War on FCAT

By Melissa Aguilar, Principal

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War on FCAT

By Melissa Aguilar, Principal

Very few schools would take such pride in the fact that their school is at “war”, yet The Charter School at Waterstone managed to take state assessments and student achievement to an exciting new level by declaring “War on FCAT”.

Upon returning from winter break, students, parents and staff were welcomed back with inspirational banners and military decorations that announced the battle ahead. “Accountability is a reality for everyone at Waterstone,” stated Ms. Aguilar, Principal at the Charter School at Waterstone. “The best way to make a challenging time motivating is to have fun with it. We all work hard, but we have fun doing it and that only helps improve the end product.”

Different missions helped develop “platoon pride” as each classroom created their own “platoon flag” and military chant. Morning announcements have a military flair as students and staff are greeted with the army reveille and self created military cantus by different platoons showcasing their pride and sharing it with the school. Individual student achievement is tracked weekly and students are rewarded individually and as a grade level when we announce what grade levels made the highest gains and earn the bragging right of being “Platoon Leaders”. Teachers and staff come in military fatigues and, in an effort to stay true to our theme, The Charter School at Waterstone hosted an “Attack the FCAT” pep rally on March 6 as we prepared to send our soldiers (students) off to battle. The US Army and Homestead Air Force Base showcased different military vehicles while the Waterstone Cheerleaders showed off their school pride. The South Dade Senior high School’s JROTC also demonstrated their skills in a motivating pledge ceremony. In an added effort to motivate students, the “Attack the FCAT” pep rally also featured a presentation by Archbishop Coleman Carroll’s Senior High drum line. Their intoxicating rhythms and entertaining performance gave the students the final motivation needed to be victorious on our war on FCAT.

Melissa Aguilar Very few schools would take such pride in the fact that their school is at “war”, yet The Charter School at Waterstone managed to take state assessments and student achievement to an exciting new level by declaring “War on FCAT”.

Upon returning from winter break, students, parents and staff were welcomed back with inspirational banners and military decorations that announced the battle ahead. “Accountability is a reality for everyone at Waterstone,” stated Ms. Aguilar, Principal at the Charter School at Waterstone. “The best way to make a challenging time motivating is to have fun with it. We all work hard, but we have fun doing it and that only helps improve the end product.”

Different missions helped develop “platoon pride” as each classroom created their own “platoon flag” and military chant. Morning announcements have a military flair as students and staff are greeted with the army reveille and self created military cantus by different platoons showcasing their pride and sharing it with the school. Individual student achievement is tracked weekly and students are rewarded individually and as a grade level when we announce what grade levels made the highest gains and earn the bragging right of being “Platoon Leaders”. Teachers and staff come in military fatigues and, in an effort to stay true to our theme, The Charter School at Waterstone hosted an “Attack the FCAT” pep rally on March 6 as we prepared to send our soldiers (students) off to battle. The US Army and Homestead Air Force Base showcased different military vehicles while the Waterstone Cheerleaders showed off their school pride. The South Dade Senior high School’s JROTC also demonstrated their skills in a motivating pledge ceremony. In an added effort to motivate students, the “Attack the FCAT” pep rally also featured a presentation by Archbishop Coleman Carroll’s Senior High drum line. Their intoxicating rhythms and entertaining performance gave the students the final motivation needed to be victorious on our war on FCAT.