At Greenmont, they're all in MCAS together - Lowell Sun

April 29, 2019 at 08:17PM

A poster made by Greenmont Avenue School students to support their upper-class peers during MCAS season. COURTESY PHOTO Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

DRACUT -- Spring brings with it a few familiar things -- warmer weather, more sunlight, new growth. And, for some, MCAS testing. While teachers and students work throughout the year to prepare for the standardized tests, for many schools, they can also divide the kindergarten, first and second grades from the third, fourth and fifth grades while the latter three are taking the MCAS. Not, however, at Greenmont Avenue School in Dracut. Each year, the Greenmont Gator community comes together for what the school calls the "MCAS Cheerleader Program," the goal of which is to support the upper-grade students who are taking sessions of English Language Arts, Math and Science tests throughout the months of April and May. At the beginning of MCAS season, kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade classrooms are assigned a "buddy classroom" from the third, fourth and fifth grades. The students and teachers create signs, cards and small treats or gifts to give to their buddy classroom so the older students know they are not alone and that the rest of the school is cheering them on. It's a great way for the younger students to take part in the MCAS testing season and to support their fellow Gators.

A poster made by Greenmont Avenue School students to support their upper-class peers during MCAS season. COURTESY PHOTO Sun staff photos can be ordered by visiting our SmugMug site.

DRACUT -- Spring brings with it a few familiar things -- warmer weather, more sunlight, new growth. And, for some, MCAS testing. While teachers and students work throughout the year to prepare for the standardized tests, for many schools, they can also divide the kindergarten, first and second grades from the third, fourth and fifth grades while the latter three are taking the MCAS. Not, however, at Greenmont Avenue School in Dracut. Each year, the Greenmont Gator community comes together for what the school calls the "MCAS Cheerleader Program," the goal of which is to support the upper-grade students who are taking sessions of English Language Arts, Math and Science tests throughout the months of April and May. At the beginning of MCAS season, kindergarten, first-grade and second-grade classrooms are assigned a "buddy classroom" from the third, fourth and fifth grades. The students and teachers create signs, cards and small treats or gifts to give to their buddy classroom so the older students know they are not alone and that the rest of the school is cheering them on. It's a great way for the younger students to take part in the MCAS testing season and to support their fellow Gators.

DOWNLOAD FULL VIDEO

Tweet