Reminder of ISTEP and Daylight Saving Time happening next week
03/05/2014

 

ISTA would like to remind members and parents to be prepared for Daylight Savings Time as it approaches during ISTEP testing next week.

 

Schools in Indiana are beginning or preparing to begin the applied skills portion of the ISTEP test this month. It appears that most schools are planning to begin testing next week, which also happens to coincide with the beginning of Daylight Saving Time.

 

Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday, March 9 at 2:00am.

 

Although as educators we stress the importance of the ISTEP test to our students, it is the support from parents that is critical to a student’s success. That’s why we want members to remind parents of the importance of getting ahead of the time change involved with Daylight Saving Time.

 

This is the time of year that we “spring ahead”, thereby losing an hour of sleep. Keeping this in mind, teachers should remind students and parents to prepare for the time change by gradually adjusting for the time change this week and weekend.

 

We’ve heard it all before, but it’s worth reminding students and parents to take the following steps to ensure a more successful test taking experience:

• Students should be going to bed at a reasonable time
• Parents should make sure students are winding down at least an hour before bedtime. This includes ensuring TVs, phones and other electronics are turned off.
• Students should eat a balanced breakfast high in protein and low in sugar. This could be a great reason to try out your school’s breakfast program, if they offer one.

Good luck to everyone during ISTEP and don’t forget to change your clocks!