Ingram-Pye Elementary School hosts parent parade ahead of Georgia Milestones testing
Dr. Dan Sims, the Superintendent of the Bibb County School District, was at the parade. Ingram Pye Elementary was one of the county's lowest-performing schools in last year's milestone testing season. But with new leadership, Dr. Sims says he expects scores to be much improved this time around.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles lined College Street in Macon today to encourage their favorite Ingram-Pye Elementary School students. The school hosted a parent parade ahead of Georgia Milestones testing season, which kicks off next week.
Last-minute studying before standardized testing can be stressful. That’s why family members decorated their cars with words of encouragement. Zena Murphy says it was important that her niece knows she has a village that supports and believes in her.
“She’s a fifth-grade student here, Kennedi, and we’re just here to uplift her and motivate her for her test,” said Murphy.
For fifth-grade students like Kennedi, the Georgia Milestones will be administered throughout all of next week. Another parade participant, Melanie Ralls, says her granddaughter Raelynn is also a fifth-grade student gearing up for the big test.
“I’m here to support her, cheer her on and let her know that she got this,” Ralls said. “And that she can do all things through Christ that strengthens her. And I believe that she will ace that Milestone test.”
Labria Ricks, Raelynn’s mother, says she remembers being anxious before end of the end-of-the-year assessments when she was in school. She says her daughter is likely battling nerves herself, so her family’s car needed to be one of the ones she saw passing through the parade.
“I believe she’s a little nervous,” Ricks said. “But we’re here to encourage her. We’re here to support her, let her know that she’s loved, and God will see her through this.”
Ricks says the milestones are the final hurdle standing between Raelynn and middle school. Ricks says even though change can be scary, she’s excited for her daughter to clear that hurdle.
“We love her, we’ll be there for her, and we’ve got her back,” Ricks said. “We’re here to cheer her on through all things and all of the journey that she goes through in life.”
Murphy too spoke milestones success into existence for her niece and says she’s ready to continue supporting her at the next level and beyond.
“It’s going to be very exciting and scary because she’s going to be new to middle school,” Murphy said. “So, it’s going to be kind of different, but I think she got it. Go Kennedi!”
