Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Schools Update: Educators share successes, concerns with Harrisburg School Board.

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A surprise awaited students at Scott Elementary School when they returned from winter break. Their science laboratory, which they use for STEM lessons, received a fresh coat of paint and decorations, thanks the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

This “great gift” excited the students and teachers, said Eugene Spells, Scott Elementary School principal in a presentation to the Harrisburg School District Board meeting Tuesday night.

Harrisburg Education Association President Jody Barksdale also spoke to the board, following up HEA’s concerns regarding support for students and teachers.

“Students ask me, ‘When are we going back to the science lab?,’” said Spells.

The laboratory will be dedicated next month to African American biologist Ernest Everett Just in recognition of his groundbreaking research and humble beginnings, Spells said.

The fraternity brothers, who attended the meeting, mentor about 40 boys in kindergarten through fourth grade twice a month.

“Having men come in and work with young boys is important. So many of the teachers and mentors they already have are women,” Superintendent Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney said.

Last week, the kids and mentors spoke about dreams. Soon, the kids will learn how to tie ties, Spells said.

During the public comment section, Barksdale asked the board to raise hands to indicate if they read the more than 100 letters she delivered to them in December. Students and teachers wrote these letters to show board members what daily problems they face.

Board President Danielle Robinson said she “read each and every one” last month. Tonight, about half of the board members raised their hands.

Robinson told Barksdale the board is putting together a plan together, which they will work on during an executive session meeting next week.

Barksdale said a response from the school board has taken longer than expected.

“It’s good to know things are progressing,” she said.

The academic achievement expectations created by the state-imposed Recovery Plan are unrealistic, she said.

“We are trying to give real-life examples of why it’s difficult to achieve those expectations,” she said.

The Recovery Plan outlines goals and initiatives for all aspects of the district, including finances, workplace development and education.

The education goals show large gaps to fill. For example, the graduation rate should reach within two percentage points of the state’s average, 84 percent, according to the 2016 version of the plan. For this school year, the district is required to have a graduation rate of 74 percent, when 52 percent of students graduated in the 2014-2015 school year.

Chief Recovery Officer Dr. Audrey Utley said the district has completed about 60 percent of the Recovery Plan’s initiatives. Next month the CRO will complete a semi-annual report that will outline the remaining initiatives to attain in the recovery process.

Author: Danielle Roth

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