By Stephen Smoot
“That does not just happen. A lot of hard work goes into that.”
Ryan Lambert, principal at Brandywine Elementary School, shared this while opening the school’s Local School Improvement Council presentation to the Pendleton County Board of Education, superintendent of schools, and other school system officials.
The presentation took place after a dinner prepared by BES staff and volunteers. It featured a taco buffet, salad options, and a selection of homemade desserts. Lambert expressed his appreciation for the work and “for the fellowship.”
He opened the school’s presentation by sharing that “last year, not only Brandywine Elementary School, but Pendleton County had a very successful year.”
Lambert, who also coaches, emphasized the concept of team work in helping to bring about the school’s achievements. “When you talk about team, I can be here talking for a long time,” he said before noting that every single faculty and staff member attended the meeting.
“They understand what team is and I want to thank them,” the principal said.
Praise also was given to the BSA and PTO. Lambert stated, “We’re so lucky. It’s a luxury to have a consistent board, a consistent superintendent, and a great office staff.”
Kelly Marsh, the school’s LSIC chair, spoke next. She started the section of the presentation that focused on the details of success. She shared the results of parent surveys. Some surveys gave results of a 4.7 of five and others 4.6 out of five, with five serving as the measure of excellence.
The surveys gave parents the opportunity to give both multiple choice and written feedback on BES performance last year.
She stated that these results found “reflection in past surveys” and added “we have something special here.”
“It makes my job really easy to stand up here and give nothing but good news,” she concluded.
Aliyah Wright, who coordinates Communities in Schools at BES, spoke next. She explained that schools across West Virginia struggle to deal with the persistent problem of chronic absenteeism.
BES established a goal of 97 percent attendance this year and continues to rely on different incentive programs to keep students excited about attending school.
These include an attendance flag that travels from class to class. The class with the best attendance for a two-week period wins the flag. Classes either get 30 minutes extra recess or a special activity. The students take a great deal of pride in having the attendance flag raised outside their classroom door.
Wright shared that every single class has fulfilled the collective attendance requirements to earn a pajama party. “I wear pajamas with them,” she smiled, adding “it’s had a really positive impact on attendance.” On one day this year, every BES student attended. Only one was absent on the day of the LSIC.
Several other incentives also reward both individual and collective attendance.
Next, Joseph Eason provided some examples from innovative mathematics teaching techniques learned in July 2023 at a conference in Morgantown and applied since. The words of Lambert, “Don’t be complacent. Always strive for more,” served as part of the inspiration.
One of the techniques he applied calls upon instructors to assign tasks “with a low floor and a high ceiling.” This means that students can readily understand the concept and answer simple related questions. A high ceiling indicates that the students can apply increasingly higher levels of thought to solving it.
Eason showed a video of a group of three students standing at a white board to solve an assigned problem. He stated that teachers must “randomize” the group and use no more than three students. This keeps all involved because they do not get a chance to take on “roles” in the group, but work together equally.
Standing at the board also helps the students focus because it allows them to use extra physical energy. Eason shared that children look forward to class when they can stand, rather than sit.
When the LSIC portion of the evening closed, J. D Wilkins, board president, stated, “One of the reasons you’re successful is that you’re here. We appreciate the effort that goes with it.”
Charles Hedrick, Pendleton County Schools superintendent, said, “We have one of the top elementary schools in the state . . . that takes a lot of effort.”
After the LSIC presentation concluded, the board of education conducted its regular meeting. Wilkins provided an invocation which included, “We thank You for the accomplishments.” Then they recited the Pledge of Allegiance.
- P. Mowery shared that they will soon spend the remainder of the American Rescue Plan Act funds that must be allocated or spent this year. The last unallocated $8,400 will go to purchase protective Chromebook covers for student devices.
Travis Heavner updated the board on continuing progress with the alternative education building. Contractors “had to dodge some rain to get it in,” but finished the ramp. Wiring and communications will be completed soon, as well.
He also shared that they will soon replace the lighting on the football field play clock. Heavner joked that “we went from having to water the football field to figuring out how to dry it out.”
Hedrick and the board also reviewed student statistics compiled so far in the 2024-25 academic year. Although Pendleton County’s elementary schools showed strong numbers, Hedrick said, “The high school has a long way to go on attendance.”
That said, overall, Hedrick shared, “We’ve seen growth. We realize that needs to continue” and added, “I will say that the attendance at the high school level is typical of the rest of the state.”
Wilkins responded and said, “That seems like it’s better than it was a year ago.”
Hedrick replied that “our academic level has moved up” and that many categories are close to meeting or exceeding state standards.
“Congratulations to everyone,” said Wilkins, “that’s a lot of effort.”