If it feels like April arrived with a bang announcing field trips, assemblies, testing, special schedules, and end‑of‑year events all at once—you are not imagining it. This time of year is exciting, meaningful, and just a little bit overwhelming. Thank you for rolling with the changes, checking your Remind, our district calendar, and supporting your child through the joyful chaos that comes with finishing the school year strong. I would like to share several important updates regarding state testing, NWEA benchmark assessments, a change to our bullying reporting process, and how families can help support students through these academic milestones.

Please remember we have 2 more weeks of 4 Day weeks and then during the state testing window starting on April 20th we are back to 5 day weeks. (Reminder: we produced a simpler, less confusing calendar for next year).

State Testing Schedule Reminder
As the state testing window opens up for Grades 3-8 on April 20th, consistent attendance during this time is very important, and we appreciate your help in ensuring students are present, on time, and well‑rested. Our high school students have already begun their state testing, and students across the district are currently finishing their final round of NWEA benchmark assessments.

Understanding NWEA Benchmark Testing
NWEA (MAP) benchmark assessments are adaptive assessments designed to measure student growth over time. These assessments help teachers better understand each student’s instructional needs by identifying strengths, areas for growth, and progress across the year. NWEA results allow educators to tailor instruction, provide targeted support, and monitor academic growth rather than relying on a single snapshot in time. We hope your kiddo has come home talking about goals they’ve set for themselves and taking some ownership of their academic progress through our conversations of these exams on campus.

Understanding State Testing
State assessments provide a broader picture of how our students, schools, and district are progressing in relation to state academic standards. These results help guide instructional decisions, curriculum planning, and system‑wide support to ensure all students have access to high‑quality learning experiences.

While these assessments are important tools, they represent only one measure of student learning.

We want to be very clear: we place importance on these exams and use them to create better instruction and better learning for your student. BUT, we also want to be clear about who your child is to us. We view each student as a whole child, recognizing their individual talents, resilience, creativity, and character. Our ultimate aim is to help you equip your child with HOPE that comes from a confidence in their ability to achieve their dreams. During this sometimes stressful, end of year season, our desire is for students to approach testing with confidence, pride in their effort, and an understanding that growth matters more than perfection. Help us encourage and motivate our students to approach this season with integrity in their effort, but perspective in the role this plays in the grand scheme of their education.

How Families Can Help Support and Motivate Students
Families play a powerful role in shaping how students view testing. A few ways you can support your child include encouraging them to simply do their best, reinforcing the importance of good sleep and healthy routines, helping them arrive at school on time, and keeping conversations positive and balanced. Remind them that testing is one moment in a much larger journey and that effort and perseverance matter. When students hear consistent, supportive messages from home and school, they are more likely to feel confident and motivated.



Updated Bullying Reporting Process
We are also updating how students report bullying concerns. Students can now access StopIt directly from their Chromebooks by logging in, selecting “CPS Links” in the top left corner, and clicking on the StopIt link. This update makes reporting more accessible and ensures students can reach support when they need it. For more information on Stopit, check out our blogpost.



Thank you for your continued partnership, trust, and commitment to your child’s success. Together, we will continue to support our students academically, socially, and emotionally as we finish the year strong.