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YCS students reap rewards for achievement-test scores
By Denise Dick
youngstowN
The 74 Youngstown Community School students who passed all parts of the Ohio Achievement Test received a gift for their accomplishment.
Ed Muransky, president of the board of both YCS and Millcreek Children’s Center, gave the children iPods, electronic dictionaries, or portable or at-home stereos. The students indicated their preference.
“There is so much pride in this room and in this school for all of your achievements,” Muransky said. “We are so proud of everything that is happening in this school. Everyone in the Youngstown area knows what’s going on in this building.”
The school earned an “excellent” designation on the 2009-10 state report card, the only community school in the Mahoning Valley to earn the rating.
“You are excellent because of your teachers and your parents,” YCS Principal Sister Mary Dunn told the students. “You did the work and worked very, very hard, but you need to thank your parents.”
Sixth-grader Ke’Myah Culver, 12, picked an iPod for her gift.
“I passed my Ohio Achievement Test,” she said, adding she thought it was easy.
But she said she studied a lot before the test.
“We had to pass all three parts of the test — math, reading and science,” explained sixth-grader Alaysha Clarett, 11. “Mr. Muransky gives everyone a gift who passes all parts of the test.”
Sister Jerome Corcoran, executive director of Millcreek Children’s Center and Youngstown Community School, said the children will be taking this year’s test soon.
“We want there to be even more of you to get over that line and get prizes next time,” she said.