Test March 2025 Newsletter

A good friend told me he has three rules that are the secret to life:

1. Show Up

2. Be Nice

3. Work Hard

When we do these three things, we often find ourselves succeeding, whether we get help (because we showed up and were nice!) or do it on our own (we were working hard!). As we spring into March, remind your Tiger to show up (be at school!), be nice (to classmates and teachers!), and work hard (we learn by doing our work, even when it's hard!).

When we are uncomfortable and unsure, it might be tempting to find a reason not to try or to make an excuse. This picture is me, at the front desk, when the flu hit our office staff. Now, even though I'm the principal, I don't know everything that Ms. Jessi and Ms. Terra do all day. (And if I left you standing at the door for too long, I'm sorry! I always forget which button to push!) But I showed up, I worked hard, and I did my best to be nice. Even when I couldn't answer all the questions or get those door buttons down, it was okay. (And whew! Was I glad when Jessi and Terra were feeling better!)

There is still lots of learning to do this month. We know they have learned a lot since August, but they still need to show up, be nice, and work hard. That is true of every school day, not just when they take the state-required ILearn test in April. It's such a joy to watch your children learn and grow. Thanks for letting us have them each day!

Ms. Brazil

March 3 & 10 - Band Practice 6:30 - 7:30 pm at RHS

March 6 & 13 - Orchestra Practice 3:30 - 4:30 pm at Test

March 12 - Instrument Fitting Night - Future Band Students (1st opportunity) 6:30-8:00 pm

March 12 - Family Title I Night 6:30-8:00 pm

March 12-13 - ILearn Checkpoint #3

March 14 - ISSMA Music Contest for Band and Orchestra - Travel to New Castle

March 17-21 - Kindness Week

March 19 - Instrument Fitting Night - Future Band Students (2nd opportunity) 6:30-8:00 pm

March 21 - Armstrong Classic 3 v 3 Basketball Tournament

March 24-28 - Spring Break

April 10 - Spring Dance

April 16, 17, 23, 24, 25 - ILearn testing dates

April 22 - 6th grade Earth Day Service Learning Project in Glen Miller Park

The PTO works to create extra special events for the school, including academic extenders like the book fair and special events like student dances. We have a few dates to put on your calendar:

Thursday, April 10 - Spring Dance - 6 - 7:30 pm

Please make sure you have a background check for this school year on file if you plan to help.

Every family can support us in some way! Click the button below to join the Parent Square Group where the PTO conducts business and sends requests for help. Every family can support the school in some way! There are no dues. (We can use Parent Square to keep you up to date if you can't make it to a meeting but still want to be involved.)

Being present at school is super important for kids! But sometimes they have to miss. When that happens, please make sure you report your child's absence to the school office (765-973-3412) OR by responding to a ParentSquare message that your student was marked absent.

Mr. Stolle tracks our attendance and will communicate with families about student absences. Please help him out and report your child's absence! His email is jstolle@rcs.k12.in.us.

Sometimes the menu changes. Click on the menu to link to the always up-to-date website.

It can be easy to see why schools need to be teaching children to cooperate. For our 450 students to arrive, learn, and dismiss safely, we have to work together. Otherwise, it would be chaos! But you might also consider for a moment: why is cooperation necessary for your family? How do you work together at home to help each other and take care of the household? Cooperation and teamwork are for home AND school.

Here are some ways to look for cooperation. You see it when people:

• Share helpful information willingly with each other.
• Work together to solve problems.
• Enjoy being around each other .
  
• Ask for help and advice, rather than figuring it out alone.
• Recognize and thank others that helped them

The yearbook includes everyone's school portrait, group photos (for clubs, sports, and musical groups), and candid pictures taken during the school day. Order yours soon!

Test students are participating in the Love Math Challenge. They can play free games from any device. Log in information is below, so you can have your student participate from home any time!

Spring Sports are starting up! RCS teams for Golf, Track and Field, and Swimming are forming.

Checking the Athletics Website is the best way to keep up with our teams. Please come support our students and be part of the fun.

Contact Coach Quinn: mquinn@rcs.k12.in.us

Contact Coach Pitcher: bradp@rcs.k12.in.us

Contact Coach Laughlin: Corey.Laughlin@fssa.in.gov

The change of the seasons can bring change of schools too. Our team at Test is working with the teachers and staff at Dennis Middle School to ensure a smooth transition for our 6th graders going into 7th grade, including visiting and touring Dennis. And, we're working with all six RCS elementaries to plan a program from 4th graders coming into 5th grade at Test. (This will include a visit for students during the day, and a parent night too!) We still have plenty of learning left this school year, but if you are looking ahead and have any questions, please reach out!

This mentoring program meets at Test after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and transportation is home is available. A registration form was shared in ParentSquare; call 973-3329 if you have questions or need assistance. Watch the video below to hear directly from Dr. Lucinda Wright about the program!

Communities in Schools is here to support students and families with basic needs and academic support so kids can concentrate on learning. Ms. Toni Johnson serves Test Intermediate: contact her at tjohnson@rcs.k12.in.us or 973-7207.

Some students are already connected to counselors through Centerstone and Meridian. We have Centerstone services in the school building every day for existing Centerstone clients, and Meridian counselors frequently stop by to check on their caseloads. If you believe your student needs mental health support, we are happy to help with a referral to one of these agencies. Please contact Ms. DeDe Deloney, our Test School Counselor, who can assist with this. Email pwrightdeloney@rcs.k12.in.us or call 765-973-3412.

If school were to be delayed or cancelled due to weather, families will be notified by text and phone call.

• 2-hour delays do not have to be made up - school just starts at 10 am instead of 8 am. If there is a 2-hour delay, school will end at 3:15 (even if it's a Tuesday).
• If school is cancelled, the next day will be an eLearning day.
• Any further cancellations, students will complete Synchronous eLearning Days, where students and teachers will meet online for live virtual learning as Synchronous eLearning Days.

“Test Intermediate School provides a caring, challenging environment where dedicated educators strive to prepare students academically, physically, socially, and emotionally to be productive members of society.”