The MILLS UNIVERSITY STUDIES HIGH basketball team is making the rounds this week for some well-deserved recognition! On Tuesday, the boys' team and coaches were recognized at the PCSSD Board of Education meeting. Then, on Wednesday, the boys' and girls' teams visited the Arkansas Capitol. Senator Jamie Scott recognized the teams on the Senate floor for their hard work and accomplishments this season. Let's go, Comets!!
Ms. Foote's 10th grade English classes have been demonstrating what they know about point of view this week using their white board paddles. After reading a sample text, the students had to determine if it was first or third person point of view and whether it was limited or omniscient. Yes, this is part of prepping for ATLAS testing, but it is also just great instruction! #ElevatingExcellence
Good morning. Due the current inclement weather and the projection of it worsening, the Mills Comets Military Ball is canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date.
Are you ready to fill every shelf in PCSSD classrooms? Starting now, every donation for books on @Donorschoose will be doubled, while funds last. 📚 Let’s help our students explore the world through the page-turning magic of books. https://bit.ly/4iNpooJ
For National Assistant Principals Week, we’re celebrating the leadership & dedication of our APs! Your hard work & commitment make a daily difference. Thank you for serving our students and staff. Today, let’s give a shout out to the APs of the MILLS feeder. #pcssdproud #serveall
On National Student-Athlete Day, we celebrate our goal-setter and go-getter athletes who work hard in the classroom and on the field (or ... court, track, mat, pool, pitch...). Keep up the hard work and continue set the standard for excellence! #pcssdproud #serveall
The PCSSD school-based health clinic is a convenient choice for families seeking medical & behavioral health care for kids during school hours. Every student & staff member can access to quality & compassionate care. Learn more: https://youtu.be/5DGxEld6uts #pcssdproud #serveall
Chart Your Career Course with PCSSD and join us at the 2025 PCSSD Career Expo!
Details:
🗓️ May 3 | 9 a.m. -12 p.m.
📍Mills University Studies High School | 708 E. Dixon Road, Little Rock
Learn more: https://trst.in/29V0ik
#pcssdproud #serveall
Every year, students take state-mandated tests, and this year is no different. On the ATLAS assessment, we just want our students to show what they know!
The reading test is given to the 9th and 10th graders, and they will have multiple choice and short answer questions after reading different types of passages like fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or other genres.
The writing test - also for 9th and 10th graders - may ask students to read texts and write a full essay or they may just have an essay prompt with no reading portion. Those essays may be narrative, argumentative, or informative.
The Algebra I, geometry, and biology tests can have multiple choice, constructed response, and even click-and-drop.
No matter what the test is asking, we just want students to show how much they've learned this year and how successful they have become as learners!
#ElevatingExcellence #ShowWhatYouKnow #ShowUpAndShowOut
Yesterday we posted about no cell phones during testing. Additionally, students cannot have any electronic devices AT ALL in test sessions. So, this includes earbuds, headphones, smart watches, tablets, or anything electronic. These devices should either stay home or be kept in the backpacks that will be left in the hallways outside the testing rooms on test days.
Like cell phones, having these devices in the test rooms is a violation of state and district rules. Students will receive disciplinary consequences if they have any items with them during the test sessions.
We appreciate everyone helping us make this a violation-free testing season!
During state testing, it is a violation of state and district rules for students to have cell phones in the room at all during the administration of the ATLAS. So, we ask that students place their phones in a tub which teachers will place in a secure location until the testing sessions end.
Keep in mind our student handbook states the following:
"Electronic devices, electronic communication devices, and/or electronic devices with
photographic capabilities confiscated during interim, summative, and state mandated tests will
be held at the school for 10 student contact days from the time of the incident.
Additional violations shall result in loss of phone privilege for the remainder of the school year." (pg. 72)
Students will receive disciplinary consequences for such behavior. Depending on the situation, the most severe consequence can be a recommendation for expulsion.
So, NO PHONES during testing. We appreciate everyone following this expectation!
Last week we shared lots of test-related suggestions for things to do BEFORE taking the state test each day. This week, we will share those ideas that help DURING testing! First up, students should use their time wisely when testing.
The ATLAS tests are set for 60-75 minutes, but all students are allowed extra time if needed. However, once a test has paused and students resume that session, they may not go back to any previous questions.
With this in mind, students need to move in such a way that they aren't going too fast or too slow while testing. Students should read questions carefully, consider the answers, and move at an appropriate pace to be as successful as possible on the test.
#ElevatingExcellence #ShowUpAndShowOut
Eating breakfast, especially on ATLAS days, is very important! It helps students focus on testing and not on being hungry. It helps students have the energy and fuel they need to make it through the day. Plus, eating a healthy breakfast has long-term benefits including better memory, healthier body weight, and decreased chances of diseases later in life.
Each day at Mills University Studies High School we provide both a hot breakfast and a grab-and-go breakfast. We strongly encourage our students to eat breakfast daily including on our upcoming testing days!
#ElevatingExcellence #BreakfastMatters #ShowUpAndShowOut
April is School Library Month, the perfect time to show our Teacher Librarians some love! They support our students in so many ways, from hosting book fairs and sponsoring clubs to encouraging a love of reading. Today we celebrate TLs from our Mills Feeder. #pcssdproud #serveall
Paraprofessionals wear many hats in PCSSD, from supporting classes to assisting with special education. On Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, we say thanks for their daily dedication. If a parapro has impacted your student, take a moment to thank them below. #pcssdproud #serveall
World Autism Awareness Day is a chance to celebrate students with autism while fostering acceptance & inclusion.
“The role of a teacher is to ignite a spark in a student’s mind, but you have to know what kind of spark you’re dealing with.” – Temple Grandin. #pcssdproud #serveall
We've all heard students should "get a good night's sleep" before testing. This is good advice for sure, but even more important is getting good sleep REGULARLY. Research has proven that teenagers need 9-10 hours of sleep a night, and screen time is negatively affecting sleep habits and even the quality of sleep once a teen has dozed off.
So, every day, we want students to get good sleep, but especially during state testing when we need those brains to be rested, ready, and raring to go!
#ElevatingExcellence #SleepForSucess #ShowUpAndShowOut
With ATLAS testing coming up beginning April 15th, it is so important that students have their Chromebooks charged BEFORE they come to school. So, set an alarm or a reminder on your phone, put a sticky note on the fridge, or whatever works to help students remember to charge those devices!
#ElevatingExcellence #ChargeThoseDevices #ShowUpAndShowOut
Our ATLAS testing begins April 15th, and we get started at 8:30 each day. It's so important to be ON TIME for these days because once a test has begun, students cannot enter the testing session and will have to do make-up sessions instead.
Please set those alarms - or even double alarms - to get up and ready for school. Our goal is 100% of our tested students will be on campus ON TIME for test days. We can do it!
#ElevatingExcellence #ShowUpAndShowOut #OnTimeForTesting
Do you know one of the most important characteristics of a successful student? They are at school and rarely miss! This has proven to help students achieve academically, and during testing, it's even more important.
Beginning Tuesday, April 15th, we need every student at school so that they can begin their ATLAS state testing on time. Our goal is 100% attendance for the testing groups. So, on the 15th and 16th, that would include our freshmen and sophomores. On the following days, it will be students who are taking Algebra I, geometry, and/or biology.
Let's be here and let's be great!
#ElevatingExcellence #ShowUpAndShowOut
