Members of ALL4ONE at South Tama High School. -Photo provided

South Tama County High School students in the ALL4ONE group are using High Five Friday this week to remind Elementary students to do their best on the upcoming Iowa Assessments Tests, which are scheduled for the week of April 8-12. “I think it’s terrific that we get to see all of the elementary students on their way to school,” says senior ALL4ONE member Jared Douglas, “and when we can encourage them to do their best on the Iowa Assessments at the same time, that works out great!” Along with words of encouragement and high fives, ALL4ONE students will also be handing out fun #2 pencils for students to use on the tests.

Students at the high school know a lot about doing their best on Iowa Assessments. Not only do they take pride in what they know and take pride in their school, but they are also aware of how their Iowa Assessment scores impact the classes they can take, including college classes they are able to take while in high school. “One of the best parts of doing well on Iowa Assessments is getting to take PSEO classes in high school,” says sophomore Ericka Dunning. “Every PSEO class I take is free and by the time I get to college, I will already have enough college credits to be a sophomore.”

The ALL4ONE group hopes to be good role models for the younger students, reminding them to be well-rested before the tests, to eat a good breakfast, and to try their best on every test they take. “Learning these good habits early is important,” says senior Leah Mann. “I wish high schoolers would have done this with us when we were in the elementary.”

Teachers at all the schools in the district have been working with students throughout the year about doing their best in their classes and to use that same philosophy when they take their Iowa Assessments. “Teachers are a key component when it comes to emphasizing the importance of Iowa Assessments,” says ALL4ONE sponsor Dan Lopez. “Having high schoolers from our ALL4ONE group reiterate the same information is just another piece of the puzzle. Younger students model older students and when elementary students see high schoolers emphasize the importance of the tests, they will take their own tests more seriously.”

Mary Sherwood, Elementary Assistant Principal, sums it up, “We are so pleased with the involvement we have had with the high school this year. Our elementary students really look up to the high school students and having them send a positive message to our younger students about the importance of academics and doing their best on the Iowa Assessment is very powerful. Our High Five Fridays is a great way for us to start the day!”