Greetings,
We have a few updates from UHS this week.
MCAS Dates
Our students in grades 8, 9, and 10 will be taking MCAS this year. Our 10th graders will test first, in English and math, on May 17-20. Grade 8 will test in English, mathematics, and science, with a single session dedicated to each test, May 25-27. Grade 9 students will test in science the first week of June.
We are told there could be information forthcoming for those who are testing remotely, in grade 8 only, but we are waiting on guidance. Students in grades 9 and 10 will be required to report to the school for testing. There is no opt-out provision for students in grades 9 and 10.
For students in grade 11 who have not taken MCAS, the state is going to determine if MCAS can be waived for the Class of 2022. However, any student who wishes to take the test for scholarship purposes - specifically, the John & Abigail Adams Scholarship or the Koplik Certificate of Mastery - may do so this year or early next fall. If you are a parent of an 11th grader who wishes to have your child sit for the test for this purpose, please contact our school administration directly by May 3, 2021.
Senior Class Assembly
We met with the senior class on Thursday, April 15 to discuss end-of-year protocols. Students with a grade of 70 of higher according to their composite average will be exempted from courses as of May 17. Many students will continue to be here to review for AP tests, some of which will be administered remotely and virtually, and others which will be paper-and-pencil, based on student choice. Students who are not passing classes, or who averages for the year fall below 70, will be obliged be in school through May 27, which will enable them to bring up their averages and ensure all graduation requirements are met.
Guidance counselors will be sharing information and notification with all seniors who are in danger of not passing classes and could risk eligibility for graduation. In almost of all of these cases, we have been in touch frequently with students, teachers, and parents, so there should be no surprises.
Summer Academy
We will be presenting options for summer school and enrichment options for students as we head toward the start of June. As we have in years past, students who do not pass classes will have the option of enrolling in our virtual summer school. Other opportunities for academic enrichment and skill development, particularly as students may have struggled this year, will be presented as well. Counselors will also be reaching out following the posting of third quarter report cards.
Report cards for Quarter 3 will be made available today, April 16.
Grade 7 Update
We are finalizing course selections for grade 7 and will be meeting with the class at Whitin in the weeks after April break. We will have some grade 8 students joining us as we work with students on transitions, questions, and other points of interest.
We are also holding a grade 7 parent coffee, virtually, on Thursday, April 29. The Zoom link will be shared after break.
For any family who still wishes to tour UHS, we will be making additional times available in the next couple of weeks.
Spring Athletics
There is an attached message regarding spring athletes from Mr. Carbone.
Travel Advisory
A travel advisory from Ms. Padula, our lead nurse, is attached.
Spring Has Sprung
Even though we are writing this message in the midst of an April snowstorm with plowable accumulation, we acknowledge that spring is upon us. With the typical spring, the weather gets warmer, student focus starts to drift toward summer, and sunny skies make schoolwork a bit less of a priority. Some students may start pushing the envelope with respect to attire, and we try to remind everyone that we expect clothing to be school appropriate at all times, even in the interest of comfort. Likewise, as student social lives become more of a priority, with good weather, it may be more difficult to maintain some safety procedures - indeed, we are seeing an uptick in activity from teenagers with respect to COVID-19. We do not want to see students compromise their academics, their health, or their integrity, and, in particular, some who are on the bubble of one grade to another, may slip in this last term.
We appreciate your support as we navigate these unusual times.
Have a great week.
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