Much of our Coalfield School story this week will discuss our plan to improve on our school’s letter grade. I feel, as part of our One-Heartbeat culture, which we continue to try and improve, it is important that our parents and community are informed so that they can be involved and provide positive influence. We will meet with my principal coach on Monday to organize and develop a timeline to accomplish the plan.
Ms. Sheila Harvey and Ms. Dee Dee Harrison Wallace continued to layout our 30 day plan for TNReady testing with teachers. They met with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers to discuss student data and the plan to help them grow in achievement on the TNReady test. As part of our plan to prepare and get our students excited about doing their best on the test, we will organize a pep rally for the TnReady. I have spoken to Ms. Kristi Jackson about her middle school cheerleading team leading the pep rally. I have ordered a TNReady Top Achievers Banner for both our elementary and middle school. Top achievers from 2022-2023 will be recognized during this year’s pep rally or school assembly as they will add their name to the banner. The banner will have blank columns for future TnReady top achievers. (Banners are attached for your viewing) Our hope is to encourage students to be at school, focus in class, study, and work hard to get their names on the banner. Much in the same way they would achieve a sports accolade. Once the banners are full, we will hang them in the gym just like we would sports banners. Top Achievers, for elementary and middle school, will be determined by what the state has communicated to schools as the criteria we must meet to achieve a positive letter grade. The state has communicated to us that, approximately 80% of this criteria revolves around how students score on the math and reading parts of the TNReady. In short, if schools are to receive a good letter grade, we must have a high rate of achievement in reading and math. Thus, our top achievers criteria will follow that mandate from the state. For high school, the high percentage the state has mandated on math and English is consistent with elementary and middle school. Therefore, EOC top achievers criteria will be consistent as well. However, it might be, in my humble opinion, as important for our school to make sure our students are Ready Graduates or College and Career Ready. For high school students to achieve this recognition, there are certain criteria the state requires that they meet. That being said, the high school banner will include a column for those students who score a 21 or higher on the ACT, a 31 or higher on the ASVAB (military exam), or an industry certification from CTE/ TCAT. Ready Graduate status can be achieved in several ways but the accomplishments listed above can drastically improve a student’s chance of achieving it. It’s something students, parents, and staff need to consider starting Freshman year and throughout a student’s high school journey.
I again, had the pleasure of visiting classrooms this week. Ms. Jennifer Wright Basler littles were playing bean bag sight words. Ms. Jennifer has a lot of game-like, learning activities. Students would toss the bean bag and talk about the word it landed near. Ms. Susan Bates and Ms. Susan Long, aka Granny to our littles, had some helpers during their math learning activity. During my visit, students were talking to Ms. Susan about what they had learned during the instruction. Mr. Zach Stewart’s science students were actively learning about potential and kinetic energy with rockets 
. Ms. Lana Hensley’s social studies students were actively learning about teamwork and how collaborating with others can help us as a society be more efficient and successful. I also had the privilege to sit in on Ms. Lana’s class as they learned about the Bill of Rights. Ms. Emily Payne’s reading/language arts students were practicing skills while Ms. Emily called students to her table to conduct individual, direct instruction to assess student understanding. Ms. Sara Foust’s high school students created and presented commercials in their English class. Coach Jones’ middle school STEM students were building robots and using code to program them to be autonomous (to move and operate on its own). Another grade level was designing and building during their woodworking unit.
. Ms. Lana Hensley’s social studies students were actively learning about teamwork and how collaborating with others can help us as a society be more efficient and successful. I also had the privilege to sit in on Ms. Lana’s class as they learned about the Bill of Rights. Ms. Emily Payne’s reading/language arts students were practicing skills while Ms. Emily called students to her table to conduct individual, direct instruction to assess student understanding. Ms. Sara Foust’s high school students created and presented commercials in their English class. Coach Jones’ middle school STEM students were building robots and using code to program them to be autonomous (to move and operate on its own). Another grade level was designing and building during their woodworking unit. Staff and students wore their “Nobody in this family fights alone shirts” Thursday in support Izzy Blalock on her birthday. Izzy, a 3rd grade student at Coalfield, continues to fight an unthinkable battle. Please continue to pray for this sweet little girl and her family.
Thank you to the volunteers who restocked our giving boxes at school. If anyone is in need of food, or you know someone who needs food, please feel free to access the giving boxes placed outside the school entrance.
Our high school Lady Jackets’ basketball season came to a close last night in the Regional tournament. I appreciate the hard work and dedication our student-athletes and coaches put into a season. It is hard to understand the commitment it takes unless you have done it. So, that being said, I will always have a high level of respect for our coaches, staff, and student-athletes who put in the extra time and energy required of them to do extra-curricular activities.
Please continue to pray for our school, students, staff, and their families. Some specific prayer requests are: Izzy Blalock and family, Eli Coleman and Family, Noah Jackson and family.