Newspaper Page Text
Page 8 - Friday, April 7, 2023
The Jenkins County Times
thej enkinscountytimes .com
JENKINS COUNTY SCHOOLS
Upcoming Dates in School
April 14 - Prom
May 26 - Last Day/Early Release/
Graduation
Elementary students visit GA Aquarium
By Joe Brady, Editor
for
The Times
Ms. Kent’s and Ms. Fields’ SpEd class, consisting of kindergarten thru fourth grade recently went
on a field trip to the GA Aquarium in Atlanta. Mrs. Fields said, “this trip was a once in a lifetime experience for our
students. Many of them were in awe of the “tall towers” in Atlanta before we arrived at the Georgia Aquarium.”
To finance the trip, sponsors graciously donated so the students were able to eat lunch at the aquarium instead of taking
a sack lunch from the school. “We want to thank all or our sponsors for their generosity. In addition to lunch, each student
received a $25 souvenir of their choice from the aquarium gift shop,” Fields continues. Kelly Tours took the students
because of the constant access to restroom facilities.
Those sponsors who graciously made the trip something to remember are: Dairy Queen, Jenkins County Times,
Ogeechee Peaches, Spring Creek Auction, Suggs Lawn Care, Jaws Inc, Bob Kent, Kenny Clarke, Marie Lank, Neal
Hardware, US Silica.
Pruitt Bethany celebrates Doctor’s Day
Staff from Pruitt Bethany celebrated local area doctor’s day by delivering gift baskets to Dr’s Prakul Chandra and Kyle
Gay. Pictures include Sherri Adams and Tammy Royal with PruittBethany. (photo contributed)
Mrs. Sims' Third Grade Class of Jenkins County Elementary enjoy having some Easter Fun. Easter is Sunday, April 9, 2023.
Carpet Cleaning!
3 rooms + Hall
$140 Call 706-871-7470
EAGLE
NOTES
Tara Cooper
Superintendant
Jenkins County School
System
Spring Break! Such a beautiful time to recharge, refresh,
and renew! When I was a Special Education teacher in
Burke County years ago, I called Spring Break “IEP
writing break.” There was never enough time during the
school day to get it all done. Our Individual Education
Plans for our students were always due in April. I
distinctly remember writing and updating twenty-eight
IEPs in that one week one year! I felt like I always missed
out on that break back then with my head buried in goals
and data. I, of course, would rather read books. But now,
oh joy, it’s a beautiful week! And I can read all I want!
In the interest of going from good to great (which is, if
you are an avid Eagle News reader, a frequent theme),
I will tell you that we are beginning a push for Early
Learning awareness and preparation by our school system.
An opportunity is coming up for our parents of three- and
four-year-olds to come over, bring the children, and share
food, fun, fellowship, and learning! Learning about what
our little ones need to know before starting school. A time
to share what parents can do at home with these babies so
they are prepared for school.
Another idea that we have been discussing is a “library
bus,” that can be driven around our community to let
students and parents borrow books and do literacy
activities. It would be kind of like the bookmobile of old. I
still remember the musty “book” smell of the bookmobile
back in the day. I loved that minibus! Our plan is to
investigate other counties that have the traveling book bus,
and hopefully get Jenkins County rolling soon.
Research is clear that children who are not proficient
readers by the third-grade struggle with future learning
and suffer long term effects including poor performance
in school and then employment difficulties. We, in the
Jenkins County Schools, hope to address the “readiness
gap” as well. Educational research has also shown that
children with lower socioeconomic backgrounds are at a
disadvantage because of the differences in availability of
resources and are not equipped with the same language
and early learning skills as other children. Our drive will
be to put books in children’s hands and support parents
with the skills to work with their little ones.
We have not filled our Prekindergarten classes yet.
Our registration started in March. That is a concern and
precisely why we need to focus diligently on the early
learning process. Our goal is to have students reading
on grade level by the time they reach third grade. Our
elementary school teachers are in place, will receive more
training, and are willing to face the challenges of our
reading goals! We need the children and parents on board
as well. I will say it again and again, never underestimate
the abilities of our students. It can be done.
Our media center is chock full of books in all genres for
all age groups! Encourage our children to read!
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Cjowt County
CjcWi Paper
478-401-5007
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