By KATE COIL
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
—
TAZEWELL, Va. — School officials in Tazewell County are hoping to see a slight increase in enrollment when students return to the classroom Thursday.
“Some of our schools preliminary reports are seeing a slight increase in student enrollment, though it’s hard to tell because things don’t usually level off until after Labor Day,” School Superintendent Dr. Brenda Lawson said.
Lawson is also looking forward to working with the 16 new teachers who have joined the school system.
“We look forward to having these new teachers join our ranks,” she said. “We look forward to working with them to serve the needs of our students. Every day, I am amazed by our teachers and their commitment and ability to ensure our students are successful.”
Some schools in Tazewell County will be seeing new physical additions for the new school year.
“We have done some additional modifications on some of our schools and we are continually working on improving the physical parts of the schools,” Lawson said.
A new reading program will also begin during the new school year for elementary students, sponsored by the Elgin Foundation and the Students Reading Foundation.
“We are also implementing a program with reading,” Lawson said. “Our goal over the next few years is that 90 percent of children will be reading on or above grade level when they exit third grade. Our principals and school board had training and all primary school teachers will have a three-day training program. We are very excited and hope all of Tazewell County will partner with us to have children reading for 20 minutes a day. I’m excited about partnering with the two foundations. It’s going to be a major undertaking.”
High and middle schools are also working with the state department on a new literacy program as part of the Content Literacy Continuum grant sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education and the University of Kansas.
“This program will establish a school-wide approach to improve literacy in secondary education to meet higher educational standards,” Lawson said.
Other bullying and disciplinary programs will be continued and expanded within the county, such as the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program.
“We started this program in 2009 and implemented it at the three middle schools,” Lawson said. “This program is used at school, in the classroom and on an individual level to reach out to parents and the community. Basically, it is designed to improve peer relations and make school safer and a more positive place for students to develop.”
The Effective School Discipline Program begun by the Commonwealth of Virginia will also slowly be expanding into Tazewell County Schools.
“It is a Virginia program to institute positive academic and personal development for students,” Lawson said. “Eventually, all schools will be implementing this program. The program is research based and utilizes preventative and proactive plan for discipline to decrease office referrals and focus more on teaching and learning.”
Overall, Lawson is looking forward to a good school year.
“Certainly, my hope is our students have a successful and productive learning experience,” she said.
— Contact Kate Coil at kcoil@bdtonline.com
