Pocahontas County Students Do Exceptionally Well in Regional Literature Fair

During the January 9^th Pocahontas County BOE Meeting, Stephanie Burns, the Reading Coach for the schools, told the board members that 85 students submitted reading projects for the County Literature Fair, and 35 were selected to be submitted to the Regional Literature Fair, At the Regional Fair, Pocahontas County students had 18 first place winners, including 3 who won Best of Show awards. She pointed out that there were only 8 Best of Show Awards given in the entire state.

Burns said the Literature Fair is an opportunity for students to demonstrate their love for a book.

Burns also updated the board members on the implementation progress of the Third Grade Success Act. She said the act provides for screening and bench marks for reading and math, and ensures students who are below their grade proficiency level will receive extra help, and the eight member Pocahontas Implementation Team will ensure that parents are kept in the loop about their child’s progress, and that teachers are trained in implementing the science of reading. You can learn more about the 3^rd Grade Success Act by reading our story entitled “Third Grade Success Act Advancing Elementary Literacy and Math” dated December13th on our website Alleghenymountainradio.org.

During her Superintendent’s Report to the board, Lynne Bostic talked about the development of next school year’s Calander. She said that a survey questionnaire is being sent to students, parents and staff to get their opinions of things such as when should school start next year; when to hold Spring Break; just how important is Spring Break, and questions about staff professional learning days. Bostic said the completed calendar will be first presented to the board at the February 20^th BOE meeting.

Additionally at this meeting:

• The Board Members approved routing financial reports.
• They approved an agreement with Neola to provide Neola Select Service. It was pointed out that it would cost more to hire someone to review their proposed policies to ensure they met all legal and state requirements, then to use NEOLA to do that.
• They approved Neola Policy 2266 regarding non-discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities.
• The board authorized an MOU with the Regional Math Field Day, and another MOU with Marshall University regarding Dual Credits.
• They also approved two new Parent and Community Volunteers, one for Marlinton Elementary School, and one for Hillsboro Elementary School.

Additionally, the members reviewed and approved the list of personnel actions that the school administration had recommended.

During the Matters of the Board, member Sam Gibson remarked that parents he has talked to believe things are going well at the schools; Member Becky Campbell said the program to conduct college tours for seniors is moving forward; and Board President Sue Hollandsworth announced that the now twice postponed because of weather LSIC board meeting at Hillsboro Elementary School is being rescheduled for May 7^th, so hopefully that date will be clear of ice and snow.

Their next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 30^th at Marlinton Elementary School. With the LSIC meeting beginning at 3:00 pm and the regular meeting at 4:15 pm, weather permitting, of course.