The Martinsville City School Board met on May 13 to watch presentations from students and close out the school year. During the meeting, awards were presented to lunch staff, and the Virginia Literacy Act Plan was adopted.
Assistant Superintendent of Instruction Dr. Angilee Downing presented information about the act, which was passed in 2002 by the General Assembly to address reading proficiency concerns. Since COVID-19 shuttered schools, concerns about reading proficiency have risen.
“The Virginia Literacy Act provides guidelines and resources and requirements for schools division to work on addressing the concerns with reading proficiencies with students,” said Downing. “Tailored interventions cultivate perseverance and literacy identities by empowering success through research-based language arts development. We prepare life-long learners ready to effectively communicate ideas that shape their evolving world.”
Downing said that literacy is a life skill and has a great influence on students’ options going forward.
She also noted the schools will gain access to approved instructional materials. Materials are selected with the help of teachers in K-5.
“We have also trained our special education and English learner teachers in the science of reading, we really got a head start on this,” said Downing. Patrick Henry Elementary School received a grant to provide professional development for teachers and staff at the school. Once staff completes training, they will bring back the knowledge to schools.
Noting that the state finally adopted a budget for the upcoming fiscal year, Schools Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley said, “This is good news for us,” because soon, the division will know how much funding the state will provide for the year.
Martinsville City has yet to confirm its budget for the schools, but the city recently had a budget presentation for the public and is working to finalize it.
A presentation by MHC After 3, Upward Bound, and Talent Search students underscored the importance of educational programs. A robotics demonstration was also put on by middle school robotics students. City schools will close for the summer on May 22.
In other matters, the board:
*Recognized Robotics Teams Competition.
*Recognized Odyssey of the Mind Team Competition.
*Recognized Nutrition Staff.
*Recognized Liz Lynch as a Virginia finalist for the Presidential Math & Science Teaching Awards.
