PS242

Welcome back from spring break.  I hope everyone had a chance to rest and relax just a little while enjoying some family time together.  Spring is here and excitement is in the air as we continue to have a wonderful year of learning here at Young Diplomats Magnet Academy. As always, we greatly appreciate the combined efforts of all as we support our students in successfully meeting the highest of standards set before them!

Thank you for your continued support of all of the activities we have here at Young Diplomats Magnet Academy. March was a very busy month and the remainder of the school year will also be filled with many activities. Please refer to the important dates in the back of this newsletter. I want to thank all of our families who completed the Learning Environment Survey this year. Your input is very important.

Finally, the month of April marks the beginning of state testing.  We will begin administering the ELA state test to our upper grade students beginning on Wednesday, April 11th and Thursday, April 12th.  It is very important that your children be at school to participate in this testing.  Past experience has shown that students who take the assessments with their class perform at a higher level than those who take a make-up assessment at a different time.  If you need to schedule a medical appointment for your child in the next month, please check with your child’s teacher to find out what days to avoid when scheduling the appointment. 

In the past, accountability systems for districts and schools relied solely on test scores. But one test taken on one particular day doesn’t provide a complete picture of all the ways schools are helping students succeed. Think of it this way: You can’t drive a car by only watching the speedometer. You also keep your eye on the road, check the mirrors, monitor the gas tank and pay attention if the engine light comes on. Similarly, the state tests provide information on different aspects of student performance, which will give a more complete picture of a school’s needs and progress. The state test data results also reports on growth to show a school’s trajectory over time.

There are many more events scheduled for the upcoming months such as the Carnival, Art Gala, and fifth grade Exhibition. Please come out and get involved with us. Learning does not end just because the state tests are over. We will continue to involve your child in deep, rich learning experiences. I hope to see you at some of our activities. As always, feel free to email me at dgomez5@schools.nyc.gov if you have any questions.