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'Tame the cat' rally's focus: FCAT
By LOGAN NEILL BROOKSVILLE -- Brooksville Elementary School principal Sue Stoops has never worried much about how academically prepared her students are for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test. She knows her teaching staff is among the most devoted in the county. Past FCAT scores at the school have proven that. However, Stoops has always been concerned with the stigma attached to the standardized achievement exams and how worried students end up when it's time to take the test. "A lot of it has to do with the media," said Stoops. "Kids hear it on the news and read it in the paper that FCAT is this monster that's going to get them failed in school. And that can have devastating effect on their confidence." Which is why Stoops and members of the Brooksville Elementary staff decided to take a novel approach to pumping kids up on the eve of this week's FCAT exams. Last Friday, the school hosted a pep rally to sway some of the negative notions toward FCAT and raise awareness about how they might bolster their success. To the chants of "tame the cat" and "pound that rock" the students, all of whom wore stickers that read, "Be FCAT Smart," clapped along with members of the Hernando High cheerleading squad, as well as some players from the Hernando Eagles minor league football team. They laughed while faculty members acted out a funny skit about how to avoid the nerve-wracking stresses of FCAT. "It was pretty good," said fifth-grader Tory MacKenzie of the 25-minute program. Though he admits he's never had a tough time taking the week-long test, he was glad that some of his fellow classmates were there to get the message. "Nobody really likes FCAT," said Tory. "But it's not that hard of a thing if you prepare yourself." Teachers offered tips for getting through the grueling week, including the need for rest and a good breakfast. But, above all, the most important message was to believe in yourself. "Kids forget that we've already learned everything we need to know in class," said fifth-grader Kayla Knapp. "I'll just be glad when it's all over."
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