Ruidoso Middle school gets surprise cheer-squad during test week

Ruidoso Middle School (RMS) was surprised with an unusual pep rally ahead of implementation of the New Mexico public schools’ common core standards testing.

Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham recently removed PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers) testing as the common assessment of New Mexico public school students.

However, staff at RMS decided to proceed with testing in order to encourage students to continue to meet and exceed academic excellence. The state assessment spans over a three-week period.

The assembly was organized to help boost the morale and confidence of the student body.

The faculty at RMS started off the school day with a “surprise testing kick off" assembly. Months of preparation along with some sneaky planning was organized to relieve some of the tension students may experience.

"While it’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous before a test, some students find test anxiety debilitating. Racing thoughts, inability to concentrate, or feelings of dread can combine with physical symptoms like a fast heartbeat, headache, or nausea," according the Princeton Review.

The assembly was filled with antics and some clowning around by staff, Police Chief Darren Hooker and family members, to encourage students during the next two weeks of testing.

Creative posters were placed throughout the school the night before. Ruidoso High School student council members showed support for the students by placing inspirational quotes with chalk along the sidewalk as well.

“We are such a small community and we should all support each other. I am proud that the RHS student council will jump in and support students in other buildings,” former RHS student council president, Daniella Rodriguez said.

As students entered the building, they were shuffled to a seating area. Cecily Hooker, principal of RMS, started the testing kick off by greeting the students and parents, stating that “the staff supports the students and the efforts and how proud everyone at the school is of each individual student.”

Superintendent of the Ruidoso Municipal School District, Dr. George Bickert spoke to the student body about how proud each student should be of themselves.

“We believe that it is important to encourage our students, even in silly ways like this, because although this test is important, students are what matters most. They need to feel confident and appreciated. We want to thank the parents and community members that took the time to support our staff and students,” Cecily Hooker said.

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“Use the same determination and effort that you do for your video games and try and get as many points as possible. You got this. Rock the test,” Bickert said.

As the assembly moved forward with the help of some “special cheerleaders” (Ruidoso police chief, school board members and staff dressed as cheerleaders) the students were cheered on as they face two weeks of testing.

 Assistant Superintendent, Jason Edmister, was first to say “yes” to wearing a cheerleader's skirt. 

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"Getting our young people pumped up and ready for testing is the least that I can do. It has nothing to do with me wanting to be a cheerleader or wear skirts," Darren Hooker said.

However, he was not the only one to agree to a live performance of “Rah, Rah, Sis- Boom-Bah.”

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Board members Luther Light (president) and Marc Beatty, assistant principal Mike Speck, Police Chief Darren Hooker, Brenda Garcia (RMS secretary) dressed as cheerleaders as their jazz hands waved to the crowd.

Parents Jennifer Friberg, Stephanie Kennedy, Aimee Vasquez, and Raul Cavaller dressed as inflatable T-rexs dancing about.

“For me it is about community service. I love being more than just the police chief, I have always been someone that wants to show that I am just like everyone else, common," Hooker said.

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Cheers of encouragement were heard as students were given the red-carpet treatment and lined up to make their way to each grade level hallway.

“We don’t want our students to stress about the state testing. We always preach testing days are the best days because they get to show us what they know,” said assistant superintendent Jason Edmister.

For more information about the Ruidoso school district, testing, or programs offered visit www.ruidososchools.org.

Pamela L. Bonner can be reached at 575-202-5555, Pbonner@Ruidosonews.com or at 575-257-4001 ext. 4102.