Helpie FAQ

The Meyer Levin School for the Performing Art
INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL 285

“Excellence Without Excuses”

5909 Beverly Road, Brooklyn NY 11203

P: (718) 451-2200 F: (718) 451-0229

Jamie Hendrickson, Principal
jhendrickson@schools.nyc.gov
Gauntlett Mighty, Asst. Principal
gmighty@schools.nyc.gov
Sybil Schloss, Asst. Principal
sschloss3@schools.nyc.gov

As we head into the spring, I know many of you have questions about standardized testing. In a typical year, State exams would be administered to nearly all students in their physical classroom. This year, many of our students are learning remotely, but the New York State Education Department (NYSED) has required that exams must still take place in-person, in the school building. It will not be possible to administer state exams remotely. Therefore, we are contacting you to determine if you would like your child to participate in this year’s State exams.

It is very important you let us know if you would like your student to participate in this year’s State exams so that we can prepare and create a testing schedule that ensures the health and safety of all of our students. Please read on for more information about this year’s exams.

What State exams will be administered in the school building?

The Grades 3–8 English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics exams, and the Grades 4 and 8 Science exams, will only be administered in your child’s school building. All schools will adhere to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Visit schools.nyc.gov/RTShealthsafety to learn more.

How will you keep my student safe during in-person test administration?

Health and safety are our first priorities. We are asking for you to sign up so we can create testing schedules and room assignments that allow for social distancing protocols.

How do I sign up for the exams?

If you would like your child to participate in this year’s State exams, please complete the Google form by Wednesday, April 14, 2021.  https://forms.gle/FJe1k43Pwfych9c67

 

Please be reminded, if we do not hear back from you by Wednesday, April 14, 2021, your child will not participate in state testing.

If my student is already learning in the building, do I still need to sign up for the exams?

Yes. You must let us know by completing the Google form below, by Wednesday, April 14, 2021 if you would like your child to take State exams, whether they are learning in-person or remotely.

https://forms.gle/FJe1k43Pwfych9c67

My student is fully-remote. Are they expected to come in to take the exams?

No. Students receiving fully remote instruction are not expected to come to school to take the State exams. However, if you would like your student to take the exam, they can be included—just notify us using the contact information above.

If my student does not take the exams, will they be penalized?

No. Any student who does not participate in the 2021 NYS ELA, Math, or Science exams will not be penalized.

When are the exams?

The exams will be administered within the following dates:

• English Language Arts for grades 3 through 8: April 19–29, 2021
• Mathematics for grades 3 through 8: May 3–14, 2021
• Science for grades 4 and 8: June 7–11, 2021

Testing will not occur on May 13, when schools are closed for Eid Al-Fitr. We will share the scheduled testing date for your child prior to the start of testing window.

If I don’t sign up, what will my child do while their classmates are taking the exam?

Students receiving in-person instruction who do not take the exam will continue their instructional program, as will fully remote students.

Are the exams different this year?

Yes. This year, the ELA and Mathematics exams for grades 3 through 8 will be multiple-choice only. The Science exams for grades 4 and 8 will consist only of questions that are multiple-choice or require a short, written answer.  The tests are untimed, but most students will complete the tests in 55 to 90 minutes.

I have more questions. How can I learn more?

The DOE has created a Parent Guide to address commonly asked questions about the administration of the Grades 3–8 ELA and Mathematics and Grades 4 and 8 Science exams in the 2020-21 school year. You can also always reach out to {718-451-2200 Ext 2091 or 3292} with any questions or concerns. We are here to help.

We appreciate your collaboration and flexibility as we continually work to ensure a strong, supportive education for your child and every student in our school community.

Sincerely,
The Meyer Levin Testing Committee

How Will My Child Learn at Home?

Whether learning remotely from home part of the week or every day, students will receive remote instruction in two different ways: live interaction (sometimes referred to as “synchronous instruction”) with teachers, and independent learning (sometimes referred to as “asynchronous instruction”), which includes assignments, projects, or recorded video lessons. Let us explain what that means:

Live interaction means that your student will interact with their teacher on video, phone, live chat, virtual app, or another digital mode in real time. The teacher may be interacting with the whole class, small groups, or individual students. It can be done over Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, or other DOE-approved video or phone conferencing or digital platforms. It includes:

• Class Lessons;
• Office Hours to connecting in real time with teachers to get individual or small group help with instruction or instructional activities;
• Social-emotional wellness activities such as sharing circles or mindfulness exercises; or
• Feedback discussions with students and families about their work and progress via video or phone.
• Other “live participation” activities, such as chat, offered by the digital platform used by educators during lessons.

At the beginning of the school year, here are the target amounts we are asking all schools to engage their students in live interaction and instruction each day:

• Students in 3-K and Pre-K programs: up to 30 minutes
• Students in kindergarten through grade 2: 65 to 95 minutes
• Students in grades 3–5: 90 to 110 minutes
• Middle school students in grades 6–8: 80 to 100 minutes
• High school students in grades 9–12: 100 to 120 minutes

The amount of time devoted to live instruction will increase each month for all grades as the school year progresses to allow students and teachers to gradually transition. Scheduled times will be posted so that students and staff alike can plan for engagement.

Independent learning means your student will work on their own with assignments, projects, and materials provided by their teachers. This might include:

• Video lessons or presentations recorded previously
• Activities, assignments or tasks that build on lessons from previous days
• Collaborative projects and assignments with classmates
• Discussion boards and conversation, feedback, or guidance from teachers over email

Who Will Be Teaching My Child?

Your child will have a high-quality educator leading their education, no matter where they’re learning. Instruction may look a little bit different in every school, reflecting the specific needs of the school community, but here is what you can generally expect:

For Students in Blended Learning

Blended learning refers to a combination of on-site, in-person instruction at the school some days of the week, and remote instruction at home on remaining days.

Your child may have different teachers for on-site and remote learning. Those teachers will work closely together in pairs or teams to create meaningful and connected learning experiences. For example, a student may begin a project in person and then continue to work on it while remote.

During the remote portion of blended learning, your child will regularly be with the same group of students with whom they attend in person.

For Students in Full-Time Remote Learning

Where possible, students engaging in full-time remote learning will be taught by teachers from their own school. Teachers will regularly meet with the same group of students on specific days.

How to Stay Informed on Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Your School Community

It’s important that your school can reach you to share crucial information quickly, including alerts about confirmed COVID-19 cases in your child’s school. Please sign up for a NYC Schools Account (NYCSA) so we can contact you via phone, email, or text message. With NYCSA, you can access your child’s grades, test scores, schedules, transportation information, and more—from anywhere, and in all nine standard DOE language translations.

If you don’t have an account,sign up today. It only takes five minutes!