JCHS staff dress up

Shown are the faculty and staff of Jenkins County Elementary School who recently dressed up as scarecrows. (Photo contributed)

Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES) was transformed into a field of scarecrows Friday, Nov. 2. All of the faculty and staff dressed up in scarecrow costumes as a reward for the students earning 6,500 Accelerated Reader points with an 85 average during the first nine weeks of school. Studies have shown that the more children read, the better they do in all school areas. JCES strives to provide students with the best opportunities for learning; therefore the school utilizes the Accelerated Reader (AR) program as a reading motivational program. AR allows students to read leveled books and take reading comprehension tests on the computers. The program is designed to encourage students to read more by rewarding them for the points that they earn. The more books they read, the more points they get. Students must also maintain an 80 average. JCES does not give grades for this program, but instead uses it as a supplement to the regular reading curriculum.

Point goals are based on the grade level of the child and are determined by the JCES Media/ Technology Committee, based on the recommendations of the AR program. The first nine weeks goals were: first grade, three points; second grade, five points; third grade, six points; fourth grade, seven points; and fifth grade, eight points. All the point goals are doubled for the second through fourth nine weeks. Point goals are less for the first nine weeks, as it takes several weeks at the beginning of school to get all the students set up in the AR computer program. The school goal for the year is 30,000 points. The school goals for each nine weeks are set at 6,500 points for the first nine weeks; 8,000 points for the second and third nine weeks; and 7,500 points for the fourth nine weeks.

Each nine weeks students who meet their goal with an 80 or higher average will receive an extra recess with a frozen treat and their name on the AR wall of fame. Students who double their goal will also get to watch a movie and enjoy a snack. Students who get the highest points in their grade level and those who have the highest AR grade point average will be given a cool AR prize and will be recognized at the nine weeks assembly. Students who meet their yearly goal will get to go to the end-of-the-year bash with the moonwalks and other games. Students who earn 125 points or more will receive an AR T-shirt and certificate during the JCES honors program in May. The student with the highest amount of points for the year will receive a prize from the Queensborough Bank and will have their picture immortalized on the JCES AR Hall of Fame. Every nine weeks that the school reaches the school goal, the students in the two grades with the highest amount of points will vote on how the teachers are to dress up. If the school reaches 30,000 points, the principal, Dr. Judy Holton, will dress up in a costume voted on by the grade with the highest yearly points.

During the first nine weeks over 350 students met their AR goal and over 200 doubled their goal. The grade level winners are: first grade, Marley Knight, highest points (44.6) and highest average (98); second grade, Alexis Scott, highest points (49.3) and Stefan Roberson, highest average (98.7); third grade, Tyriq Carrie, highest points (44.6) and Tyler Washington, highest average ( 97.1); fourth grade, Lawson Holton, highest points (111.7) and highest average (97.1); and fifth grade, Colton Sharkey, highest points (64.6) and Tori Becton, highest average (98.) Lawson Holton holds the record for the most points earned in the first nine weeks with his 111.7 points.

Parents may view how their children are doing in the Accelerated Reading program by logging on to the school's AR site at https://hosted24.renlearn.- com/707254. If you do not have a parent account, contact Sylvia Gay at 982-5503 or e-mail her at ssgay@jchs.com to request a parent account.