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Woodside cheers on third-graders
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Derek Franken (left) and Claire Offerdahl told the third-graders to "Shoot for the Stars!" on behalf of their second-grade classroom.
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The pep rally for the third-graders welcomed a wealth of special guests, including experts in pep, the YSU cheerleaders and Pete the penguin. The cheerleaders led the school in a rousing cheer for the third graders.
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After the rally, it was time for treats. As the third-graders headed back to their classrooms, they were treated to a parade where the school's teachers provided candies and cookies.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .During Woodside Elementary's pep rally for their third-graders, the star students sang a song about staying focused and doing well on their OAA tests to the melody of "I Will Survive."
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The younger students of Woodside all wished their third-grade peers good luck. Candace Hetrick (left) and Dane Smith advised the third-graders to "Erase your worries away."
By SARAH FOOR
The first week of May was a stressful one for local third-graders as they prepared to take their Ohio Achievement Tests in reading and math. However, Woodside Elementary staff and teachers wanted their third-graders to feel supported by their classmates as they readied for their tests.
So, on April 29, Woodside threw a school-wide pep rally and parade for the third-graders. Woodside principal Tim Kelty brought staff, students and special guests Kathy Mock and Tom Stellers from the Board of Education to welcome the third-graders into the school’s gym with cheers and positive messages.
Kelty praised students for their hard work leading up to the test.
“Third grade – your teachers believe in you, your peers believe in you and I believe in you. Anything is possible!” Kelty assured the group.
After his words of wisdom, the star students sang a song about staying focused and doing well on their test to the tune of “I Will Survive.” Each grade in the school wished the third-graders good luck on their tests in short presentations.
Special guests even stopped by to show their support, with high-fives from the Chick-fil-A Cow and a rousing cheer from the YSU cheerleaders and Penny the Penguin. The third-graders ended their pep rally by parading back to their classrooms, receiving candy and “good luck” gifts along the route.
“Here at Woodside, we’re a family,” said third-grade teacher Joya Villani. “We wanted the kids to know that from the very beginning.”
“The last week has been really stressful with the kids knowing the test is coming up. This celebration really lifts the mood and gives them confidence and focus,” said fellow third-grade teacher Angie Carchedi.
“The day has been a great success – the kids say they’re already more motivated,” added fellow teacher Ann Billock.
Most importantly, third-grade teacher Nicole Wilson said the kids understand the school believes in them.
“My students are floored. They can’t believe the whole school came to support them. They told me, ‘We’re famous!’”