Farnsley Families,

As we approach the final stretch of the school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and support. It’s hard to believe we are already in the final weeks, and I couldn’t be more proud of the growth, resilience, and hard work our students have shown this year.

KSA testing begins on MAY 6th and it’s an important time for students to demonstrate all that they’ve learned. These assessments give us valuable insights into their academic progress and help inform how we can best support them moving forward. Please help us by ensuring your child gets plenty of rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives to school on time each day. Encouragement and a positive mindset at home make a huge difference.

As we near the finish line, we want to remind everyone of the importance of staying focused—both academically and behaviorally. These last few weeks are not only critical for assessments, but also for wrapping up classwork, final projects, and preparing for the transition to the next grade level. We are encouraging all students to finish strong and demonstrate the responsibility, kindness, and effort that we know they are capable of.

I ask for your continued support in reinforcing high expectations at home, so that together we can help our students end the year with pride and purpose.

Thank you again for being such a vital part of our school community. Let’s make these final weeks meaningful, productive, and successful for every student.

With appreciation,
Carolyn B. Smith
Principal, Farnsley Middle School

Dear Families,
As we enter testing season, here are some tips to help your middle schooler feel confident, focused, and ready to succeed:

1. Prioritize Sleep
A well-rested brain is a ready brain! Encourage your child to get 8–10 hours of sleep the night before each test.

2. Eat a Healthy Breakfast
Fueling up with a balanced breakfast (with protein and whole grains) helps with focus and energy during testing.

3. Arrive on Time
Being on time prevents your child from feeling rushed or anxious before the test begins. Aim to arrive a few minutes early. School starts at 8:40 and testing will begin at 8:50AM.

4. Stay Positive
Encourage your child with phrases like “Just do your best,” “You’ve got this,” or “Show what you know!” A positive mindset can reduce test anxiety.

5. Bring the Right Supplies
Make sure your child has pencils, a Wildcat Reader, and any materials allowed by the teacher. ALL Technology (cell phones, smart watches, iPads, etc..) must be in the student's locker during testing.

6. Listen Carefully to Directions
Remind your child to pay close attention to instructions before starting the test—and to ask questions if something is unclear.

7. Take Your Time (But Watch the Clock!)
Encourage your student to pace themselves, check their work, and not rush. They should answer every question, even if they need to come back to it.

8. Use Strategies They’ve Practiced
Remind your child to use test-taking strategies taught in class—like eliminating wrong answers, underlining keywords, or annotating reading passages.

9. Stay Calm
If your child feels stuck or overwhelmed, remind them to pause, take a deep breath, and keep going. One tricky question doesn’t define their whole performance.

10. Celebrate the Effort!
Recognize your child’s hard work—no matter the outcome. A little praise and encouragement go a long way.

With your support and encouragement, your child will feel ready to show what they’ve learned. Thank you for helping us make this testing season a success!