April is going to be busy - the RCS middle school musical Frozen, ILearning testing, and Earth Day Service Project, the spring band concert, spring athletics, a new module theme in English Language Arts... there's a lot going on!

I also want to shout out all the kids that participated in Kindness Week and the Armstrong Classic. From everyone who created a link in the kindness chain to the kids that played in Friday's tournament to the volunteers that helped referee to every single student that cheered and enjoyed the staff vs. students game, it was a wonderful week. Our kindness chain started at the back office and grew all the way down the hall to the gym. I'm proud of our students and staff for embracing their opportunity to be Upstanders and to actively make our school awesome.

Ms. Brazil

April 9 - Jacy House visits begin (for classes that didn't have visits in February)

April 10 - Spring Dance - 5-6:30 pm (Volunteers needed)

April 11 - 5th grade field trip to RCS Middle School drama production of Frozen at Dennis

April 14-26 - StarLab program visits Test during science class

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

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

April 23 - Band Concert - 6 pm Civic Hall

May 6 - 4th Grade Family Night - 5:30-6:30 pm - Test Cafeteria

May 6 - Spring Title I Night Open House (all Test Families) - 5:30-6:30 pm - Test Library

May 13 - Orchestra Concert 6:30 pm - Civic Hall

May 14 - 6th Grade field trip to Wayne County Chamber of Commerce Reality Store

May 15 - Choir Concert - 6:30 pm - Dennis Auditorium

May 15 - All RCS 4th graders tour Test Intermediate School

May 20 - 5th Grade Recognition Ceremony - 1:15 pm - Test Gym (Parents invited)

May 21 - 6th Grade Recognition Ceremony - 1:15 pm - Test Gym (Parents invited)

May 22 - Tiger Olympics and the last day of school - Volunteers needed!

The ILearn is Indiana's required test for all students. Each student will be tested in three areas: English, Math, and Science (6th grade) or Social Studies (5th grade). We want every student to do their best to show what they know!

On testing days, students will report to homeroom to make sure they've got breakfast and working computers, and then we will begin testing at 8:15. When testing wraps up at 10:15, we will follow an abbreviated school day schedule. All students will still have lunch and wellness time, so they will still have a break in their day!

For two weeks, starting April 16, we will test Wednesdays, Thursdays, and one Friday. This lets us use Monday and Tuesday as regular school days and a break from testing for students. It also allows any students that need additional time to finish their test sections before moving on to the next part.

For these testing days, we would really appreciate extra effort to make sure students are at school on time, well-rested and ready to go at 8 am. If your child has an appointment during these days, scheduling it after 10:15 ensures they do not have to make up missed tests.

Testing Schedule

Wednesday, April 16: English

Thursday, April 17: English

Wednesday, April 23: Math

Thursday, April 24: Math

Friday, April 25: 5th grade - Social Studies 6th grade - Science

Please reach out to your child's teacher if you have any questions.

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.

This month, think about believing that something good can come out of something bad. It can be tricky to talk about this with kids, because hope doesn't always mean you're starting from a bad place, and it also doesn't mean that bad things are suddenly OK when you have hope. What it does for all of us, however, is remind us that things can be different in the future than they are in the present, and sometimes that glimmer is just enough to get us through some rough stuff.

So how can you look for hope with your families?

• When you do a "lessons learned" recap after an event or project to help you approach it better next time
  
• When you circle a date on the calendar to remind you of something upcoming that you look forward to
• When you share openly about a time things weren't going your way so others can see how you've come through
  
• When you celebrate overcoming an obstacle together

Our young people have lived through a lot already, and they have surely had to find ways to make lemonade out or lemons! As we talk to them about hope, remember that they have faced disappointment and uncertainty, so it may help to focus on the "believing that something good can happen" part of hope.

Share with your child something you hope for their future. Encourage them to do the same for someone else. Sometimes, when things seem dark for us, it is the light of another person that pulls us forward toward hope.

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. If you have questions for spring sport coaches, they can be reached:

Golf: Coach Laughlin - Corey.Laughlin@fssa.in.gov

Swimming: Coach Quinn - mquinn@rcs.k12.in.us

Track: Coach Pitcher - bradp@rcs.k12.in.us

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 support 4th graders coming into 5th grade. Parents and families are invited to visit on Tuesday, May 6 from 5:30 - 6:30 pm. All 4th grade students will visit and tour the building on May 15. 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.

“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.”