Dear Caregivers,

Next week is our second round of MCAS testing for students in grades 3-8. We know that this can be anxiety producing for many students, however, we know they are capable and have the knowledge they need to be successful. Tests of this nature don’t tell us everything we need to know about a student or school. It provides a snapshot in time. Although it is a snapshot, it reflects the progress your child has made and our school as a whole. For this reason, it is important that students put forth their best effort and apply the many skills and strategies taught to them through the years. 

It is very important that students be present for testing and arrive at school on time. We encourage families to avoid making appointments or dismissing students early on testing days. 

Helpful tips to support your learner:

* Have them get plenty of rest the night before (aim for 8 hours!)

* Remind them to eat before school, or grab a breakfast when they enter in the morning.

* Reinforce that there will be questions that they will know right away (easy) and some they will need to work through (challenging) and that is 100% normal with any test. 

* Let them hear from you that they are smart, capable and prepared for success!

If you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s Head of School

Brianne Padden – grade 3

Tina DeVito- grades 4-8

Applications are now available until June 3^rd for our Late Lottery. Completed applications will be placed on our already existing waitlist created in March. If you have a child that will be five by August 31, 2022 or you know someone that does, please go to learningfirstcharter.org/admissions and complete an online application.

Reminders from the School Nurse: The nurse is looking for gently used uniforms donations. If you have any pants and/ or shirts that your child does not fit any longer and are in good condition, please send them in.

This is a reminder to Learning First families participating in the at home COVID-19 testing, to test on Tuesday night and if positive to contact the school nurse on Wednesday morning.

This week we had 2 cases of Covid-19 in our school.  If your student was a close contact then you were notified by the school nurse. It is not required for your child to receive a Covid-19 vaccine, however if your child has had it and you are willing to let us know it would be appreciated and helpful in cases when we need to do contact tracing.

Stay healthy! ~Nurse Sarah and Sammy

Guidance (Gr. 6-8): 8th grade families: Please make sure you are checking emails from Mrs. Moore regarding high school choice information and next steps. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact her at: lmoore@learningfirstcharter.org or call x1112. All of the lotteries are complete and applications have been completed for private and Catholic schools as well. If you are unsure of your child’s district public school and how to register, Mrs. Moore will be sending out that information within the coming weeks. 

School Calendar Update for 2021-2022 School Year: Due to the numbers of snow days we had this school year; our last day of school is now June 21, 2022. It will be a half of day. Dismissal will be at 12:30 PM. There will be no school the day before, June 20^th, in observance of Juneteenth.

Community Connections: Celebrate our city trees at the 36^th annual Arbor Day Celebration in Worcester’s University Park located at 965 Main St. on May 1^st from 11:00 AM- 3:00 PM. This is a free event and will have tons of activities such as tree climbing demonstrations, live music, food trucks, artisan vendors, educational workshops and resources and much more!

                Spring Youth Soccer is being held every Saturday night from now until June 18, 2022 at Dr. Arthur and Dr. Martha Pappas Recreation Complex located at 203.5 Pakachoag St. Auburn, MA. Girls ages 8, 9, 10 6:00-7:00 PM; Girls ages 11, 12, 13 8:00-9:00 PM; Boys ages 8, 9, 10 7:00-8:00 PM; Boys ages 11, 12 13 on Sunday’s from 5:00-6:00 PM. There is a fee for this. Please call or text Kwame at (774) 823-8193 for pricing and more information.

                TLK Sports is hosting Volley Ball Sundays from 12:00-3:00 PM for boys and girls in grades 7, 8 & 9 at 65 Boys and Girls Club Way, Worcester. The cost is $15.00 per session. Sessions will be held on May 1, 8, 15, 22 and June 12. Please contact tlksportsllc@gmail.com to register and for more information.

                TLK Sports is hosting Field Hockey clinics and skill training with Holy Cross Women’s Field Hockey players. This is for boys and girls in grades K-8 of all skill levels and will be held at 65 Boys and Girls Club Way, Way on Saturdays, April 30, May 7, 14, 21 and June 4, 11, 18. The stations will include speed & agility- passing/ receiving- ball control- team & individual drills, scrimmages, 1 on 1, 3 on 3. The cost is $95.00 for all classes. Contact tlksportsllc@gmail.com or call (774)243-7373 to register and/ or for more information.

Reminder: School Hours for the 2022-2023 school year will change to 7:30 AM- 2:30 PM Monday through Friday.

May 2-3: Grades 3-8 Math MCAS Testing

May 4-5: MCAS Make-Ups

May 16-17: Grades 5 & 8 STE MCAS Testing

May 18-19: MCAS Make-Ups

May 27: National Junior Honor Society Ceremony

June 3: Science Fair

June 10: Grade 8 Last Day

June 13-17: Kindergarten Screening

June 20: No School

June 21: Last Day of School (Dismissal 12:30 PM)