I hope it doesn't snow and mess up the testing there, Mary Anne.
We have the MCAS tests here in Massachusetts. The kids take them in 4th, 8th, and 10th grades and they MUST pass them or they don't graduate. I live in a small affluent town that places a high emphasis on education and isn't afraid to fund it, and we've had 100% of our students pass these tests each year. Our public schools are on par with most private schools. When we moved here to MA 6.5 years ago, I really liked what I found out when I did research on the town's approach and attitude on education and other issues. Since I was moving in from another state I wasn't at all familiar with this area and it helped to ask a lot of people here what their opinions were. (Sorry for rambling....I just had 2 cups of coffee with lunch. LOL)
But speaking of tests, we just got back from picking up DS12 from taking the SATs this morning. He qualified for the Johns Hopkins program due to his MCAS scores (top 10%). DS said it wasn't as hard as he thought it would be. I did part of the practice test with him last week and I thought that was pretty hard. LOL This was a no-stress way to get introduced to the SATs, and he doesn't stress out over tests anyway. DH and I took him out to lunch afterwards

DS15 is in Boston for the day with some friends, and now I'm hoping to relax for the rest of the day.
Some friends of mine were getting together this afternoon for High Tea in honor of a friend we have visiting from Japan but I just didn't get back home in time to get ready to go, and I have a slight headache which I'm hoping will go away. I just lit a buttercream scented candle and I'm looking forward to a little DIS time
Again, sorry for the long post!!

I hope everyone is doing well, and is having a good weekend
