To: Parents

From: M. Barker and J. Harrington

Re: New York State ELA Assessments

Date: January 11, 2007

Grade seven and eight ELA State Assessments will be administered on the following dates:

Wednesday & Thursday January 17 th & 18 th

Makeup Dates January 22 nd – 26 th

Students and teachers have been working very hard to meet state standards. Research and common sense indicate that being physically, as well as, mentally prepared, influences how well we perform. Therefore, it is important that your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a good breakfast before these tests. In addition we ask that you encourage your child to attend school on these days and put forth his/her best effort on these exams.

While these ELA tests are a refection of our effectiveness as a school, they are, more importantly, an indication of your child’s ability to apply reading and writing skills to real situations. It is important that outcomes portray a valid reflection of what your child knows and is able to do. Each of us has experienced how dramatic the difference between our best and worst performance can be. Therefore, we ask that you help us in encouraging and enabling your son/daughter to perform at the peak of his/her ability while taking these tests.

If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at 245-0080. Once again, we thank you for your cooperation.