Message from the Principal

Connie J. Jones

Message from the Principal

Help children prepare.  Be sure they have the supplies and the skills they need.

     -Standardized tests are a fact of life for America's school children.  Here is some important information that will help them and you survive and succeed during testing time.

✎Get Familiar:  Ask your child's teacher if the school gives, or can send home practice tests similar in format to the test your child will be taking.  Knowing the format and seeing the types of questions that will be asked could help build your child's confidence.  You can also find these on the web site, www.mdk12.org.

✎Encourage, No Pressure:  Encourage your children to do their best, but avoid putting on the pressure.  Too much pressure can couse test anxiety and lead to worse, not better scores.  Understand that standardized tests are just one way schools measure a child's ability, family's interests and reading abilities.

There is only ONE right answer.  REREAD to be sure.

✎Give them "brain food":  Give your child(ren) a healthy breakfast the morning of the big test and remember that good nutrition fuels brains year-round.  Food high in fat or sugar doesn't provide the nutrition children need to do their best.

AIM HIGH!  Build their confidence!

✎Put them to bed:  Is your child getting enough sleep?  Teachers are becoming more and more concerned about the number of children who are falling asleep in class.  According to an article in "Vitality" magazine, many parents do not connect the amount and quality of their child's sleep to their poor performance in school or their misbehavior.  Sleep experts agree that good, sound sleep is critical to a "child's physical and mental health."  The experts also maintain...the age of the child is important in determining how much sleep your child needs.  Preschoolers need 11 to 12 hours of sleep a night, elementary-aged children need at least 10 hours.  Sleepy children have a tough time succeeding academically.  It is difficult to focus when you have not had adequate rest.  It's particularly important for your child to get a good night's sleep the night before a big test.  Sufficient sleep promotes academic success.

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