[Gary Dillard]

Now that the Florida regional dates have been selected, it appears that we may actually be able to avoid a conflict with FCAT testing for once, but you will need to communicate with your local school district NOW. According to the FCAT website, testing days are March 11 through 24. The FCAT schedule has Grade 9 and 10 reading on Day 1, Grade 9 and 10 math on Day 2, and each district gets to choose the Grade 11 science day between Days 1, 2 or 3. If your district sets the science test either day 1 or day 2, you will not have any conflict since all students will be done with testing before the 13th. Otherwise you will have students who cannot attend the Thursday practice day because of science FCAT (which is ludicrous but it seems to happen every year). I suggest everyone communicate with their local school board and see if you can influence the date.