The Shadow
Three innovative programs in the Covington School System have been featured in the Virginia School Boards Association “Showcases of Success.”
Throughout Virginia, 83 programs from 43 school divisions were submitted by superintendents and staff as appropriate showcases for the good things happening in public education.
Covington’s programs included the Implementation of Instructional Technology, Take Home Reading Program and Cougar Pride.
Technology
In August 2009, students, teachers and staff in Covington began classes in the new Edgemont Primary and Jeter-Watson Intermediate schools on Indian Valley Road.
The schools are equipped with the most up-to-date technology presently available to schools throughout the United States.
Technology available includes wall-mounted SmartBoards in all classrooms, ceiling mounted LCD projectors, wall-mounted 32-inch flat screen televisions, updated computers, an enhanced audio amplification system with ceiling mounted speakers, telephones in each classroom, state-of-the-art computer labs and an audio-visual control room serving both schools.
Teachers at Jeter-Watson Intermediate School incorporate technology into their daily lessons. SmartBoard Interactive Notebooks are used for group activities; webquests and ewbhunts are performed via the interactive web; and United Streaming video clips are available.
In addition, students create their own PowerPoint presentations and Study Island, Nova Net, Portaportal are utilized.
Students also prepare and deliver their self-produced broadcasts and announcements.
Take Home Reading Program
In 2006, Edgemont Primary School received a special Reading First Grant that provided the school with new library books.
In the 2008-2009 school year, students read over 17,000 books – quite an accomplishment in a school with only 325 students.
To celebrate the success, students were treated to a morning of special activities. The theme was “Treasure Tales.”
Students used a treasure map to find their treasure.
There were 10 different areas on the playground they had to dig up or find their next clue. Some of the areas were a plank to walk over the sharks, digging for clues on a beach and other activities.
The goal for the 2009-2010 school year is 18,000 books.
The theme this year “Short Stories.”
For every 1,000 books read, the principal will wear a pair of bibbed overalls and the legs of the pants will be cut shorter and shorter. By the end of the year, the overalls will be quite short and the principal will wear them if the students meet their goal.
The reading program owes its success to a strong connection that is formed between educators and parents. The parents and the school are working together to establish good reading skills and instill the idea that reading is a fun activity that all can share.
Cougar Pride
The faculty and administration of Covington High School have developed a school-wide positive discipline program.
The program, dubbed “Cougar Pride,” focuses on creating a safe and orderly environment which is a key component of the Seven Correlates of Effective Schools.
All students at CHS begin the school year as members of Cougar Pride. Students enjoy numerous privileges and rewards at CHS as long as their behavior merits.
Privileges and rewards include free admission to all regular season athletic events, participating in all school assemblies, participate in all school pep rallies, attend all school dances, participate in all school-sponsored field trips, be allowed to drive a car to school as well as cell phone or I-Pod use during the lunch period.
Other rewards include ice cream parties and early dismissal for lunch.
The students at CHS lose their Cougar Pride status if they accumulate too many disciplinary infractions.
However, they can return to Cougar Pride by completing a six-week period of no infractions and regaining all of the privileges and rewards.
CHS Principal Bobby McClintic said students, teachers and parents have embraced the program and he has seen a decrease in behavioral problems at the school since Cougar Pride has been initiated.
