MMS families,
As we head into Smarter Balanced Assessment (SBA) testing beginning Tuesday, May 5, we want to share how we are approaching this with our students. At MMS, we believe deeply in our students’ ability to achieve at high levels, and we are working to build a culture where academic effort and growth are something we take pride in. The SBA is one way students can demonstrate what they know and how they think, and it gives us important information about our progress as a school and where we can continue to improve.
In the days leading up to testing, we are focusing with students on both mindset and strategy. We are reinforcing that this is not about being perfect, but about showing what they know, sticking with challenging problems, and doing their best thinking. Students are being encouraged to take their time, use the tools available within the test (such as highlighting, eliminating answer choices, and flagging questions to return to), and to approach the assessment with confidence. We want them to understand that there is no advantage to rushing, only to thoughtful, focused effort.
We are also setting clear expectations to ensure a strong testing environment for all students. This includes keeping phones, smart watches, and earbuds stored away in backpacks, maintaining a quiet and focused space, and using time productively by reviewing answers before finishing. Our goal is to create conditions where every student can perform at their highest level.
We are proud of the work our students have done this year and truly believe they are ready. Thank you for your continued support in helping reinforce the importance of doing their best, getting a good night’s sleep, and coming to school ready to focus. We’re excited for our students to show what they know.
As always, please reach out if you have any questions.
Go Trojans!
-Robert Kratzig, Principal
-Jill Hammack, Assistant Principal
