Georgia Milestones testing begins; Macon school helps ease anxiety

Educators at Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School in Macon are helping students manage stress with motivational notes and testing tips.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – This week, students across Georgia are beginning—or preparing for—the Georgia Milestones testing, a critical assessment period that can bring anxiety and stress for many.

At Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School in Macon, educators are taking extra steps to build confidence and create a supportive environment for their students.

Throughout the school’s hallways, encouraging messages line the walls: “You can and you will,” “Keep calm, you’ve got this,” and “You are a star—go shine brightly on these tests.”

Natalie Little, the school counselor, says the effort to uplift students is personal.

“We have written individual notes to every single student so that they can see those notes every single day to remind them that we do believe in them and that they will do great on the test—and that we’re rooting for them and that we’re on their side,” she said.

Little encourages families to be part of that positive reinforcement.

“Make sure they’re speaking positivity to them,” she said.

Principal Shandreka Gibson stressed the importance of the Georgia Milestones.

“We really look at the data to see how we can best serve the students and what we can do for them, because at the end of the day, we want all our students to be successful, to be able to go to the next level—especially at the middle school level,” she said.

Little also shared practical advice for parents to help their students succeed: Cut back on screen time at night and prioritize rest.

“They take their devices away at a particular time,” she said. “Therefore, they’re not on their devices all night. And therefore, that next morning they will have the energy they need and the clarity they need.”

Testing will continue through May 1.