School Improvement Committees

Last night I presented a project overview to the School Improvement Committee at Lugoff-Elgin High School.  This was my second SIC meeting in as many weeks (the other being at Stover Middle), and I was impressed with the support of the project’s activities expressed by the parents and administrators on these committees.  There is no doubt that the SS/HS Initiative is helping change the climate in our schools!

PBIS @ Jackson Elementary

This morning I attended a PBIS Celebration at Jackson Elementary School. Principal Matia Goodwin said to me “PBIS really works!” as we watched the 1st-graders who had earned a trip to the “party room” dance and have a great time. Mrs. Goodwin is right, PBIS really is working in our schools, and we have a documented 15% drop in office discipline referrals to prove it!

Kershaw County Golden Club

Yesterday I was the guest presenter at The Kershaw County Golden Club in Camden. I always gauge the success (or lack thereof!) of my presentations by the questions I receive afterwards. These gentlemen may be in their “golden years”, but they haven’t lost a bit of their sharpness and concern for our community. Thank you for your hospitality and insights, I really appreciate it!

American Legion Post 17

Last night I had the privilege of addressing Camden’s American Legion Post 17 on the grant’s activities and achievements. Their hospitality, fellowship and overall interest in the grant were impressive, and I’m humbled at their kind words and support.

The Elgin News

This week’s edition of “The Elgin News” features an interview I gave as a summary of the grant.  I hope you’ll take the time to pick up a copy, or you can just click the link here:  Elgin News August 31, 2011

Another CI Article

Attached is another article on the grant’s activities.   The programs and initatives of this grant are really taking hold and starting to get some impressive results.  I hope you’ll take the time to read this article CI School Board Grant Update Article 8-19-11 (2).

Camp Emmanuel

Attached is a copy of an article in Friday’s Chronicle-Independent about Camp Emmanuel, one of the 3 active Summer Programs sponsored by the grant. Great job and kudos to CE and all of the summer programs seeking to make a difference in our kids’ lives! 

Camp Emmanuel helps parents connect with their children

More PBIS Good News!

I’ve been invited to present on Kershaw County’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) efforts and results at the next Safe Schools / Healthy Students national meeting in July.  This will be the second time I’ve been invited to give such a presentation, the last time being regarding our Substance Abuse Intervention efforts.  It’s almost unheard of for a project in inly its second year to be invited to give these kinds of presentations, much less to do it twice on two different topics.  This should speak volumes about our local project and the impact this grant is having on our students.

Transitions & Truancy Services

Here’s a link to a recent post from Dr. Frank Morgan’s daily blog regarding the Transitions & Truancy Services component of the grant.  We’re very proud of the job Paula, Celia and Doris are doing in our schools.  They’re working hard to identify and assist students before they become chronic truants.  This not only keeps the attendance %’s higher in our schools, but more importantly keeps the students in class with less chance to fall behind accademically. 

Great job, ladies!  Keep it up!

Youth Court

The latest session of Youth Court is tonight. This is a diversion program where first-time, non-violent offenders are prosecuted, defended, and “sentenced” by a jury of their peers. All participants (except the presiding judge and adult coaches) are youth. Youth Court is a highly successful restorative justice model for adjudicating certain offenses and is far less costly to the taxpayer than the Family Court system.