The audience was cheering as cheerleaders and mascots urged them on, whipping them into a frenzy.
But there wasn't a game going on. Instead, this was the student body at Nevils Elementary School being led by Georgia Southern and Southeast Bulloch cheerleaders to help motivate them for the CRCT test, which begins today at all public elementary schools in Buloch.
Shawn Haralson, principal at NES, said the goal of the rally was to help the students realize that while the test is important for them, it's also something they can have fun with.
"There's two reasons for not doing well on tests," Haralson said. "Either they're nervous and they don't do well or they're scared that they're going to fail. We want to take those aspects away from the kids."
The test, which will run the rest of this week and Monday and Tuesday of next week, is a state mandated exam that is used as part of the federal No Child Left Behind act. Students in middle and highschools began their CRCT testing Monday.
Also, for third and fifth graders, they must achieve a passing score on the test to be promoted to the next grade.
Haralson said he wanted the students to know they have prepared all year for this test and they're ready for it.
At the rally, Haralson asked the students if their teachers had worked hard?
"Yes," they yelled back to him. Then he asked if the students had worked hard..
"Yes," they shouted, a little louder than the first time.
Finally Haralson asked "Are we ready?"
"YES," the students screamed.
Haralson told the students that the test is important, but it's "not something to get worked up about."
Cheerleaders from Southeast Bulloch High School gave the students tips on how to do their best on the test, including getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy breakfast and not rushing through the test.
Three Georgia Southern cheerleaders and GUS also led the crowd in cheers and performed stunts as well.
But there wasn't a game going on. Instead, this was the student body at Nevils Elementary School being led by Georgia Southern and Southeast Bulloch cheerleaders to help motivate them for the CRCT test, which begins today at all public elementary schools in Buloch.
Shawn Haralson, principal at NES, said the goal of the rally was to help the students realize that while the test is important for them, it's also something they can have fun with.
"There's two reasons for not doing well on tests," Haralson said. "Either they're nervous and they don't do well or they're scared that they're going to fail. We want to take those aspects away from the kids."
The test, which will run the rest of this week and Monday and Tuesday of next week, is a state mandated exam that is used as part of the federal No Child Left Behind act. Students in middle and highschools began their CRCT testing Monday.
Also, for third and fifth graders, they must achieve a passing score on the test to be promoted to the next grade.
Haralson said he wanted the students to know they have prepared all year for this test and they're ready for it.
At the rally, Haralson asked the students if their teachers had worked hard?
"Yes," they yelled back to him. Then he asked if the students had worked hard..
"Yes," they shouted, a little louder than the first time.
Finally Haralson asked "Are we ready?"
"YES," the students screamed.
Haralson told the students that the test is important, but it's "not something to get worked up about."
Cheerleaders from Southeast Bulloch High School gave the students tips on how to do their best on the test, including getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy breakfast and not rushing through the test.
Three Georgia Southern cheerleaders and GUS also led the crowd in cheers and performed stunts as well.