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Leading in the Right Direction

By Halley, Heath on September 26, 2018

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Education comes from a Latin word, educere, meaning “to lead forth”.  Our challenge is to make sure we’re leading our students in the right direction. To do that we need first to meet them where they are today. Here is what we know about our where our kids are right now, Fall of 2018:

67% of our elementary students are at-risk

63% of our middle school students are at-risk

61% of our high school students are at-risk

8% of our students are receiving outside mental health care, a number which we believe to be low due to the availability of care, its cost, and transportation issues.

At-risk is defined by several cultural factors.  Fifty percent of our kids are eligible for free and reduced lunch; this number does not reflect the many families too proud to fill out the paperwork.  Eleven percent of students do not live with either a mother or father; 42% of these children are living in divorced or single-parent homes. Buying books and talking about current events doesn’t happen much in homes struggling to pay the light bill. Time and energy are also at a premium as parents and grandparents push themselves to work extra hours to make ends meet. When resources at home are scarce for these kids, it’s reflected in their academic preparedness.

Vocabulary plays a major part in the cognitive development and student success in the classroom. Children living in at-risk situations do not participate in lively conversations like their more advantaged counterparts. By the time students enter kindergarten, children from poor families have heard only half as many words as their middle-class counterparts. The disparity increases in comparison to upper-income families. This lack of exposure to a rich and interesting vocabulary can leave students behind in academic conversations.

Many students who cannot understand the words in their texts will resist reading altogether. In addition, students will refuse to participate in discussions they do not understand simply because they do not want to ask for clarification. According to ldonline.org, it is not uncommon that children who struggle with academics  would “rather look naughty than stupid.”

We know the students walking through our doors each day bring with them all kinds of baggage.  In order to lead them toward a better, brighter future we are committed to first meet their basic needs, then address academics.  Breakfast in the classroom is provided first thing every day to each student at no charge. We have three counselors on staff and are working with Preferred Healthcare from Kirksville to get a therapist on site at least one day per week. Our full-time school nurse in addition to outreach efforts such as the mobile dental clinic and our local health department manage physical wellness. Ultimately, providing a safe, clean environment for each student is our goal.

Once basic needs are met, our academic focus begins with early childhood education in our Pre K program, increased emphasis on reading in both elementary and remedial programs as needed in middle or high school.  STEM, science, technology, engineering, and math are integrated into our science and math programs, to challenge and prepare our students for the future. There is no point at which good enough is acceptable. Whether a student has fallen behind or has just come to the district with some academic deficits, it is our objective to lead them forward to their grade level and beyond.  Numerous activities ranging from Art Club, FFA, Band and various Sports give Putnam County students opportunities to fit in and find their own tribe. That chance to be a member of a group or team and a sense of belonging is often the incentive that keeps a struggling student on the right track. With the help of members of the community, our outstanding staff and faculty, and our dedicated School Board, we will lead this year’s 650 students forward.  These kids are depending on us. We won’t let them down.