With educators like this.......

Recently my middle school-aged son came home with a notice for parents from the school counselor. I was struck by the absurd over use of exclamation points, plus some of the less fortunate choices in spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and content. Here's the letter, and I promise you I did not make one single extra punctuation mark than what was actually in the notice:

ATTENTION PARENTS!!!!!!!!!!

It's that time of year again---TEST TIME!!! The KCCT/CATS test will be given to the 7th and 8th graders. The CTBS test will be given to the 6th graders. We wanted to inform you of the dates your child/children will be testing. On the reverse side of this letter you will find a calender (yes, this is how she spelled it) with the testing schedule.

It is of the utmost important that your child/children be at school during the 2-week testing window!! Students will be able to earn prizes based on attendance and 110% effort!! To qualify for these rewards/prizes, students must in attendance and give 110% effort. Students know the criterion for what 110% effort means. (criterion?!) These have been discussed in class!!! Please reinforce to your children/children the importance of coming to school and having a great attitude about taking these tests!! Each child has worked hard all year--what a great way to show all that you have learned at Ourtown Middle School!!!! Also, a healthy snack will be provided each day of testing!! (I later found out that the "healthy" snacks included ice cream, soft pretzels, and other interesting choices, showing me once again that healthy is a relative term)

Some tips you, as a parent, can do to help prepare your child/children for the test:

-Have a relaxed environment during the testing window
-Get plenty of rest the night before each test
-Eat a good breakfast each morning of testing (breakfast can be purchased at school!) (it is hard for me to imagine a parent who does not know this by the end of the school year)
-Talk to your child about doing the very best he/she can do!! This is all we can ask for!!!!!!!!

If you have any question related to testing, please give me a call. I would love to hear from you!!!

I wonder if she was a cheerleader in high school. That's A LOT of enthusiasm.

About a week later we got a letter from the principal, letting us know that our son had qualified to attend the honor roll dance, and she also used a extra-large dose of exclamation points, causing me to think that this might be a school-wide ailment.

9 days left til summer break....we can do it.....we can do it....