Dear CSAMS Families,
Thursday is the first of May! Symbolically, May is a time of transition and growth. Spring blossoms provide opportunities for renewal and change, and academically, the end of the school year approaches, bringing with it a flurry of excitement for summer, but also a time to pause and reflect on one school year ending and another soon to begin.
In terms of personal development, May offers moments for introspection and self-discovery, prompting us to evaluate our goals and aspirations. May also presents occasions for connection and bonding with friends and family, as outdoor activities and gatherings become more frequent. Despite the inevitable challenges and uncertainties that come with any period of transition, May serves as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability inherent within us all, as we navigate through both the expected and unexpected moments of our lives. May is a month of growth, reflection, and preparation for the adventures that lie ahead.
May also offers us an opportunity to see the progress your student has made over the course of the school year. In the first weeks of May, Middle School students will first take the MSTEP test, and later in the month, they will take the NWEA reading and mathematics tests. The information gleaned from these assessments allows teachers to refine their practice and provide students with the information they need to create the goals they will establish with their teachers for the 2025-2026 school year.
The month of May also provides students an opportunity to look inward as they reflect on the accomplishments they made throughout this school year. This information will be shared with you during student-led conferences on Monday, June 9th.
Finally, students will begin to prepare to wrap up this school year as they look forward to next year. Some of them will be facing another transition as they get ready to begin their high school journey. Others are looking forward to another year of familiarity. Such is life; however, whichever path your child will be taking, they will be prepared based on the hard work they have demonstrated this school year. The good news is that we still have 7 weeks to go!
In partnership with you,
Dina M Barnaby
Staff Appreciation Week is just around the corner. Our staff work some long hours to be the best they can be for our children. Our CSA District Parent Council needs your help to show our staff how much they are loved. CSAD PC have big plans in the works to make sure each staff member feels special and appreciated but can't do it alone. Please take a look at the signup's below to see how you might be able to help.
Let's rally together to show our staff how much we truly appreciate them.
Click HERE to see donations and volunteer needs for the CSA Elementary Campus.
Click HERE to see donations and volunteer needs for CSAMS & CSPA Campuses.
No time to shop? That's okay. Click on the Donate button below to send a secure financial donation directly to CSA District PC and they will do the shopping for you.
Our CSA District Staff play a significant role in helping students learn, develop, and find specific interests and passions. Often their hard work is overlooked, and they only get feedback when there is an issue. Let’s change that. This year let’s use Staff Appreciation week as a time to reach out to those staff members that have made a difference to us and express our appreciation.
Writing an appreciation letter or email can be one of the most heartfelt gestures you can do as a student or parent. All staff email addresses by campus can be found in the District Contacts section of the Tuesday Times.
College Board exams are state-mandated for all public-school students. These are important exams for our students. The SAT/PSAT and M-STEP are conducted digitally. The testing schedule below outlines the dates we will be administering these exams. Each exam will begin promptly at 9:00 AM, so students need to arrive no later than 8:45 AM.
Monday, May 5 - CSAMS 1st & 2nd year students will take the M-Step Reading Part 1
Tuesday, May 6 - CSAMS 1st & 2nd year students will take the M-Step Reading Part 2
Thursday, May 8 - CSAMS 1st & 2nd year students will take the M-Step Math
Thursday, May 8 - CSAMS 3rd year students will take the M-Step Science & Social Studies
Monday, May 19 - All CSAMS students will take the NWEA Reading
Wednesday, May 21 - All CSAMS students will take the NWEA Math
It is critical that students arrive on time. The rules for administering these exams are precise and inflexible. There is no leeway. The moment verbal directions for the exam begin, any student not seated will not be permitted entry into the examination room. There are no exceptions. Students are not permitted to eat or drink anything during the exam. Students will have breaks during the exam. During break time, they may leave the testing room and will be permitted to have snacks. Although snacks will be provided, we also encourage students to bring a snack with them to eat during the break so they will be properly “fueled” for the duration of each exam.
Students are not permitted to have ANY type of electronic communication devices (ECDs) with them during the exams, which means no cell phones, iPods, smart watches or any other ECDs. Students will be asked to turn in their ECDs prior to testing. These devices will be stored in a safe place and returned to students after testing is completed for the day. Students who have alarms on their watches must turn off those alarms during testing. A phone that rings or buzzes during testing will result in the student’s test being voided, and the student will be dismissed from the testing session.
Students will be permitted to use College Board approved calculators during the exam. Consider taking a moment to replace the batteries in your child’s TI-84 calculator before test day. The digital test platform has a built-in graphing calculator that you can use if you wish. Please support your students so they come to all tests well rested and ready to do their personal best. Be sure they get enough sleep on both the night and weekend prior to the test.
Are you interested in helping out next school year? We are looking to fill some parent council positions. The CSA District Parent Council is instrumental in expanding opportunities for our educators and students. The CSAD PC enhances the educational programs offered in our District and supports school activities and events. They engage in both FUN-raising and FUND-raising, the former by coordinating community-building activities and the latter by raising funds to supplement school resources. They also work to support the parent body through education and outreach. CSA District Parent Council makes a significant difference in providing the very best education to our students. They are currently looking for a District Secretary, CSPA PC Co-Chair, and two CSAMS PC Co-Chairs. Training is provided for all positions.
If you are interested in a position or would like more information please contact CSAD PC at CSAParentCouncil@csaschool.org.
