AHHH, Spring! Flowers, sunshine, warm temperatures and…. STAAR testing. The spring semester is when the STAAR tests are administered to students. While not all students are testing, it often affects the atmosphere of the entire school. Bell schedules are altered, some classes must eat lunch in their rooms and some schools close their doors to outside visitors. Each school has some leeway as to when they administer the tests and when/if their school will be closed to visitors. For this reason, it is very important to communicate with your Mentor Director, your School Contact and your mentee’s school’s office staff, to find out when you are allowed on campus. It is always best to call before you go.

Recently, we asked our School Contacts how Seedling mentors can maintain their connection with their mentees during testing season, if their mentee’s school happens to be closed to visitors and also how mentors can provide support during this often stressful time.  Here are some ideas:  

•  Write notes of encouragement to your mentee and give them at your last meeting, prior to testing.   
• Before the testing begins, teach your mentee some strategies for de-stressing, like breathing exercises.
• Be consistent in your visits leading up to testing and as consistent as your mentee’s campus allows during testing.
• Acknowledge the stress, check in about their feelings.
• Give a meaningful pep talk to your mentee ahead of testing
• Check in with your School Contact and know what dates you will miss, communicate this to your mentee, assure them you will return.

The best suggestion School Contacts gave is to spend time with them being silly, whimsical and fun! Make your time together about joy. Rest assured that they are being coached about test-taking the minute the bell rings until the end of the day so time with you is a welcome break!