‘Prep assemblies’ help sophomores focus on tests

Ohio Graduation Tests being taken this week

Ross High School science teacher Jane Hansley conducts an experiment Wednesday, March 17, during the daily schoolwide “prep assembly” to encourage the sophomores taking the Ohio Graduation Test this week.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Ross High School science teacher Jane Hansley conducts an experiment Wednesday, March 17, during the daily schoolwide “prep assembly” to encourage the sophomores taking the Ohio Graduation Test this week.

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By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer 1:06 AM Thursday, March 18, 2010

ROSS TWP. — Schools will frequently hold a pep assembly before a big game to get everyone excited.

So the staff at Ross High School they figured that before a big test, maybe they should hold an assembly to calm everyone down.

Beginning Friday, March 12, sophomores have gathered each afternoon for a “prep assembly” to give the students a few last minute tips before buckling down for the Ohio Graduation Tests, the daily 2½-hour exams given this week that will determine whether they’ll be able to graduate.

Each assembly focuses on the theme of the following school day’s test, said English teacher Quana Curtis. On Tuesday, March 16, for instance, prior to Wednesday’s writing test, students Ben Hemmelgarn and Brad Parks created a comical 7-minute video — complete with a special-effect brainstorm — with reminders about the different kinds of essays they can write for the test and ideas for writing strategies. On Wednesday, the school’s science staff conducted a series of silly-but-informative experiments in advance of today’s science exam.

“We’re dong the assemblies because the staff and the sophomores are very stressed out about the OGT,” Curtis said. “This allows us to take a little bit pressure off and also to remind them how important the tests are.”

The cheerleading squad also made upbeat signs to hang throughout the school offering encouragement, including a poster signed by all of the teachers.

“We just want to let the sophomores know that we’re behind them and we support them,” said Principal Lani Wildow.

This is the school’s second year for the prep assemblies.

“It reminds us to calm down, that it’s not that big a deal,” said sophomore Alyssa Perry, who confessed that she’s pretty confident about taking the tests. “We’ve been going over all this stuff since the eighth grade,” she said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2188 or rjones@coxohio.com.

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