Hermiston School District has announced it will opt out of state testing for the current school year.
School districts usually have students participate in state assessments in reading, math and science each spring. But Superintendent Tricia Mooney said this year the district will forgo those assessments in order to maximize the in-person instructional time students have left instead.
âThis is really about supporting our kids and supporting our teachers,â she said.
Usually, state testing takes between one to two weeks for students to complete. Even with much shorter tests this year, it would still mean time not in front of a teacher for students who just returned to in-person classes. Mooney said testing often creates anxiety for students, as well, and the district doesnât want to add to what has already been an anxious time.
There were plenty of congratulations to go around on Friday, April 2, as the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce handed out its Distinguished Citizen Awards for 2019 and 2020.
Salud Campos, executive director for the chamber, said after last yearâs awards banquet was canceled at the last minute due to the initial COVID-19 lockdowns, the chamber wanted to make sure those who would have been recognized still got their award. She visited those awardees, as well as a new group honored this year, to hand them their plaque and offer congratulations.
âThey were thrilled,â she said.
Some winners said they were honored, while others described themselves as humbled or surprised, she said. After a long year for everyone, Campos said it was nice to be able to recognize the good in Umatilla.