State Testing Letter From BMHS Principal Sullivan

Dear Families of Berlin Middle/High School Students,

While NYS Board of Regents has applied for a waiver to cancel the 3-8 NYS Assessments in ELA, Math, and Science, that waiver has currently not been approved and students will be expected to take these exams in-person here at Berlin Middle/High School. The intent of this letter is to inform you of those changes and to explain how this will impact the school calendar for the entire Berlin Middle/High School building during the weeks that those tests occur. Please know that if guidance changes, this plan may need to be reevaluated.

Rather than the usual two days of testing in each subject, each test will be shortened to only one day. Only the first session of the ELA exam and Math exam will be administered, and only the written portion (not the performance tests) will be given in Science.

All exams will be given in-person. All students in grades 6-8 will have access to transportation and breakfast regardless of Green, Yellow, or Remote teams. Specific drop-off, pick-up, and arrival times will be forthcoming. Students who are currently fully remote will be given the opportunity to use a separate entrance and exit (BMHS Cafeteria doors) with a single-flow of traffic in and out of the building to minimize contact with any other cohort of student(s). NYS has made it clear that students who are fully remote are not expected to test, but we will give all students the opportunity to test in order to measure skills and learning.

If you are a parent of a fully remote student, please take the survey previously sent out so that we know what to expect on the day of each test. If you are a parent of a hybrid or fully in-person student, the testing dates are normal attendance days for your child. If your child will refuse testing, please indicate that intention in writing to Principal Jodi Sullivan no later than April 14, 2021 by emailing Ms. Amie Decker, Secretary to the Principal (adecker@berlincentral.org).

If you are a parent of a Berlin High School Student, seeking answers regarding Regents Testing this is what we know right now; The New York State Board of Regents has announced that certain Regents Examinations will be given this June. Those exams are: English Language Arts, Algebra 1, Living Environment, and Earth Science. More information about June Regents Exams will be forthcoming as we receive further guidance.

Thank you for your time and partnership. Please reach out to the Berlin Middle/High School Main Office if you have questions (518) 658-1500.

Sincerely,
Jodi R. Sullivan
Principal, Berlin Middle/High School

REMOTE STUDENT ONLY BMHS – NYS Testing Survey 2021
BMHS Calendar Updates Due to NYS 6–8 Testing
PDF of Principal Sullivan’s Testing Letter for BMHS Families

 

 

State Testing Letter From BES Principal Kent

Dear Families of Berlin Elementary Students, 

Unlike last year, students in New York State will have to take the state assessments for the 2020-2021 school year. 

Earlier this year, the New York State Board of Regents petitioned the federal Department of Education for a waiver to cancel Grades 3-8 Math, English Language Arts Exams, as well as the Grades 4 and 8 Science exams. That waiver has not been approved, and students will be expected to take these assessments. 

While students will have to take the state assessments, there will be some changes this year. Only the first session of the Grades 3-8 Math and ELA exam will be administered instead of two sessions. Only the written portion of the Grades 4  Science exam will be administered while the performance test will not be given. Testing sessions will not be timed, and students will have as much time as needed to complete the session. 

Please be aware that the New York State Education Department has stated that it will not be possible to administer any state assessments remotely this year. All exams will be administered in-person. Students who have opted to learn in a fully remote environment will not be expected to participate, though they will have the option of attending in-person to complete the assessments. A survey has been sent via email to all remote families to indicate their intentions for testing. 

Berlin Elementary Testing Schedule 
Assessment  Date Given
English Language Arts  Tuesday, April 20th for in-person students

Wednesday, April 21st for remote students  

Math  Tuesday, May 4th for in-person students

Wednesday, May 5th for remote students  

Science 4 – Written Exam  Tuesday, June 8th for in-person students 

Wednesday, June 9th for remote students 

 

Thank you for your time and attention to this information. Please feel free to reach me at tkent@berlincentral.org with any questions. 

Sincerely, 

Tracy Kent

REMOTE STUDENT ONLY BES – NYS Testing Survey 2021
PDF of BES Principal Kent’s State Testing Letter