At Kolmar, our school theme this year is Sailing to Success—and what better way to carry that excitement through the spring than by preparing our 3rd through 5th grade students for the Illinois Assessment of Readiness (IAR) with a nautical twist?
Over the next few weeks, students in grades 3–5 will take on the IAR, which focuses on important skills in ELA and Math. And while the test may be challenging, our Coyotes are more than ready to rise to the occasion—we know they’re arrr up for it!
To build excitement and confidence, students and staff have been spreading encouragement throughout the building. Hallways have been filled with colorful posters and uplifting messages created by students, while some classes have written thoughtful notes to their buddy classrooms to cheer them on.
The excitement didn’t stop there! The entire school came together for Kolmar’s annual IAR pep rally. This year, Mrs. Mural brought the theme to life by inviting staff and students to dress as pirates and sailors, helping everyone feel ready to “set sail” for success. During the rally, Mrs. Mural reviewed helpful test-taking strategies and got everyone energized for the days ahead.
Teachers even joined in on the fun with a friendly competition for a chance to earn extra recess for their students. A big shout-out goes to Ms. Pikulski and Ms. Snorewicz (who stepped in for the 4th grade team) for winning the challenge and bringing that extra reward to our amazing 4th grade Coyotes!
Good luck to all of our Kolmar Coyotes as they navigate the waters of IAR over the next few weeks. Stay confident, do your best, and remember—you’ve got this!
