Making the ELA tests bearable

If anything, students at Abram Lansing will be looking forward to the state-mandated English Language Arts tests next year thanks to antics of Principal Cliff Bird, who has made it his mission to make test days a little more enjoyable for everyone.

Instead of walking through the halls to deliver the test packets to each third, fourth and fifth-grade classroom on the morning of the tests — Jan. 8-10 this year — Mr. Bird thought of three creative ways drop off the tests.

"The teachers, students and staff take these tests seriously, but delivering them to the classrooms in an unusual way lightens the mood for everyone, and gives the children something to look forward to on the morning of the exams," Mr. Bird said.

On Jan. 8, a member of The Society for Creative Anachronism, Inc., dressed as King Henry IV, announced the delivery of the tests, complete with a trumpet! On Jan. 9, Nermal the Newfoundland deliver the tests to the students. Not only were the students delighted by the dog, they had a chance to pet him before they got to work.

Finally, on Jan. 10, the day only fourth-grade students were taking tests, their kindergarten buddies brought them hugs—in the form of chocolate Hershey's Hugs and actual hugs.