Dear Parents/Guardians of Students in Grades 3-8:
This letter will serve as a reminder that students in Grades 3-8 will be taking the New York State ELA and New York State Math Assessments according to the following schedule:
TEST ADMINISTRATION DATES:
ELA Book 1 – Tuesday, March 28
ELA Book 2 – Wednesday, March 29
ELA Book 3 – Thursday, March 30
MATH Book 1 – Tuesday, May 2
MATH Book 2 – Wednesday, May 3*
MATH Book 3 – Thursday, May 4*
*6th, 7th, and 8th graders are permitted to use a calculator for Book 2 & 3. We encourage these students to bring their own calculator to the assessment.
As with all school days, children should get a good night’s sleep, eat a nutritional breakfast, and arrive at school on time. Testing will begin promptly at the regular start of the school day. Students who arrive after the start of testing will not be permitted into the testing room and will take the make-up exam when it is offered.
Additionally, please remind your child that cell phones and other electronic devices are not permitted in testing areas. Students are required to bring at least two sharpened #2 pencils to their testing rooms and may bring a book to read upon completion and collection of the assessment. If your child brings a cell phone or electronic device to school, it will be collected and returned once the test is completed.
Over the last several years, parents have submitted letters declaring that their child(ren) will be refusing to take the New York State Assessments. If you plan to do so, you must send in a letter as soon as possible stating that you are exercising your parental right to have your child(ren) refuse to take this/these assessments. In grades 3-5, please send the letter to the principal (Mr. Schmelter or Ms. Tancredi-Zott). At Commack Middle School, please send the letter to the main office or directly to Mr. Agovino. It would help us to make the necessary logistical accommodations if we received this letter of refusal by March 20, 2017.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Dr. Donald A. James
Superintendent of Schools