Post-CMT testing fun

Remember taking standardized tests? Me neither, for the most part, but I do still sweat when I envision (and I can see every desk and window in the classroom) walking in to take my ACT. I was a good student with excellent grades, so imagine what must be running through the minds of students who've never gotten good grades, who might have never been told they are smart, and who possibly have not even taken one of these tests in the past?

Stress. Lots of stress. School for young people like that is stressful enough, and unfortunately, many also have out-of-school stress to deal with: family life, neighborhood issues, health issues, and more. Too much for a young adolescent to take.

Fortunately, Domus Academy is staffed with people who understand very well stress and what we can do to minimize its negative effects. That's important during CMT time; even though over 60% of our students are special education, everyone takes the test. Everyone. Kids who haven't taken it before or haven't taken it in years. Kids who've just witnessed violence and are dealing with that stress. Kids who are hungry and struggle to focus. Everyone.

So Ms. Bauman, our art teacher, ensures the kids have hands-on, engaging, and interesting  activities ready to go after testing, when emotions are running high. Relief! Anxiety about my results! Fear of another bad grade! It piles up, but this year's activity of making masks had all the kids fully engaged. Plus it was a facial sensation most had never experienced. Every student I saw on Wednesday was loving the activity.

We're lucky to have problem solvers who give our kids just what they need when they need it.

The annual Domus Academy/Trailblazers Academy Hoops Matchup

It's our new favorite tradition: Domus Academy hoopsters truck down to Stamford to take on the other Domus middle School, Trailblazers Academy, in a competitive but fun game. This year, DA took the JV game by 4 points but lost the varsity match. Post-game pizza gives everyone a chance to share favorite moves and moments and get to know each other. Check out the picture album from today's well-played games. Congrats to all, and many thanks to the staff members from both schools who came to cheer everyone on--even a large New Haven contingent, despite the commute home!