Anderson Middle holds pep rally to prepare for LEAP testing this week

Published 5:00 am Monday, April 9, 2018

Students at Anderson Middle School were encouraged to let go of any LEAP test jitters with a special pep rally that took place Friday.

Anderson Middle School Curriculum Coordinator Zachary Mitchell Jr. coordinated the effort, and thought it would be a fun way to get in some testing reminders before the computer based exam is administered at their school today. 

“We held this pep rally just to make sure students are aware of things that are upcoming for the test, to have a little fun and relieve a little tension,” Mitchell said.

Students filled Anderson’s gym Friday and participated in games like scooter races, basketball competitions and games based on testing info like one titled “smart cookie” to keep their minds  sharp. 

Students played the games in pairs with one student answering the questions which earned his or her partner a number of chances to balance an Oreo cookie on their face and get it to their mouth without using their hands.

“One of the games (smart cookie) the students will have to solve a curriculum related problem not to overburden them, but you can’t get away from curriculum,” Mitchell said.

LEAP testing begins this week for several schools in Iberia, St. Mary and St. Martin parishes. The state provides a window of time for the majority computer based tests to be given. According to Iberia Parish officials, schools may then choose which dates in that window they would like to administer the tests. 

Jennie Foster, Iberia Parish’s Supervisor of Testing Evaluation and System Accountability, said that the window for fifth through eighth graders in Iberia Parish is April 9th through May 4th.  

“Not all students will be testing at the same time,” Foster said. “Third and fourth grade LEAP test is very specific. They will test on April 30th – May 4th on paper.” 

The testing supervisor also stated that high schoolers will be testing from April 23rd to May 18th.

Volunteers from Anderson’s parent academy were on hand to help out with games. They have advice for other parents when sending their children to school this week. 

“Have them go to sleep early, wake up to a good breakfast with orange juice, go over notes from last year, and no confrontations,” said Keralyn Jacob, whose children Kailey and Kyzin attend 7th and 8th grade at Anderson respectively.

Students taking part in Friday’s event said they are ready to take the test.

“I feel prepared,” 7th grader Joshua Allen said. “You just have to come in with the right mindset. I take practice tests on computer and listen in class. I’m ready,” 

His classmate Kailey Jacob was feeling pretty confident as well. 

“I feel like I’m prepared and I’m going to ace it, and using the computer is easier than writing things down,” Jacob said. 

Mitchell said that this is a year of high stakes testing for eighth graders as their test performance determines whether or not they can advance to the ninth grade. He stated students will be testing on an average of 90 minutes per day. Foster said most tests usually last for about a week.