Students show what they know

By AMBER DILLEY
Glasgow Daily Times

GLASGOW November 21, 2008 11:09 am

— Community and school district leaders met Thursday at Park City Elementary School to lunch and learn about the good things the school is doing.
“This is so I can have an opportunity to brag on our school and our teachers, community partners and everyone who has had a hand in helping this school,” said Principal Anthony Frazier. “Since last year, Park City school has grown to be the second-largest elementary in the Barren County District. We’re right under Red Cross.”
Frazier also talked about the school’s CATS scores.
“We scored, in most categories, higher than the state average,” he said. “We’re really proud of that. Our writing is probably one of our strongest areas.”
The school scored a 104.24 in writing and the state score was an 89.23.
Attendees were treated to a school prepared lunch and presentations from students on what they’ve learned about genetics, activities with the Challenger Learning Center, the Science Fair, the Students with a Testimony Team and Kentucky Virtual High School students.
Mikayla Carter, a fifth grade student enrolled in KVHS, said the course is mostly taken by middle and high school students.
“We learn pre-algebra in the online course,” Carter said. “We are fortunate to be able to take this course. We’re completing sixth grade content and we also had above-average scores on our math tests in the spring of 2008.”
There are four students in the program and they have a virtual teacher with the KVHS program who they can e-mail if they have problems.
Students also talked about Compass Learning, how-to pieces they wrote and the Junior Achievement program.
Lori Green, Junior Achievement director for the school, said the district does a good job teaching community to the students.
“I’m so glad to see everyone here because in the third grade, our whole program is about community,” Green said. “A lot of times, the student’s perspective of community is very small, home oriented.”
The elementary Junior Achievement group teaches the students about different zones in a community, how to write a check and will be hosting a career day at the school soon.
Frazier said the most important part of keeping Park City Elementary at the top are the teachers.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with several schools in our district and they’re all wonderful,” he said. “But at Park City, the teachers focus like no other. The teachers are really unlike any others. It’s important to them that they be with the students and they have a strong focus.”

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