|
Davis,
Rocky Mount and
Shallowford
Falls elementary schools have been named 2007 Georgia
Schools of Excellence by the Georgia Department of Education.
Selected based on overall excellence and gains in student
achievement, the three Cobb schools are among only 25 schools
statewide to receive the prestigious designation this year.
The Georgia Schools of Excellence program began in 1984 and
has become a badge of honor for schools across the state.
The Georgia Schools of Excellence program identifies two
winning schools from each congressional district in Georgia,
based on two sets of criteria. First, a school must rank
highest in its congressional district and also be among the
state’s top 10 percent of schools. Davis and Shallowford Falls
elementary schools tied for qualification in Congressional
District 6, making both schools eligible for No Child Left
Behind Blue Ribbon Schools Award nominations. Rocky Mount
Elementary was received District 6 distinction in the
program’s second category for showing the greatest continuous
gains in student achievement in reading and mathematics over a
three-year period. Schools chosen for either category must
meet Adequate Yearly Progress for at least three consecutive
years, meet or exceed state mean scores in Science and Social
Studies and have 100 percent of the teaching staff meet
Georgia’s ‘highly qualified’ standards.
Carole Brink, principal at Davis, attributes her school’s
success to her teaching staff, supportive parents and their
‘Making Connections’ school theme. Mrs. Brink said, “We all
have a part in educating these children. Teachers are
examining the material they teach and how they teach it,
constantly making improvements.” She said that the school’s
‘Tiger Tales Book of the Month Club’ has done wonders for
Davis. The school’s PTA partially funds the program where
students in all grade levels read a selected book each month,
then teachers create assignments and activities tailored to
the learning needs of each grade and age group. “It’s
wonderful – parents tell me their families are discussing
literary characters at the dinner table,” said Mrs. Brink.
Rocky Mount principal Beth Peery surprised her staff with a
cake and the School of Excellence announcement in sealed
envelopes for the Feb. 8 announcement. “This is like earning
the Oscar, but only better, because it’s all about the kids,”
said Mrs. Peery. She said that the school’s commitment to
student achievement and reading-focused programs has helped
make Rocky Mount a great place to learn. The local Kiwanis
club sponsors reading programs and Mrs. Peery’s ‘Principal’s
Book Club’.
Rocky Mount teachers also recognize exemplary student work
through the school’s ‘Good News Postcards.’ When a student
shows extra effort or performs well, his or her teacher writes
a personal note on a specially-designed postcard. Mrs. Peery
then calls the student’s parents to congratulate them and give
notice of the card’s impending arrival in the mail. The
postcards provide positive feedback for students at home that
they can share with their families. Every day, during the
school’s morning news program and in afternoon announcements,
Mrs. Peery emphasizes her ultimate goal for Rocky Mount
students: “Work hard, make good choices and learn something
new every day.”
Dr. Doreen Griffeth, principal at Shallowford Falls, has
been fortunate enough to see her school earn the School of
Excellence designation twice. “I think we’re just very excited
to have this honor. It’s a tribute to our hard-working faculty
and our strong community,” said Dr. Griffeth. “We set goals
for our students in reading, math and writing, then honor them
when they reach those goals. We try to make the school a great
environment for learning.” Shallowford Falls also offers a
number of extra-curricular programs that are unique at the
elementary level. Fourth and fifth graders in the school’s
Drama Club produced and performed The Sound of Music this
year, involving not only students, but parents and community
members. Students at Shallowford Falls also extend their
classroom learning in the school’s Math Club and Science
Olympiad.
Cobb Superintendent Fred Sanderson paid visits to the three
Georgia Schools of Excellence during the day of the
announcement. “It’s thrilling to have our schools being
recognized for their success and progress. The administrators
and faculty at these three schools inspire students to achieve
their best in and outside of the classroom. Being named
Georgia Schools of Excellence punctuates the hard work that
our teachers and students are doing.”
Details about the Georgia Schools of Excellence program,
including selection criteria, is available from the Department
of Education’s web site at
www.doe.k12.ga.us. |
