Good morning Whitin Families,
A Happy Easter to all of our Whitin Families who celebrate as well as a joyous Passover.
This coming week we start our 2026 MCAS testing. Tuesday/Thursday: 4th and 7th ELA
Wednesday/Friday: 5th and 6th ELA
A few reminders to prepare your child for MCAS testing:
1: Getting a good night’s sleep during testing week is very important. Testing days can be strenuous for students, as sitting for a two-hour exam in the morning can be mentally taxing. In addition, changes to the regular daily schedule can take a toll on students’ energy and focus.
Ensuring that students get enough rest each night and eat a healthy breakfast—whether at home or at school—can help them feel prepared and perform at their best during testing.
2: Please make sure your child arrives at school on time during testing days. Arriving late can disrupt their schedule and may increase feelings of anxiety and stress before they begin their tests.
3: For students who take their Chromebooks home, please remind them to charge their Chromebooks each night before testing days.
4: Candy and gum: Students may bring a small pack of gum, Jolly Ranchers, or mints to have during testing, if parents choose to provide them. No other types of candy are permitted. Teachers will monitor consumption, and students may have only one piece of candy or one piece of gum at a time during testing.
5: Snacks and water: Students will be allowed to have a dry snack during their testing session, such as Goldfish, Cheez-Its, or cookies. Water will be the only beverage allowed during testing.
Please note that students will not be allowed to enter testing sessions with outside coffee or specialty drinks. We kindly ask that these items not be brought to school on testing days.
Thank you for your support in ensuring students are at their best during testing days.
I wish everyone a great week.
Best,
Leanne DeMarco
Principal
Whitin School
