Dear Upper School Parents & Students, 

The annual PSAT/NMSQT/SAT digital exam administration is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7. Please carefully review the details outlined below–each student’s successful exam experience is dependent on their digital readiness. 

Technical Preparation 

• Each grade level will meet with Ms. Wesneski next week (during MAC) to complete digital readiness preparation on the personal device they will use for testing. Students may only test on a Windows or Mac laptop or tablet. 
• To prepare, we are asking families to take a moment this weekend to check the following on their student's device:
  • Students must download the Bluebook testing application from the Apple/Google Store. **This might mean temporarily changing parental permissions.**
  • Settings that will allow Bluebook to auto-update should be enabled.
  • Please disable any screen time limitations or other controls that could interfere with student testing on October 7.

Test Day Logistics

• Every student in grades 9-11, plus any seniors taking the SAT, should arrive by 8:15 AM on Tuesday, October 7. Testing will begin promptly at 8:30 AM.
• Seniors who are NOT taking the SAT will participate in a college application workshop in the library from 8:30 - 11:00 AM. 
• Standard testing will conclude around 11:00 AM. Students with College Board extended time accommodations will conclude around 12:15 PM. 
• Once finished with their test, Upper Schoolers will be dismissed for the remainder of the day. While afternoon classes will not meet, Upper School teachers will hold Office Hours for any student who wishes to seek extra help or make up work. Quarter 1 ends on Thursday, October 9, so this is an intentionally well-timed opportunity for students. 
• Please fill out this short Google form to let us know your student's lunch plans for Tuesday, Oct. 7, so that Griffins Table can prepare accordingly. 

Please reach out to Ms. Wesneski with any questions that you might have about the PSAT/NMSQT/SAT. 

In other news, this week was the final week with our guest students from Germany. Their visiting experience included a presentation component, with assorted topics such as their school, Bavarian cuisine, and their hometown. Upper Schoolers were delighted to learn about the customs and traditions of our visiting friends. We wish them all the best as they return home to Germany!

Looking forward, here’s what’s on the horizon for the division:

• Saturday, September 27
  • Empty Bowls Community Bowl Making from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM in Dent Gallery
• Sunday, September 28
  • SAT Prep from 1:00 - 3:00 PM in the Seminar Room
  • Parents’ Community Fall Festival from 3:00 - 5:30 PM at Pennell Field
• Thursday, October 2
  • Upper School Movie Night from 7:00 - 9:00 PM in Dorrance Plaza
• Sunday, October 5
  • SAT Prep from 1:00 - 3:00 PM in the Seminar Room
• Tuesday, October 7
  • PSAT/NMSQT/SAT Exam Administration @ 8:30 AM. Students will be dismissed after they complete their exam. 
• Thursday, October 9
  • End of Quarter 1
• Friday, October 10 - Monday, October 13
  • Fall Break–No School!

As always, please check the athletic team calendars for the most up-to-date information. In addition to the College Fair @ USC Upstate, College Representatives will continue to visit our campus next week. Demonstrated interest is an important metric in the collegiate admissions process, so students should be sure to connect with representatives of interest when possible. 

I hope that everyone has a lovely weekend! Go Griffins!

Warmly, 

Jenny Glenn
Head of Upper School