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Reading put into practice
Anytime a person learns a new skill, whether it is playing a musical instrument or playing football, adequate practice time to use those skills is essential for those skills to develop. That applies to any skill at any age and the more essential learning a particular skill is, the more important adequate practice time becomes.
Benton principal Andy Smith began putting that into practice for reading during his first year as principal when he began devoting one class period each week for students to read and discuss grade level books.
He said the district spends a lot of time teaching students how to read but did not provide dedicated time to practice those skills.
Some children do not have the opportunity to practice reading at home, he said.
So from 12:35 to 1:15 p.m. each Friday students in every class are allowed to read during that time, Smith told the Nevada R-5 Board of Education during its monthly meeting Wednesday night.
“This lets the students know how important reading is,” he said.
Smith said the books in the school library are graded according to difficulty and each student is tested several times each year so they know what level books they should be reading. And in those classrooms that have libraries, the books are also graded.
It is important they are not reading books that are too difficult for their reading level, he said, adding that it does not do them any good to be reading books that are too difficult for them.
The board also heard a presentation on OPAA Food Service from Kay Karleskint, the local OPAA director. Karleskint told the board that OPAA provides more food choices than any other school district or food service that she knows of. She said they provide kid-friendly menus and tailor their programs to each district. In addition to providing meals for the students and staff, they have been providing sack lunches for sports teams and can also cater meals for school functions.
In other business the board:
• Voted 7-0, to accept the district transportation report and the 2017-18 bus routes. Board approval of the district’s bus routes is required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Dean Walker, transportation department supervisor, told the board there have been no changes in the bus routes for this year.
• Voted 7-0, to accept the annual secretary of the board report. The report is a DESE required “financial statement that documents and summarizes every financial transaction made during the school year. The ASBR is a quick look at the financial condition of the district; identifies revenues by sources; expenditures by fund, function and object; identifies restricted funds; identifies interfund transfers and identifies long and short-term debt.
• Voted 7-0, to appoint Jay Sloniker to the Enhanced Enterprise Zone board to represent the Nevada R-5 School District. The EEZ board is comprised of seven members: five members appointed by the Vernon County Presiding Commissioner, one appointed by the school district within the EEZ, and one appointed by the remaining taxing districts. The board gives the Vernon County Commission advise on the designation of the enhanced enterprise zone and other advisory duties determined by the county commission. It also reviews and assesses zone activities and submits an annual report to the Missouri Department of Economic Development director about the status of the zone and business activity within it.
• Tabled consideration of bids for concrete for the Testman Track entrance because the submitted bids were too high and the project will have to be rebid.
• Heard a report on the Nevada High School ACT test scores.