This year’s public school fourth graders are done — done with three days of standardized testing. The math test is in March. But for now they can just relax and give themselves a big hug.

The parents and teachers can give themselves a big hug, too. Because they’re done with months of test-prep and anticipation of THE TEST, which is important largely because it can determine entry to certain middle school. I repeat: some, not all  The kids are:

–Done with having to have good nutritious breakfasts even if they’re not hungry because they’re so nervous.

–Done with having to go to sleep earlier than usual even when they’re not tired because they’re so nervous.

I ran into a writer friend who said, "So, are you writing about the test?" I told her that I have nothing to say and I’m not going to say it.

But that wasn’t really true.

Really. What can you say? Boo Hoo. It’s a drag to see our kids put through this rigamarole.

Perhaps there are some positives:

–Much of life is a test: so this is good preparation. Sad to say.

–Teaching to this particular test isn’t a waste — some of it is quite worthwhile. Again, it’s good preparation for things to come.

That said, I could say: Oy vey. Sigh. What a drag. Why put them through it? Does the test really measure anything important?  Should children be measured by bubble tests? Should they be stressed out at age nine about their future?

Lawyer Friend told me  that in the weeks before the test she taught the kids in her son’s class relaxation techniques and meditation breathing. She read them Thich Nhat Hanh poetry. She played soothing music. She taught them to be still.

Now that’s a life lesson worth learning.