By Tim Alsobrooks
Paris, Tenn.- Discussion of the inclement weather policy was a big topic at Tuesday night’s Paris Special School District as the policy as originally adopted said the first three missed days due to inclement weather would not be made up.
Board chairman Richard Edwards reviewed the ordinance passed in May of 2014 which said the first three days would not be made up and the board is allowed to make changes as need be.
Edwards said, “I think we just need to discuss it from time to time and let our parents and everyone know what our plan is if miss more than 3 days.”
Board member Bill Jelks said, “We could eliminate this and just say we are going to go 180 period, if we have to go later in May, or whatever.”
Board member Jon Davidson said, “We could add four or five days of possible school to the end of the calendar after Memorial Day and let parents and everyone know these could be used as make up days and use those before using up Spring break.”
Director of Schools Dr. Norma Gerrell said the district’s Calendar Committee and county’s Calendar Committee are set to meet December 5th for the upcoming school year calendar discussion. The board decided for now to leave the policy as is but discuss it again after the holidays and when they are ready to adopt next year’s calendar.
–In other business, the weekend backpack program was discussed as well. The unit cost per bag has risen to $3 per bag to fill the baggies that go into the backpack.
Gerrell said there are 39 more students served in the program this year plus the increase of unit prices pushed the Pre-K thru 2nd grade totals to over $33,000.
The popularity of the program has grown and more parents are opting in for their students to receive the snacks in their backpacks. All students who qualify for free lunch can choose to opt in. Dr. Gerrell said, “We’ve not got any of the Rotary monetary donations yet or some other donations, so we don’t know exactly where we stand with donations.”
Dr. Gerrell said 80 students in third grade said they’d like the snacks over fall break. The food raised in the Rotary Club donation was used to help fill the third grade need for fall break and it has depleted the food donations for now. The board decided to continue with serving PreK through second grade the rest of the year and continue to watch costs and donations in the spring. They will discuss adding third grade again later this school year.
–Eighth grade science and ag teach Carrie Jones talked to board about her involvement this fall with the WestTeach program, a regional teaching program similar to WestStar for business professionals. Jones was very complimentary to the program saying the sharing of points and ideas in the classroom across the region is a great asset and there have only been positive results for everyone.
Paris, Tenn.- Discussion of the inclement weather policy was a big topic at Tuesday night’s Paris Special School District as the policy as originally adopted said the first three missed days due to inclement weather would not be made up.
Board chairman Richard Edwards reviewed the ordinance passed in May of 2014 which said the first three days would not be made up and the board is allowed to make changes as need be.
Edwards said, “I think we just need to discuss it from time to time and let our parents and everyone know what our plan is if miss more than 3 days.”
Board member Bill Jelks said, “We could eliminate this and just say we are going to go 180 period, if we have to go later in May, or whatever.”
Board member Jon Davidson said, “We could add four or five days of possible school to the end of the calendar after Memorial Day and let parents and everyone know these could be used as make up days and use those before using up Spring break.”
Director of Schools Dr. Norma Gerrell said the district’s Calendar Committee and county’s Calendar Committee are set to meet December 5th for the upcoming school year calendar discussion. The board decided for now to leave the policy as is but discuss it again after the holidays and when they are ready to adopt next year’s calendar.
–In other business, the weekend backpack program was discussed as well. The unit cost per bag has risen to $3 per bag to fill the baggies that go into the backpack.
Gerrell said there are 39 more students served in the program this year plus the increase of unit prices pushed the Pre-K thru 2nd grade totals to over $33,000.
The popularity of the program has grown and more parents are opting in for their students to receive the snacks in their backpacks. All students who qualify for free lunch can choose to opt in. Dr. Gerrell said, “We’ve not got any of the Rotary monetary donations yet or some other donations, so we don’t know exactly where we stand with donations.”
Dr. Gerrell said 80 students in third grade said they’d like the snacks over fall break. The food raised in the Rotary Club donation was used to help fill the third grade need for fall break and it has depleted the food donations for now. The board decided to continue with serving PreK through second grade the rest of the year and continue to watch costs and donations in the spring. They will discuss adding third grade again later this school year.
–Eighth grade science and ag teach Carrie Jones talked to board about her involvement this fall with the WestTeach program, a regional teaching program similar to WestStar for business professionals. Jones was very complimentary to the program saying the sharing of points and ideas in the classroom across the region is a great asset and there have only been positive results for everyone.
The program is offered through UT Martin, and teachers must be submitted by principals and superintendents to take part. She talked about the Inman Greenhouse which has been a big success and currently they have tomatoes, spinach, basil, turnips, and some ornamental plants growing. They have shared this with other teachers across the region.