Letter: Students need support during testing
To the Editor:
Your school district needs your help. Beginning in early March, students of USD 408 will begin taking state assessments. These are very important to our school. With the new "No Child Left Behind" national regulation, now more than ever, schools are focusing on what can be done to help every child be successful.
The Marion-Florence school district has set a goal to meet the standard of excellence set by the state on every test we give at every grade level. We want to be the best school district in the state of Kansas.
Teachers and staff members are trying every way possible to help each child strive to do his/her personal best. We want these tests to be looked on by each child as personally challenging, not just another boring test. All students should set a goal for themselves to improve each year so that our school becomes the one the state talks about as being amazing.
This is where we need your help. The Marion Elementary School Building Improvement Team (MESBIT) has come up with some encouraging ways to help students become more excited and enthused about taking these tests. The school will have a pep assembly March 4 to boost excitement.
Whenever we have a sport team make it to state playoffs, both Marion and Florence back athletes by decorating store windows and giving messages of encouragement. MESBIT is requesting your help in decorating windows with these same messages of encouragement relating to state testing. Samples of messages include "Way to go students," "Let's do our best," "Meet the Standard of Excellence," "Let's go USD 408," and "Marion-Florence students rock." Be creative! Students always are excited to see messages written on store windows.
Another suggestion is for those who may know a student in grades four through 12. Encouraging words always boost one's spirit. Throughout the month of March, feel free to drop a note to a student you know showing your support and encouraging them to do their best. Any time you see a student, let them know you are wishing them your best.
We hope these are some ways we can excite them about state testing. The entire staff of USD 408 would like to thank each of you for all you do for the students of our district. We ask for your support to help us meet the "Standard of Excellence" at every grade level.
The month of March is giving our students a chance to shine. Let's go Marion and Florence, and get these towns rockin' with excitement. Let's stand out above the rest. Decorate away, encourage, and build up the students' self-esteem, and watch the smiles on their faces.
If you have any questions, call us at school or home.
Darla Spencer
MESBIT Member
Laura Baldwin and Lana Fahey,
MESBIT Chairmen
