A team picture of the students.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — On Tuesday, March 26, C.A. Gray Jr. High School had a parent involvement night like no other. The goal was to get parents into the school to learn more about the upcoming Georgia Milestones Assessments — a major indicator of student learning for the school.

Inspired by the wildly successful past student basketball events, academic coaches Portia Gude and Tashara Jackson envisioned an event where students and parents could face off. Since the night also highlighted testing information, the event was dubbed a “Tip-Off.”

In addition to the student and parent players, the middle school cheerleaders and most of the staff of C.A. Gray were in attendance. Several departments planned skits to convey their pertinent information — some even rapping out the facts. The audience was on its feet as the game heated up with the parents pulling out the win in the end.

Parents are already asking if the school plans to hold another event like this next year, a school press release said.

Principal Frederick T. Smith said, “The C.A. Gray Junior High School GMAS Tip-Off was phenomenal! The parents enjoyed playing the students in a game of basketball, and both learned some really great test taking tips presented in a creative way by the great teachers at Gray. A big shout-out goes to Ms. Tashara Jackson, Mrs. Portia Gude, and Mrs. Pam Heidelberg for planning and organizing the event.”

For those parents who missed out on Tuesday night, you can find more overview information about upcoming testing here: http://www.gaexperienceonline.com/.

Students will also be bringing home class-specific information in the coming weeks.