The Recorder on June 20, 2024
MONTEREY — Teachers previewed a new literacy plan for Highland County Public Schools at the school board meeting last Thursday, June 13.
“It focuses on improving literacy outcomes for all students,” explained Jennifer Gardner, the third-grade teacher who is part of the team that created the plan.
The team met four times this year with other teams from schools in the region to work on literacy plans as part of the Virginia Literacy Act, passed in 2022.
“Everything we’re doing is based on brain research on how students learn,” said first-grade teacher and team member Mariam Foster.
The team has held meetings with teachers in kindergarten through eighth grade and created a draft of the plan for board members and the public to review. The school will submit the draft to the Virginia Department of Education by the July 1 deadline and submit the final plan after the school board votes on it next month.
View and comment on the plan at www.highland.k12.va.us/documents/district/ items-under-review/374232.
“We feel good about what we have,” Foster said.
All students will receive core instruction, with additional resources for those above or below grade level.
“We’re in the process of choosing more curricula that will be appropriate for kiddos who need more help,” Gardner said.
Lynne Botkin, the reading specialist, said teachers have already begun training with a total of 26 hours planned throughout the next school year. “There are modules and modules and modules throughout the year,” Botkin said.
The literacy plan also includes several assessments to identify needs and track progress.
“There is a lot that will be happening to make sure that we are doing this fidelity,” Gardner said.
Depending on the grade level and student need, up to six different assessments can be used, from the Virginia Language and Literacy Screening System for all students to optional spelling and phonics surveys. There will also be division-level assessments.
Part of the plan includes engaging parents, caregivers, and the community, from sending flyers home to literacy nights and volunteer opportunities.
“We’re going to need a lot of community involvement to make it happen,” Botkin said.
There will also be a virtual tool kit to help parents work with their children at home. “It would be a place they could go see an example of what to work on with their child,” Foster said.
School board chair Kenny Hodges asked what the school would do for parents without computer or internet access.
“We can certainly gather materials, and parents can come in and meet with us,” Botkin said. “We have to remember to ask because parents don’t always tell us.”
“We are putting out that we are involving the families,” Hodges said, and Botkin agreed.
“We really want to bring people in to work with the kids,” she said.
End of year
High school principal Tim Good said the graduating students were awarded more than $150,000 in local scholarships. “It’s phenomenal for a class of 10,” he said. “We want to thank the community for their support.”
Good also thanked the staff for their work as the school year comes to an end.
“It’s tireless work,” Good said. “A well-deserved rest is coming for our staff this summer.”
Good said the school will send letters home to parents of students who are asked to attend summer school.
Personnel
The board accepted a resignation from middle school math teacher Carold Snyder.
Fourth-grade teacher Todd DeWees is retiring.
Daniel Marshall was hired as a substitute bus driver, and Richard Siron was hired for temporary summer technology support.
The board also hired Justine Kraynak as a special education teacher. She has been working as a special education assistant at Highland High School. Kraynak will need to complete a special education course for licensure.
Lisa Budzinski was reassigned as the full-time All In Virginia assistant. She had been working part-time as the ESSER assistant, but funding for that position ended.
The school still has the following vacancies: Special education teacher; elementary teacher; bus driver; middle school English teacher; middle school math teacher; and elementary administrator.
“We continue to advertise and interview for our vacancies,” said school superintendent Dr. Drew Maerz.
Hodges said the board is especially concerned with the elementary administrator position.
“We’re working really hard on trying to find what’s needed and the right person,” he said.