Shelby Co. board briefed on district's work to help preschoolers build skills necessary for kindergarten success; "unmet needs" plan backed, but with concerns

Sentinel-News, Shelbyville, April 19, 2017

Board hears report on kindergarten readiness
Approves unmet needs
By ASHLEY SUTTER

The Shelby County Board of Education learned what makes our students ready for kindergarten during Thursday’s regular meeting, hosted at Wright Elementary.

Northside Early Childhood Center Principal Brenda Musick explained how her school tries to ensure that students are ready to learn when they get to elementary school while keeping preschool fun. Kindergarten preparedness, she noted, includes identifying letters and numbers and quantifying those numbers.

“If I say give me two, can you give me two blocks,” she said. “Can you tell me your name, can you tell me where you live, can you tell me your address, can you spell your name, can you identify it within other names?”

Instructional coach/intervention teacher Mandy Dykes said as of the last assessment Northside was at 49 proficiency in letter writing and 45 percent proficiency in letter sounds. In math, they were at 37 percent proficiency in county and 60 percent in quantifying. She added that Musick aims to have all students kindergarten ready, regardless of where, or even if, they attend preschool.

“So every month we have parent academies that are opened up to the entire Shelby County population,” she said, noting they teach parents and grandparents how to play with a purpose.

For example, in October they hosted a carnival with game stations that taught math and awarded prizes. The day included snacks and popcorn, as well. In November, they hosted a Thanksgiving feast where visitors left with books and flashcards that mirrored the day.

Unmet needs

The board also approved the district’s unmet needs for 2016. The lists included upgrades to various school playgrounds and funding for professional development.

Board member Joanna Freels questioned what the funding would cover as far as professional development.

Superintendent James Neihof said the recurring budget has very little in it to cover professional development, which is mostly funded through grants and unmet needs funds.

Susan Dugle explained that the funds would cover the cost for travel, fees to attend conferences and the funds needed to pay substitute teachers when teachers are attending conferences.

Board members voted in approval of the unmet needs 3-1 with Freels casting the lone vote in opposition. Freels said she was not comfortable voting in favor until she saw a more in depth report on the funding for professional development.

Also at the meeting, the board:

? Heard a presentation from the Wright Elementary School Student Lighthouse Team.

? Approved the 2017-2018 board goals.

? Approved renewing the contract for school pictures with Lifetouch for 2017-2018.

? Approved extending the contract for workers compensation insurance for 2017-2018.

? Approved extending the contract for student accident insurance coverage for 2017-2018.

? Approved regular board meeting minutes from March 23, 2017.

? Approved the new job description for a College and Career Coach.

? Approved the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 non-resident contracts for incoming students (Bourbon County).

? Approved intent to apply for Born Learning Communities grant (Simpsonville Elementary School).

? Approved intent to apply for the Reading Recovery Teacher Leader Grant (District).

? Approved leave of absence requests.

? Approved to allow Southside Elementary School 5th grade students to use common carrier transportation for a field trip (May 18, 2017).

? Approved waiving Board Policy to allow Shelby County High School JROTC students to travel on Sunday (July 23, 2017).

? Went into closed session for the for the purpose of discussing proposed or pending litigation and for the purpose of discussing student disciplinary action.