grade. We have some options below if that is the case.
- Current 6th graders have the option to switch into a different pathway in 7th grade or to choose one of two new music options–Ukulele or drumming in Urban Legends. Click on the above images to hear some sounds from each class!
- While the option is given, we strongly encourage students to remain in the current band, orchestra, or chorus class that they participated in this school year.
- Students have spent dedicated time learning their instrument or expanding their instrumental and vocal skills, and starting over in a new music class can be challenging at the 7th grade level.
- Students who wish to make a change or choose one of the new options should check in with their parents/guardians and their current music teacher.
- Current 7th Graders have the exciting option to choose a drama elective 8th grade in place of their art class.
- How to make a change:
- These options will be reviewed with current 6th and 7th grade students during their morning advisory classes
- Students will be able to make their selection on a google form shared with them in advisory.
- The form can also be completed at home using the same links. See below for the slides and forms shared with students.
Math Updates
ALL GRADES: April Break Math Programs
- The Math Department will offer two programs from Tuesday to Friday during April break:
 April Immersion Camp (Grades 6-8)
- Grade 6-8 students are invited to join the CPS Math Department and YPP in joyful math experiences during the break.
- This is a FREE program with lunch included.
- The Grade 8 Math CORE Program (Comprehensive Review Program) All Grade 8 students will have an opportunity to review Grade content in the first Grade 8 IM units. We will ask teachers to recommend students using end-of-unit and formative assessment data.
- Please reach out to your student’s math teacher or to math coach Julia Stoller if you have questions or would like support in registering for any of these programs.
8th GRADE Math Placement–8th grade families were sent a communication by the district about the 9th grade math placement process.
- You can also see that communication here.
Women’s History Month March Madness
 Just for fun, check out the bracket in the hallway that highlights women of note who have graduated from colleges participating in the NCAA basketball tournament.
8th grade graduation update
The district sets the dates for 8th grade graduation. We know families are eager to make plans for graduation and for summer travel. We promise we will let you know as soon as we get information!
CPS Lunch & Breakfast Menu - March Week 5
Click here for the full menu >>
Healthy Snack of the Week
 Fruit & Cheese Kabobs! Alternate chopped fruit and cheese pieces on a chopstick or kabob. Try melon, berries, apple, pears, pineapples & more!
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