Message from Christen Sohn: March 25, 2025

Good Afternoon CSUS Families and Caregivers, 

Please see below for information about upcoming MCAS exams, weekly homework, Scholar Artist of the Week, and important dates at CSUS

MCAS testing begins next week 
Our MCAS exams begin Wednesday, April 9 for scholars in all grades; scholars in Ms Ives, Ms Curran, and Mr McClelland’s advisories should look for additional schedule communication from your child’s teacher.

CAMBRIDGE STREET UPPER SCHOOL 
MCAS Testing Schedule
April - May 2025

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. We were excited to celebrate their successes with you at last 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 
As we prepare for the upcoming MCAS testing next week, we will be inventorying Chromebooks and contacting home for any missing devices. Please ensure your scholar charges their chromebook the night before and brings their device to school on testing days. 

Tech reminder: Phones/smart watches 
Phone and tech use is not permitted during testing, and may result in invalidation of a scholars’ test results. 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. Staff collect phones at the start of each day; phones are kept in a locked, secure location and redistributed at the end of the day. If scholars are not comfortable turning in devices they may be left at home.

Scholar Artist(s) of the Week

Community Building Movie Night
Dear families, 

Mark your calendars: on Friday, April 4th, 2025, at 6PM, the PCO will host a movie night for all grades at the CSUS auditorium! We will supply pizza and drinks, and encourage everyone to bring other food items, snacks, and desserts to share. (Note that food must be served and eaten in the cafeteria—no food/drinks in the auditorium!). 

Students must be accompanied by an adult. 
While the children watch the movie, grownups can mingle in the cafeteria and get to know the broader CSUS community over pizza and snacks. 

Now, we need your help! Please use the link below to vote for the movie you'd like to see. Even if you’re unsure whether you can attend, we’d still love your input. (Please do not share outside of our community). 

Vote for a movie here >> 

Hurry—voting closes on March 21st! The winning movie will be announced next week, and siblings are welcome if you find the movie age appropriate.

CSUS PCO is looking for volunteers! 
Dear families, 

We're seeking enthusiastic volunteers to lead or co-lead upcoming events. While the dates are still being finalized, we're looking for individuals who can assist with both event planning and on-site coordination. 

April 

• COBRA Dash (can be moved to May) 
• Movie Night & Community Social 

• Bake Sale (will be held early morning outside Door 4) 
• Book Swap (may be moved to June) 

• Auction (TBC) 

Please reach out to Shalini Ayre ([email protected]) or any member of the PCO Board if you have questions or just to say, 'sign me up!' (hint, hint 😉) 

Thank you as always for your support and consideration of volunteering for these events. 

CSUS PCO Board

CSUS Rising 9th Grade Caregiver Information
The PDF file of the CRLS Family Guidebook produced by the CRLS Family Connection and reviewed by CRLS staff is now available on their website here. 

There are now Google Translated versions of the CRLS family guidebook online. Download the PDF versions here: English | Amharic አማርኛ | Bengali বাংলা | Kreyòl ayisyen | Hindi हिन्दी| l Español (last updated March 23, 2025) 

Feedback on the guidebook is welcome any time here.

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.

Grade 8 Weekly Homework
Grade 7 Weekly Homework
Grade 6 Weekly Homework 

Other Important Upcoming Dates

• March is Women’s History Month
• Read Across America Week March 2-6 
• Ramadan is February 28 - March 29
• March 28: Grade 7 Harvard Teach Field Trip
• March 31: Eid al-Fitr, No School
• March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
• April is National Arab American Heritage Month
• April is Autism Acceptance Month
• April 9: ELA MCAS Testing for all grades
• April 10: ELA MCAS Testing for all grades
• April 18: Good Friday, No School
• April 21 - 25: April Break, No School

Thank you for entrusting us with your scholars’ education, and for your ongoing support of our community.

Go Cobras!
Christen

Head of School
Cambridge Street Upper School