STAAR Info for Parents

Dear parents of SSMS students,
This letter is intended to provide you with important information regarding upcoming STAAR
simulations and STAAR assessments. The information included applies to all 3 grade levels.
This week’s STAAR simulation schedule:
Wednesday, March 25:
7th grade math simulation
8th grade social studies simulation
6th grade STAAR prep
Thursday, March 26:
7th grade reading simulation
8th grade science simulation
6th grade STAAR prep
Next week’s STAAR testing and simulation schedule:
Monday, March 30:
7th grade writing STAAR part 1
6th and 8th grade math simulations
Tuesday, March 31:
7th grade writing STAAR part 2
8th grade reading STAAR
6th grade reading simulation
These tests are very important and we ask that you prepare your child to perform at his/her best
on STAAR and simulation days. Parents are always asking “how can I help my child?” Well,
here are some GREAT ways that you can help!
*MAKE IT A GREAT START!
Please be sure your child gets good rest the night before the test and a healthy breakfast on the
day of testing. Students do better when they come in rested, full and HAPPY.
If your student doesn’t like to eat breakfast, then please send him/her with a “dry” snack to eat in
the cafeteria before school starts or in the classroom before the testing begins. Great snacks to
send include: cheese stick, cheese crackers, cheese its, gold fish, pretzels, etc. Please do not send
messy snacks like yogurt/applesauce/sticky breads/etc.).
Students should bring a bottle of water to keep near them during the test.
Students should dress comfortably and will need a light jacket if they are typically cold.
Please make sure that your child is at school ON TIME and doesn’t have any scheduled
appointments on STAAR or simulation days. We need your child to be at school all day.
It is also important that we keep all disturbances to a minimum on these important days.
*REGARDING LUNCHES……
Please be sure your child makes it out the door with his/her lunch or is prepared to get a lunch
from the cafeteria. All students eat in their classroom on these days.
We will accept no deliveries from parents bringing “fast food” on STAAR or simulation
days.
We appreciated your help with this so much last year. It made for a great testing
environment!
The cafeteria menu choices are: hot or cold sandwich, chips, fruit, and milk.
No snacks/ice cream sales occur on STAAR days.
If a student forgets his/her sack lunch from home, the student will be directed to go through the
line in the cafeteria rather than to call home for the lunch. Our time is very limited.
*PARENTAL SUPPORT REQUESTED!
There are state requirements that SSMS MUST follow, if you would remind your child and
reinforce these things at home it would be helpful!

Students only have two options when they finish the test: read or rest.
WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND THAT STUDENTS DOUBLE CHECK THEIR WORK
BEFORE THEY TURN IN THEIR TEST. Testing takes 4 hours, no matter what. Most students
finish well before the 4 hours are up……..they might as well double check their answers before
they turn in that test! Any talking/visiting during the test is prohibited and will be grounds for
disciplinary action.

Cell phones and electronic devices must be surrendered to the teacher (THIS IS A
STATE REQUIREMENT) before testing materials are distributed. It is NOT OK for a
student to ignore this directive and leave their phone in their pocket or bag; the device
must be kept in the teacher’s possession until testing is over. Students who do not
surrender electronic items are subject to disciplinary action. Teachers label the items and
put them in a safe place. Items are returned to the student after ALL testing is complete.
The information in this letter applies to all of our upcoming testing dates (listed below):
April 20:
8th grade math STAAR
April 21:
6th and 7th grade math STAAR
8th grade social studies STAAR
April 22:
6th and 7th grade reading STAAR
8th grade science STAAR
May 5:
8th grade Algebra End of Course Exam
As always, if you have questions or concerns, please give us a call.
Your support shows and is appreciated! SSMS is the best!
Jena Williams, Principal
[email protected]