Strong performance
CATS testing is over and I’m sure our staff and students are happy to return to their normal routines. I can say from my visits to the schools and from other staff that we had an outstanding effort. I know it will be some time till we get the results, but I am looking forward to seeing the results of all the hard work. While our students got an extra day of rest on Monday, our teachers were right back in the classrooms, working on their own development as teachers. It is a great example of how the learning never ends. Although testing is now complete, we cannot rest. We must continue to educate all of our students to the greatest extent possible until the very last day of class.
School coming along; Coyote chosen mascot
Crews continue to work full-steam ahead at Crossroads. Most of the work being done these days is inside the classroom where crews are painting, laying tile and constructing interior walls. I’m continually impressed with the work they’ve done, but preparing the school for the coming school year isn’t all being left to construction crews. Students who will attend Crossroads in the fall have had a hand in the planning as well. They’ve selected Coyotes as their mascot and maroon and gold as their school colors. The selections were made through a ballot system where the students chose from 5 mascots and 3 color schemes. I was happy to hear that a large percentage of the students voted. Hopefully this small piece of democracy will be their first step at becoming involved with their new school.
Smart growth
With the construction of our newest elementary school, we feel we are prepared to handle the growth that is expected to come in the coming years thanks to the lifting of the construction moratorium. That said, we are also aware that we will eventually need to consider new facilities. A District Facilities Plan was approved unanimously last night by the Board of Education. That plan shows what a committee determined to be our biggest needs and how those needs can be met based on our bonding potential. New facilitiy priorities include building a free-standing area technology center on the high school campus to replace the center that is now adjacent to the middle school and the creation of a high school/middle school campus on the north end of the county. I’d love to hear what others think of the plan and the solutions they have to offer. A public hearing to review the plan is set for May 23 at 6 p.m. at Central Office. Copies of the plan are available to the public.
Passports to greatness
I continue to be amazed at all of the great things are students are able to accomplish. So many of them are proof of the good things that are going on in Campbell County Schools. Now a group of 6 elementary students are going to prove that to the world. The Highland Heights Elementary School’s Robotics Team, The Lightning Strikers, is headed to Norway this month for an international competition. Their will be representing not only our district and the county but the entire Commonwealth. They ability at such a young age speaks volumes for our schools and staff. Their parents should also be commended for pounding the pavement to find the nearly $20,000 that was needed for the trip. We wish them luck and a safe return.
Calendar
Our May calendar is crowded with events and programs including this Thursday’s District Academic Recognition ceremony. It is normal for the end of the year, but it does make for some extra busy weeks. Be sure you’ve checked the calendar and know all of the programs you want to attend. Many event dates have changed due to the extension of the school year. I’d hate for anyone to miss any of the important ceremonies and recognition nights we have planned.
Decision Makers
The next meeting of the Board of Education is May 14 at Central Office at 7 p.m. A complete listing of the meetings is available at www.campbellcountyschools.org/main/district/boemtgschedule.php.
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