DNE students kick-off state testing with rally

Sterling Yang and Jordan Johnson acted out the importance of eating a healthy breakfast in a skit titled “The Angry Stomach” during Monday’s pep rally at the Decatur Northside Elementary School. The pep rally was held to get students ready for the “big test” and included two skits, songs and cheers.
Sterling Yang and Jordan Johnson acted out the importance of eating a healthy breakfast in a skit titled “The Angry Stomach” during Monday’s pep rally at the Decatur Northside Elementary School. The pep rally was held to get students ready for the “big test” and included two skits, songs and cheers.

— Students at Decatur Northside Elementary School kicked off two weeks of state standardized testing with a pep rally on Monday afternoon.

The pep rally - with humorous skits, funny songs and cheers - was designed to give children confidence and teach them skills that will help them do well on the tests.

Students in kindergarten through second grade will be taking IOWA Test of Basic Skills during the morning hours of April 5, 6 and 7. Students in the third through sixth grade will be taking BenchmarkExams during the morning hours of April 11 through 15.

School counselor Maolina Yang asked parents not to schedule any medical appointments for their children on test days to help make sure their students are present for the tests.

Parents can help their children prepare for the tests by making sure they get a good night’s rest the night before and eat a balanced breakfast on the morning of test days, she said.

It is also important for parents to encourage their children to do their best on the tests and make sure they get to school on time on test days, Yang said.

School News, Pages 11 on 04/06/2011