The Shelby Board of Education recognized high school teacher Barbara Gonzales on her retirement after 30 years of service to Shelby City Schools. In other action, Shelby High School student council updated the board on recent activity that the student council has participated in. And Assistant Superintendent/Curriculum Director Paul Walker gave an update on Race to the Top.
The Shelby Board of Education also recognized donations made towards Shelby City Schools. The Class of 1982, Shelby Pointe, and JAG Health Care donated $900 towards the motorized flag in the high school in the new gym. Superintendent Tim Tarvin stated that $1,200 was donated to Dowds Elementary by an anonymous donor.
“The $1,200 donation will fund the fourth grade trip to Progressive Field. We are always appreciative of these donations,” said Tarvin.
As the board recognized Gonzales on her retirement, Tarvin said, “We wanted to recognize her for all of her years of service. We appreciate everything you have done for our kids over the years.”
An emotional Gonzales shared her thoughts on her time spent at Shelby High School. “I am grateful for the years that I have had here at the high school. I am also so thankful for having the opportunity to work under some great administrators and some fantastic teachers. More than anything I am grateful for having the opportunity to work with some great kids and watching them grow,” said Gonzales.
Shelby student council presented some activities that are in the works for the council, including a dodge ball tournament before spring break. “Sometimes the money goes to United Way, but it just depends on where the need is. We also sell popcorn at the boys’ basketball games and as of now we have made $2,000,” said student council member Jared Hostetler.
Student council member Madison Wagner shared that student council members from Norwalk High School visited and shadowed the Shelby student council. “Nineteen students came and toured the building while spending the day with our student council members. On Friday, 25 students from Shelby student council will be visiting Norwalk. We will discuss topics on how Norwalk runs their student council and how they do different activities around the school,” said Wagner.
Walker provided a detailed update on Race to the Top.
“We always continue to go back and look at our goals. Goal one is about the new learning standards that are being fully implemented this year and we will be assessed next school year. Another new thing coming next year will be Kindergarten Readiness Assessment. We will be starting to talk to kindergarten teachers in March about this and in August we will have a two day training on this assessment,” said Walker.
Walker said that the testing window was extended for state achievement assessments in grades three through eight. “We are happy to hear about that because that gives teachers another week to work with students. The bad thing for high school OGT is that those dates must stay the same because of graduation requirements and getting results in,” said Walker.
