In preparation for the PSSA writing assessment in October, sixth-graders at Jamestown Elementary School were enrolled in the boot camp of the Writers' Army.

The purpose of the boot camp was to help students improve their skills in five different writing areas tested on the Pennsylvania State Standards Assessment. The areas were: focus, content, style, organization and conventions.

During the boot camp, students learned about the five areas, a writing method and the writing process. They were taught skills like brainstorming, organizing, writing rough drafts, revising, editing, writing final copies and checking the final copy.

During the boot camp and testing days, students and teachers dressed in Army fatigues and gear. They learned a chant to march to almost every day that helped them remember the five testing areas. As an added reward, Principal Brian Schaller promised Army rations -- Mountain Dew and snacks -- after the PSSA testing and Superintendent David Shaffer accepted the challenge to wear his Army sergeant's uniform for one of the testing days.

Students also earned a stripe on a paper arm patch for each area in which they received a perfect score. Sergeant first class status was awarded to each student who earned a perfect score in each of the five areas.