PAWS testing begins

PAWS testing at Ralph Witters Elementary (RWE) and Thermopolis Middle School (TMS) has started and will run through March.

The standardized testing started on Tuesday at both schools. At RWE the test will run for two weeks and at TMS they will run for three weeks. The tests will be given on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Parents may notice their children being a bit more stressed or perhaps coming home a bit more tired and cranky each day during the testing, but there are some tips to help your child, and you, through the testing schedule.

•Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep. If the student is well rested they are more apt to do well, not just on the tests, but school in general.

•Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and during testing time, it’s even more important to see that your student has a full stomach before going to school.

•Give words of encouragement. Students sometimes worry about the outcome of their tests, so a word of encouragement, a “good luck” or “you’ve got this” can make a world of difference in how they feel going into the test. Encourage them to not stress over the tests and to simply do their best.

•Stay positive. This can sometimes be hard when you see your child come home tired from a day of testing, but keeping a positive attitude about learning helps them stay strong and motivated as well.

•Keep your child in school as much as possible. Try not to schedule haircuts or shopping trips during testing time since the student will just have to make the test up in the end.

•Make sure they wear comfortable clothing. This may sound silly, but if a child is fussing with an uncomfortable piece of clothing while trying to test their concentration may fall by the wayside.

•Have your children to school on time. Mornings can be stressful, especially in homes where there may be several children testing at the same time. If you’re running late for work it seems like nothing goes right for the rest of the day. It’s the same with your child. If they start their day in a rush, it can affect their entire day, too.

•Pack their backpacks and lunches the night before to save time in the morning. Being organized and ready to go helps your student feel more confident and prepared which can help them feel prepared for the day ahead.

•Allow for some relaxation time at home. If your student can spend some down time just relaxing with his or her family, they are going to feel less stressed in the classroom. Maybe pop some popcorn, put in a funny movie and just spend time together.