It's So Much More Than One Test On One Day
by Education Blog
Posted on October 9, 2017
As I looked at the transportation schedule for the month of October I was amazed at all of the events taking place. In the 31 days of the month, 22 of those students were being transported to an event from elementary through the high school.
One event that took place this past Saturday that did not require transporting students was One-Act Regionals at Alva High School.The Alva High School One-Act team performed “A Piece of My Heart.” The performance tells the story of six women who served in the Vietnam War. Mr. Bradt, AHS speech teacher, has worked tirelessly with his students to prepare them for this event. I asked Mr. Bradt to give me an inside look into how the students would be judged. Mr. Bradt explained to me that the “main emphasis the judges are looking for is focused on acting. However, they are also looking at the big picture, the whole cast as an ensemble, do they think we tell the story the author wants us to portray. They also look at everything that does not represent acting as in lights, sound, hair, make-up, and set. This would all be considered part of Tech, and there is a separate award given to the best tech crew.” Mr. Bradt explained to me that “It is just as important to me to win it as any award. It shows that the whole picture of the show is complete.” The One-Act team will be competing this Saturday at Deer Creek High School at 6:30 and then at the state competition in Mustang on October 26 at 4:45. If you are unable to attend these events, there will be a performance for the community on October 24 at 7:00 in the high school auditorium. Please come out and support the hard work by Mr. Bradt and his students.
Also, congratulations to band director Mr. Price and the High School Band for receiving ones at the state marching competition in Clinton. The Middle School and High School Bands have looked fantastic in the homecoming parades and during the halftime performances at our football games.
Mr. Nation and Mrs. Walker transported students to the Tulsa State Fair to compete in livestock judging. The Senior FFA team was 6th out of 58 teams. They were also high team in cattle judging and Julie Owen was 11th high individual out of 222 contestants. The Alva Jr. 4-H team was 2nd overall out of 33 teams. Tara Owen was 4th high individual out of 123 contestants. Senior FFA team members are Julie Owen, Caleb Chapman, Karlee Dietz and Cooper Sneary. Junior FFA team members are Ashlyn Holloway, Ron Vasquez Jr., and Christian Ceniceros. Junior 4-H team members are Tara Owen, Jarin Shirley, Colby Mackey and Avery McMurphy. Other team members that competed were Payden Nusser, Brady Lott, Jansen Shirley, Mackenzi Mackey, Cade Mackey, Brooklyn Murrow, Kellen Bradford and Ruston Erikson. Congratulations Mr. Nation, Mrs. Walker, and all our students for their hard work and dedication.
Finally, each year with the release of test scores a sense of dread can take over for both parents, teachers, and students. The headline in yesterday’s Daily Oklahoman was “Test score change could be ‘shock to the system.’” The Oklahoma State Department of Education will be releasing the state assessments to school districts this week. Districts will then review the scores and the final reports will be sent November 27 and these will be distributed to parents that week. The “cut scores” or performance levels have been changed, and there may be a noticeable decrease in student scores across the state. It is important to note that this is the baseline year in our new assessment system, and moving forward a focus will be on school improvement and student growth. We have great teachers, and with the commitment made by our administration and teachers to curriculum map, and focus on the growth of our students I am confident that we are on the right track and will be able to use this baseline year of data to help our students during the educational process.
Certainly state assessments and the academic success of our students is incredibly important to their future success. I think it is also critical to remember all of the positive programs outside of the regular classroom settings that our teachers are leading and our students are particpating in each day. The three programs mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to activites and programs provided for our students. The skills learned such as public speaking, hard work, dedication, poise, and teamwork cannot always be measured on a state assessment, but as can be seen in our extracurricluar programs, are producing champions year in and year out. I hope that as state assessment scores are realeased we remember to find a balance between improvement and growth and we remember to celebrate the success of our students and teachers.
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