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Lynn Kirk third-graders get support
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Students of Tammy Franklin’s second-grade classroom showed off some of the signs they made to support their third-grade friends. The supporters were, from left, India Getts, Emma Marek, Kaitlin Burich, Lindsay Zublena, Kyle Keller, Leeah Grimm, and Bryan Bellish.
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Third-graders Ryan Connors (left), Christian Armstrong, and Morgan Pelfrey were excited about the support they were receiving as they paraded throughout their school.
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When the student body gathered in Lynn Kirk’s all-purpose room, the third-grade teachers asked the students to hold up their supportive signs. The many students at Lynn Kirk did so happily.
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The third-graders were asked to sit down and relax as the younger grades at Lynn Kirk praised the older students for their hard work.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor.The students of Mrs. Walsh’s first-grade Lynn Kirk classroom cheered on the third-graders as they passed through the halls of the school.
By SARAH FOOR
Repeated cheers of “third grade, third grade!” rang through the halls of Lynn Kirk Elementary on May 2, as the staff and students cheered on the students preparing to take their Ohio Achievement Assessment (OAA) tests.
The event was part of a continuing effort by the third-grade teachers of the school to take the stress out of the state test. The celebration started late in the afternoon on May 2, when dance tunes began to be played through the school’s loud speakers. The third-graders paraded through each classroom and received treats and cheers for their hard work leading up to the test dates of May 3 and 5.
After the parade, the third-grade teachers gathered the school in the all-purpose room for a thank you.
“All your cheers and support have shown our third-graders that the tests can be fun. We couldn’t have done it without you,” said teacher Ashley Wallace.
To show their appreciation, the third-graders hosted a short concert, singing songs about staying focused for their tests.
The third-grade teachers said the event helps the students relax.
“Last week, the students were nervous, but that seems to be gone now. The parade and cheers really helps put a positive spin on something that can get really stressful,” explained third-grade teacher Stacy Banko.
“Throughout the process, we always remind the kids that they’re special because they’re the only ones that get to take the test – they really like that,” shared teacher Cari Horniker. “They’re stars of the school even after the tests are over.”