Green Wave ARM for success

Published 3:51 pm Monday, April 16, 2012

Honoring its system wide commitment of “Promoting achievement, respect and success,” Leeds Middle School (LMS) principal Dr. Jason Baker enlisted the help of some friends to ready his students for the upcoming Alabama Reading and Mathematics Test Plus (ARM+).

Having achieved a 100 last year, Leeds City Schools hopes to continue this encouraging trend.

Encouraging his students to arrive at their best, Baker let sixth, seventh and eighth graders at LMS know the two most important elements to being a good test taker.

“Number one, get some rest at night. It’s critical when you’re testing for extended periods,” said Baker. “Number two, get something to eat, like proteins or fruits. Something to give you that brain power.”

Leeds City Schools superintendent John Moore addressed the seventh grade student body by letting them know he was once in their very shoes.

“Did y’all know I attended Leeds Middle School?” Moore asked the crowd before replying, “And I loved it.”

Outlining an acronym signifying what L-E-E-D-S means, Moore said those letters stand for “Leadership, Education, Excitement, Determination and Success.”

During test taking, it’s important to read, think and make intelligent choices, Moore emphasized the importance of each student being their absolute best.

“Leeds is famous for its leaders,” said Moore. “Leeds is home to NBA stars like Charles Barkley, Miss America, doctors, lawyers and corporate leaders.”

Letting the seventh graders in on his view point on education, Moore told the students this test shows how you think through problem solving and how you arrive at that answer.

Sharing his excitement over last year’s accomplishments, Moore said, “Last year Leeds had 57 goals from the elementary school to the high school and we scored 100. Leeds is an exciting place to go to school. We’re on the move and a fabulous place to be.”

Urging these students to stay focused, he stressed the importance of truly reading the story during the reading comprehension portion of the test.

“Read the story and be determined to find the answer,” said Moore.

Briefly touching on the hot button issue of bullying, Moore asked the students to be the kid that stands up for what’s right.

“Don’t let someone sit there and bully someone. I didn’t do it and I don’t want you to,” said Moore.

Concluding his talk, he said, “When you succeed, we succeed. The most important thing is to be a good person.”

Former LMS principal, now Leeds High School principal, Michael Turner spoke to the eighth graders letting them know the importance of the ARM+ test to them as incoming freshmen.

“Right now, you might not know it, but you are thinking and shaping your future,” said Turner. “The decisions you make now are helping develop the person you will become.”

Turner shared with these students that he dropped out of school in seventh grade, saying school wasn’t for him, he worked construction at 12 and 13 years-old to put food on the table.

“I made $50 a week,” said Turner. “I learned you better get a hustle or a skill set or you’ll get turned out real quick.”

Saying the “grace of God” led him back to school to a counselor’s office where he planned his schedule, Turner returned to school with a new sense about education.

“I wanted to turn my life around and I was getting that opportunity,” said Turner. “We’re giving you the opportunity to do something with your life every day at this school.”

Assuring students that it’s alright that college isn’t for everyone, Turner said Leeds City Schools will be partnering with St. Clair County to provide a vocation education option for students looking to develop a different skill set. And offered that the military was another option to consider as he had served in the 138th CES Air Force.

Before making his way back to the high school, Turner shared this message.

“I want you to do your absolute best in any and everything you do. Perception is reality. I want you to do very well on this test. The fact that y’all have done very well is an indicator that Leeds has some very good things going on and some smart students.”

The last speaker to share her insight with the LMS sixth graders was Leeds school board member and former fifth grade teacher Kathy Dutton.

A teacher for 29 years, 27 of those at Leeds Elementary School, Dutton asked students to get in the right mind set and come in ready to concentrate.

“This test is going to make a statement about you and your town,” said Dutton. “Be proud of who you are—you’re special. You’re from Leeds.”

Encouraging them to do their very best, Dutton offered this suggestion.

“Use what you already know to figure out what you don’t know on those math problems. They want to know what kids at LMS know, and I know you know a lot.”

Instilling confidence in the LMS student body, these educators shared a common goal, to ensure these students map out a place for success.

Perhaps Turner said it best.

“All we’re asking you to do is tune in to the right station. It’s about putting your best foot forward.”

The scores from the ARM+ test are expected to be returned to Leeds City Schools by June or July.