Selected News

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Every spring, students across Colorado take the standardized tests known as CMAS (Colorado Measures of Academic Success).
These assessments are based on the Colorado Academic Standards and are the expectations of what students need to know and be
able to do at the end of each grade. Computer-based assessments have replaced the traditional pencil and paper tests.
The state assessments will require students to demonstrate the knowledge and skills all students need for the careers of tomorrow,
including the ability to:

• apply math to real-world situations
• critically analyze literature and informational texts
• demonstrate problem-solving techniques

Teachers and families will receive detailed reports, helping them better understand each child’s mastery of the standards. We will
use these assessments as a tool in helping to ensure your child is successful in these critical subjects.

This year we have the ability to take the tests for all grade levels at the same time, which will allow us to make the assessment
times significantly shorter and students will now only take their ELA and Math tests across six days in the morning. Watson
Junior High School will be administering the tests across six days on the mornings of April 6th through April 8th as well as April
13th through April 15th, although dates and times might be subject to change in the event of circumstances out of our control
(weather delays, technology malfunctions, etc.). Students will test during their 5th period classes (6-8th Grade Language Arts, 6-
8th grade Math) and, with the exception of make-ups, will not take more than one test per day. Students in 8th Grade will take the
science test on the mornings of April 9th, April 16th, and April 20th. This school year, WJHS was randomly selected as a Colorado
school that will test 7th Grade students in the area of Social Studies as well. This will include one test taken on Thursday, April 9th
in the afternoon.

There are a few things that you can do to help us through this testing process:

• Ensure that your child has good attendance, especially on testing days. Make ups require even more disruptions to a
• child’s normal school day.
• Provide a good night’s rest and breakfast, especially during the testing window.
• Be sure they come to school with their computers fully charged and their chargers.

Mr. Ross Mishler
Principal