Good afternoon Anza Trail Parents and Families,

I hope that everyone is doing well!

As you may or may not know, we are about to begin the Arizona's Academic Standards Assessment aka AASA testing for our 3rd through 8th graders. In the continued spirit of communication and transparency, I have attached the testing schedule for you and your scholars to review. On that note, I understand that some of our scholars may be experiencing a range of emotions as testing season is on the horizon such as excitement, confidence, nervousness, anxiousness, motivation, etc. This is expected and understandable.

With that said, please rest assured that your scholars teachers are doing everything they can to remind them that they are ready, they are prepared and they can do this! Parents and families, I respectfully ask that when you discuss the upcoming testing sessions with your scholars, to please impress upon them the importance of doing their best, taking their time and to please take every section/portion of the test seriously. As a Principal and as school, we use the data/scores from these tests for professional growth individually and holistically, as we are committed to helping all of our students make growth and gains academically. More specifically, if some students happen to not take the test seriously, there is truly no way for us to gage if your scholars truly grasped and learning the content in that specific area for the school year and for their next grade level. Again, I respectfully ask for your partnership in reminding your scholars of the "why" behind the importance of doing their very best. 

Lastly, if your scholar is displaying or expressing signs of test apathy, and you would assistance dealing with it, please let me know and I would be more than happy to have a non-punitive conversation with them. Sometimes a different and fresh perspective can make all the difference in the world. Also, please see some helpful tips on the schedule to help prepare your scholars for testing day.

As always, I thank you all for your continued partnership and support and have a great rest of your week!

Respectfully,