PES Family,
Preparing for Success: The Importance of Sleep, Healthy Eating, and Getting Ready for ILEARN
As we approach the ILEARN test in April and May, it’s important for students to remember that their success is not just about studying hard—it's also about taking care of their bodies and minds. At Pioneer Elementary, we want to encourage all students to prioritize three key things in the weeks leading up to ILEARN: getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and staying prepared.
The Power of Sleep
Sleep is a crucial part of how our brains work, and it can make a big difference when it comes to school performance. Did you know that getting enough sleep helps with memory, focus, and problem-solving? When we sleep, our brains organize the information we’ve learned during the day, so we’re ready for the next day’s challenges.
For elementary students, experts recommend getting 9-11 hours of sleep each night. This helps students stay alert and ready to do their best work in class and on the test. In the weeks before ILEARN, make sure your child has a consistent bedtime and a calm bedtime routine. A good night’s sleep is like hitting the "reset" button, helping students feel refreshed and prepared for the day ahead.
Eating Healthy Foods
What we eat has a big impact on how we feel and how well we perform in school. Eating healthy meals and snacks gives our bodies and brains the energy we need to stay focused and strong. Before the ILEARN test, it’s especially important to fuel up with nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods provide long-lasting energy that helps students concentrate and think clearly.
Try to avoid sugary snacks and drinks, as they can cause energy crashes that make it harder to stay alert. Instead, encourage students to eat balanced meals and snacks that include a mix of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. A healthy breakfast on test days—like eggs, fruit, and whole-grain toast—can set the stage for a successful morning of testing.
Preparing for ILEARN
The ILEARN test is an important part of measuring what students have learned, but it’s just one part of their academic journey. While studying and reviewing materials is important, it’s also essential to stay calm and confident as the test days approach.
To help your child feel prepared, encourage them to practice good study habits and review key concepts in a fun and low-pressure way. We always recommend taking breaks, staying organized, and working through practice tests if possible. It’s also important to remind students that it’s okay to ask for help if they don’t understand something. The goal isn’t to memorize everything, but to do the best they can by using the skills they’ve learned throughout the year.
On Test Day: Start the Day Right
On the day of the ILEARN test, make sure your child has a healthy breakfast and gets to school on time. A positive, calm start to the day can help reduce test-day stress. Encourage your child to stay relaxed and do their best—because that’s what truly matters. Remind them that they are capable, and no matter what, we are proud of their effort.
As always, we are here to support students in every way we can, whether it's through classroom activities, after-school help, or providing tips to families. Together, we can ensure that every student is well-prepared, healthy, and confident for the ILEARN test.
Let’s make the most of these next few weeks, taking care of ourselves and each other. Here’s to a successful ILEARN test season for everyone!
Dana says, "I was so excited to start my career here with the Pioneer Family. I love the fact that we are a small rural community, everyone becomes family." Teaching art was her dream starting in elementary school, so she is officially living her dream.
When students come into Mrs. Ayer's room, her goal is to teach about art and that being different is the BEST! She states, "Even being weird in the art room is great and accepted! Art is a great place to teach that every student is going to create something unique of their own."
Her favorite thing about teaching at Pioneer is her coworkers and the students. They are her home away from home. Mrs. Ayers has so many wonderful memories from this school. One of her favorites is teaching her own children a love of art at home and in school. She will tell you, you can ask them because they know all the art things!
Lindsey Miller has been teaching for 8 years, working with first, fourth, and fifth graders. She has taught at Eastlawn Elementary School and is currently a part of the Pioneer Elementary community.
What Miss Miller loves most about Pioneer is how the school and community come together to support families in times of need. She finds it truly inspiring to see such care and collaboration in action.
Her main goal for students is to ensure they walk into her classroom feeling supported, valued, and appreciated each day. For her, teaching isn’t just about academic success; it’s also about helping students grow emotionally and socially. She strives to see them improve in behavior and emotional regulation while excelling in their studies.
One of her favorite memories of teaching is when her class began reading Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream this year in fifth grade. Students were silently reading the summary for an act/scene that was a dramatic turning point in the play. The classroom sounded like a bag of popcorn popping, with students making audible gasps at various times as they read the dramatic events! Students were instantly hooked on the story!
As it gets colder outside, there will be days that students MUST have sleeves or a coat to go outside. It is recommended to keep an extra sweatshirt or coat at school just in case!
The Handbook States:
If the temperatures at the time of recess are below 50 degrees (including wind chill) the students will need to wear a coat outside for recess. If the temperatures at the time of recess are between 50 and 60 degrees (including wind chill) the students will need to wear a sweatshirt or coat to go outside. If the temperatures at the time of recess are above 60 degrees (including wind chill) then the students may choose whether or not to wear a coat or sweatshirt outside for recess.
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