4/16/2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As you are aware, your child is taking the WASL (4/11/08 – 4/25/08), a high-stakes state assessment of student learning. You were mailed a postcard right before spring break that outlined the parameters and expectations for WASL. However on the first day of the WASL, we encountered a problem that could have caused a breach of the WASL policy that would have resulted in student tests being invalidated. The breach was having cell phones on students and around the tests. In one class alone, five cell phones were confiscated due to a phone ringing and upon investigation we found students had been texting. This resulted in our having to report the abnormality to the district assessment coordinator who had to come and interview the students and the teacher and write a report that will go to the state. We were fortunate that the tests were not invalidated.

The reason for the no cell phone policy is that students might take pictures of the test and send them to other students, not only in our school but across the state as this is a state-wide assessment. They might also transmit answers and can be a distraction for those students who trying their best on the test.

In order to prevent further issues, students today were instructed by me, the principal, via the intercom to go to their lockers during passing period and put their cell phones in their locker, which is CJH school policy anyway, and turn their pockets inside out before reporting to their test taking classroom. We did not nor do we want to do a search of students.

It is my hope and desire to gain your support in this matter and instruct your child to keep the cell phone, as well as other electronics, in his/her locker as stated in our regular school policy.

If you have any comments or concerns, please contact me at (253)683-7589. I thank you in advance for your support.

Yours in learning,

Cheryl A. Barnett,

Principal