Robbinsville – Officials with Robbinsville Elementary School made one thing abundantly clear Sept. 13: the facility is working every day toward the betterment of each and every pupil.
Administrators and faculty spent more than one hour with 20-25 parents and family members at a Q&A session coined the “Breakfast of Champions.” Principal Jaime Hooper said she wanted to use the term “champions” to make those in attendance feel more supported by the school.
A catered breakfast was available for anyone who showed up for the 9 a.m. start time at the Robbinsville Elementary School gymnasium, as well as several helpful bits of paperwork that included a feedback form to fill out, tips on conversation starters with children and even a flyer with suggestions for a consistent bedtime routine.
Following brief introductions, the session was opened for questions.
And parents came ready.
A lengthy breakdown of meditation – or the process of analyzing an individual student who has been identified as having struggles in the classroom – dominated the bulk of the forum.
One parent expressed concern over the amount of the time a child has to be in meditation before being referred to an outside source. Hooper cited COVID-19 quarantines as one major factor that could slow growth – or even cause setbacks – and estimated the preferred time in meditation is 12-16 weeks.
One question posed was the attendance policy for early releases. District-wide, attendance has became an issue since the outset of the pandemic forced at-home instruction in March 2020. Even though all schools are back to an in-person curriculum, the problem still lingers.
“Unless we have scheduled an early release, students are counted present for a full day,” he said. “If something like a water break (which did occur just a few weeks ago, forcing an early closure of all schools) or a 2-hour delay happens, we had intended on students being here a full day, so it does not count against them.”
As a follow-up, assistant principal Warren Knott mapped out a plan for a new points system that hopes to entice better attendance. Rewards at the end of each nine-week period could include trips and activities.
“I feel like when you take away competition, you devalue what you’re trying to accomplish,” he said. “Hopefully, this will make kids more excited about coming to school.
“School should be fun; it should not be all about testing.”
Volunteers at the school were also discussed. Hooper said a volunteer would have to be cleared by the Graham County Board of Education (and normally are at each monthly meeting), but that they are welcome. Applications are available at the central office.
Sentiments were also expressed to help revive the PTA, which has fell to the wayside over the last few years. Hooper and Knott both said they had information on how to join.