CIP plans measure reward attendance, academic progress

Andalusia Elementary School is using positive reinforcement to encourage students to get to school on time, and it’s working.

That’s just one of the measurements outlined in continuous improvement plans (CIP) for the elementary, junior high, and high schools Tuesday night. CIP plans target areas for improvement, and detail.

AES principal Alane Brunson explained that some goals are measured weekly, others every two weeks.

“Attendance, we measure once each month through attendance parties,” she said.

When AES opened for the 2014-15 school years, new traffic patterns were set to accommodate the increased traffic of having sixth graders on the campus for the first time.

“With the new traffic patterns, people were getting there later, and we had as many as 70 students per day who were tardy.”

But monthly attendance parties have changed that, she said. To be included in the party, a student can have no absences, no tardies, and no early check-outs.

“Today, coming back from a holiday, we may have had three tardies,” she said.

To date, students have been rewarded for perfect attendance with a movie and popcorn, and with a karaoke party.

“We had that one in two sessions because the groups were large,” she said. “Cathy Powell helped us organize it and the kids loved it.”

In other business, the board:

• Hired Gina Kuhn as AES special ed teacher, replacing Patty Meyer, who retired.

• Hired Amy Mikel as an AES special ed paraprofessional, replacing Kuhn.

• Approved an extended leave of absence for Candace Hudson, bus driver.

 

 

• Adopted a no-charge policy for meals. However, those who forget their lunch money will be given a nominal meal or snack.