• Shawsheen Valley Technical High School

      Science MCAS Information

      Wednesday, May 29, 2024

       

      Dear Shawsheen Sophomores and their Parents/Guardians,

       

      Next week, sophomores will participate in the Science MCAS exam on Tuesday, June 4 and Wednesday, June 5. Students must earn a passing score on the Grade 10 Science MCAS exam to earn a high school diploma. This message contains important information to ensure all students are prepared for Science MCAS

       

      Bring your fully charged laptop & charger to school

      Students must have their school-issued laptops with them, fully charged, along with their chargers, when they arrive to school on Tuesday, June 4 & Wednesday, June 5. The Science MCAS is administered online, and students will need their school-issued devices to participate. 

       

      Cell phones and other electronic devices prohibited during testing

      Students will not be able to access their cell phones and other electronic devices during MCAS testing. Results may be invalidated for students who use cell phones or other electronic devices during testing. Electronic devices include cell phones, air pods/headphones, smart watches, game consoles, and e-readers.

       

      Science MCAS schedule

      On the two days of Science MCAS, students will report to an abbreviated homeroom and then to the cafeteria for breakfast. After breakfast, students will report to testing locations. During Science MCAS, no students will be dismissed from testing locations prior to 10:43am (first lunch).

      • Students who complete testing before 1st lunch will report to 1st lunch, and then to their assigned locations for the remainder of the school day.
      • Students who complete testing after 1st lunch and before 3rd lunch will report to 3rd lunch, and then to their assigned locations for the remainder of the school day.
      • Students who complete testing after 3rd lunch and before 5th lunch will report to 5th lunch, and then to their assigned locations for the remainder of the school day.
      • Students who do not complete testing before 5th lunch will eat during 5th lunch and then resume testing in assigned locations. If they finish before the end of the school day, they will report to their assigned locations for the remainder of the school day.

      Early dismissals are discouraged

      Parents/guardians sometimes decide to dismiss students early, once students have completed testing each day. Early dismissals are discouraged since it provides a negative incentive for students to rush through the test or submit an incomplete test. If you plan to dismiss your child after they complete testing on Tuesday, June 4 and/or Wednesday, June 4, send a written note to the school on or by Monday, June 3, 2024 providing permission for your student to be dismissed once they have completed testing (instead of writing in an exact time). Students should bring dismissal notes to the main office. Please note that students will not be dismissed from testing locations before 10:43 AM. 

       

      You’ve got this!

      It is natural to expect that some students will experience anxiety in anticipation of the upcoming testing. Our students take this exam seriously, and we applaud them for that! Students - your teachers have been working with you all year to prepare you, and they believe in you! You’ve got this!

       

      Sincerely,

      Jessica Cook

      (she/her/hers)

      Principal