With fast-paced music blaring, Schuylkill Valley Elementary School third- and fourth-graders clapped through a "high-five tunnel" made of their principal, teachers and two Reading Royals players.
Students then sat on the floor but moved, swaying side to side or doing the "monkey," as more students gathered in the cafeteria for the elementary school's second annual PSSA pep rally.
The pep rally was designed to pump up the roughly 280 third- and fourth-graders for the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment tests, which begin today.
Along with reviewing study tips - read the directions, check your work when you're done - students practiced a PSSA rap and had a chance to listen to the hockey players' advice.
The players, John Scrymgeour and Dave Cowan, spoke to students about preparing for a big event, whether a game or the PSSA.
"You guys have an abundance of people in this room that really care about you doing well," Scrymgeour said. "Same with us: We have our coaches. You have your teachers. The coaches really try to inform us and give us the best ability to do well in our test, which is the game."
Other schools across Berks County also held pep rallies for students.
Inside the gymnasium at Northwest Elementary School in the Reading School District on Monday afternoon, the noise could have been pretty disorienting if you weren't prepared.
With music blaring and balloons bobbing on strings, students jogged into the gym squealing, screaming and laughing. They were greeted with smiles and high-fives from a half-dozen members of the Reading Express football team.
It wasn't your typical elementary school afternoon - and the festive atmosphere was a stark contrast to what will be going on today.
Northwest's staff was getting the students in gear for the tests, for which teachers, students and administrators have been prepping all school year.
"Are you ready to rock and roll that PSSA test?" Principal Maria Wengyn shouted.
"Yes!" the students screamed back.
Mark Steinmeyer, Reading Express head coach and a teacher at Lauer's Park Elementary School, followed suit, getting a raucous reaction when he asked if the kids were pumped up.
Steinmeyer encouraged the students to take the tests seriously, getting to bed early Monday night and eating something for breakfast.
"Be prepared for this test tomorrow," he said.
Steinmeyer said he was confident every student has what it takes to succeed.
"You are all smart," he said. "Each and every one of you in front of me."
Sam Bryant, an Express player and Reading High alumnus, told the students that it comes down to competing and working hard to meet your goals.
"If there's a tough obstacle ahead of you, if you're a competitor, you do everything you can to overcome it," he said.
Wengyn closed the rally with a few final words of encouragement.
"You have so much potential," she said. "The sky is the limit for each of you. You have to believe in yourself. Believe you can do it."
Contact David Mekeel: 610-371-5014 or dmekeel@readingeagle.com.
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