Message from Christen Sohn: April 2, 2024

Posted on 04/02/2024

Good afternoon CSUS families and caregivers,

We hope you are having a great week. Please see below for information about MCAS exams, a new Passover lunch option for scholars, weekly homework, Scholar Artist of the Week, and important dates at CSUS.

MCAS testing begins this week
Our MCAS exams began today for scholars in all grades.

CSUS scholars have engaged in rigorous academic study throughout the school year, and we are confident that they are prepared for the upcoming exams. Scholars have been monitoring their growth over the course of this school year through classroom assignments and projects, unit assessments, and iReady diagnostic tests. They are celebrating their successes and sharing their goals with you at this month’s Scholar Led Conferences. The MCAS is another opportunity for scholars to showcase their growth, and one of many metrics educators use to think critically about practice, curriculum, and how we are meeting scholar needs.

Please support your child at home with the same message that we are giving at school: this test will measure skills that are important in your continuing academic development and will celebrate the growth you made this year. Your classwork has prepared you for success, and we believe in you!

Tech reminder: Chromebooks
A reminder that scholar chromebooks are in-school devices, and are not meant to be brought home. As we prepare for the upcoming MCAS testing next week, we will be inventorying Chromebooks and contacting home for any missing devices. If your scholar brought their chromebook home by mistake, please ensure they return it to CSUS right away.

Tech reminder: Phones/smart watches
Our school phone policy states that use of scholar cell phones and other communication devices, including smart watches, is not permitted during the school day. Advisors will collect phones at the start of each day; phones will be kept in a locked, secure location and redistributed at the end of the day. Please note that on MCAS testing days, all devices will be collected and redistributed at the end of the day for testing security purposes. If scholars are not comfortable turning in devices they may be left in a locker or at home.

CPS offering Passover Lunches
Upper School cafeterias are offering Passover lunches this year, for the first time! If you'd like your child to have Passover-friendly school lunches, please fill out this order form by Fri., April 5. (Note that the lunches do not include ingredients typically avoided during Passover, but they are not made in a kosher kitchen.) If you have questions, please email Sam Musher at the Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging: [email protected].

CPS Communications and Content Survey
Our Communications and Content survey is now open! Please take the time to complete the survey as your input will inform decisions and contribute to the continued improvement of our communication strategies and platforms, both of which are integral to objective 4 of our District Plan-Building Welcoming Schools.

Take the survey here!

The survey will close in three weeks, on Friday, April 5.

CSUS Homework Expectations and Weekly HW Calendars
In an effort to keep scholars, caregivers, and out of school time providers informed regarding weekly assignments, our teaching teams are sharing weekly homework calendars. These will be posted on our website for reference and easy access.