1 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:29,560 They need help from community groups, civic organizations, and alumni. The alumni from Hunter Huss are committed to supporting their alma mater and working to enrich the lives of students, teachers, and everyone associated with the Hunter Huss High School family. Tonight we are very proud to honor the Hunter Huss High School Alumni Association for 10 years of outstanding service, and we are recognizing the association with one of our celebration plaques. 2 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:37,240 We want to extend our heartfelt thank you for your hard work, dedication, and ongoing support of Hunter Husk High School. 3 00:15:37,620 --> 00:15:39,880 We sincerely appreciate it and Chairman. 4 00:15:40,780 --> 00:15:49,220 But I would say it's always important to have our community involved in making sure that they're involved in our schools and in particular, I'm not so excited to take a big part of that. 5 00:15:49,300 --> 00:15:52,040 So thank you all for what you're doing, like that's present that to you. 6 00:15:52,360 --> 00:15:53,520 Thank you. 7 00:16:48,280 --> 00:16:52,200 Mr. Chairman and members of the board, we have a few good news announcements that 8 00:16:52,200 --> 00:16:58,200 we would like to share with you. First we would like to congratulate the 26 students in the class 9 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:05,740 of 2026 who earned valedictorian or salutatorian honors. The students were recognized during high school 10 00:17:05,740 --> 00:17:11,640 graduation for their commitment to academic excellence and we have information about our valedictorians 11 00:17:11,640 --> 00:17:17,380 and salutatorians on our website. In addition one senior Madison Watson from Highland School of 12 00:17:17,380 --> 00:17:27,280 She was recognized at her school's graduation for having 13 years of perfect attendance, and she received a plaque from the Board of Education for that achievement. 13 00:17:27,720 --> 00:17:39,160 And we would like to give a shout out to the class of 2026 on being awarded more than $36 million in scholarships from colleges and universities across our state and the nation. 14 00:17:40,540 --> 00:17:48,600 One final piece of good news for you, our Academic Services Department, coordinated a two-day leadership conference for 15 00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:53,140 principals and assistant principals on June 3rd and 4th at Stuart W. Kramer High School. 16 00:17:53,620 --> 00:17:57,900 The professional development centered around academic performance and student proficiency. 17 00:17:58,200 --> 00:18:04,160 The sessions were well planned, engaging and beneficial, and they were designed to complement the game-owned, 18 00:18:04,160 --> 00:18:10,240 the GCS playbook for leading teaching and learning thing with emphasis on taking action in the new 19 00:18:10,240 --> 00:18:15,520 school year to improve student achievement at a higher level. We have a short video featuring 20 00:18:15,520 --> 00:18:21,460 one of our principals, Sean Hubbers from Pleasant Ridge Elementary School who shares his perspective 21 00:18:21,460 --> 00:18:24,180 on the leadership conference. One 22 00:18:36,210 --> 00:18:40,390 of the things I appreciate about the conference now versus a lot of 23 00:18:40,390 --> 00:18:46,130 times that we would try to fit this in into the days right before students come back, teachers 24 00:18:46,130 --> 00:18:53,110 come back, and there's 100 million things going on at that time, and so I feel like 25 00:18:53,110 --> 00:18:58,270 doing it now at the end of the year where we're able to reflect on the things that happen 26 00:18:58,270 --> 00:19:04,210 this past year, but also think about ways that we can get better for the coming year is 27 00:19:04,210 --> 00:19:10,930 a lot more advantageous and helpful. So we did this last year and then again this year, 28 00:19:11,430 --> 00:19:17,270 and I really appreciate it this time of year, which helps going into the summer, which 29 00:19:17,270 --> 00:19:22,270 is a principle is when you do a lot of planning, you have time to reflect, and so doing it 30 00:19:22,270 --> 00:19:30,570 now gives us that time in space to reflect, make plans so we're ready to go when our teachers 31 00:19:30,570 --> 00:19:36,130 come back and students come back. For me, as a principal, one of the things that I'm constantly 32 00:19:36,130 --> 00:19:42,150 thinking about is how can I grow as an individual? How can I get better? And then in turn, how can I make 33 00:19:42,150 --> 00:19:49,630 my school better? Being around your colleagues, reflecting on the on the year, taking just what these 34 00:19:49,630 --> 00:19:56,590 research-based best practices that we discuss, and then thinking about my own leadership, reflecting on 35 00:19:56,590 --> 00:20:02,350 it and then thinking about how changes that I need to make or want to make to improve 36 00:20:02,350 --> 00:20:08,210 our school which ultimately will then help in turn gaps in county schools improve is 37 00:20:08,210 --> 00:20:09,730 something that I try to do. 38 00:20:09,890 --> 00:20:17,510 For me it was just all I had really known was my own school and how we improved and I was 39 00:20:17,510 --> 00:20:25,510 happy with that and it was good and encouraging to hear some of the other schools and some of 40 00:20:25,510 --> 00:20:30,910 just a great improvement set. So many of our schools have made. And then when you have a 41 00:20:30,910 --> 00:20:35,290 conference like this, it gives you the opportunity and the space to also talk to colleagues, 42 00:20:36,010 --> 00:20:41,050 you know, to get ideas about what they're doing in their schools that they've seen good growth from, 43 00:20:41,630 --> 00:20:45,490 that are maybe things that we can incorporate or that I can incorporate at my school. 44 00:20:46,090 --> 00:20:51,210 So it's just a positive environment, you know, this past year and then looking forward to this 45 00:20:51,210 --> 00:20:56,230 upcoming year. I'm just super thankful for our district leaders in 46 00:20:56,230 --> 00:21:01,310 administration. I feel like they push us to get better, which I'm thankful for. 47 00:21:01,670 --> 00:21:05,770 They're encouraging and at the same time they challenge us to improve. 48 00:21:10,320 --> 00:21:14,040 Mr. Chairman, that completes our good news, but I do think that the superintendent 49 00:21:14,040 --> 00:21:19,640 would agree following that video that we have good news to come in the future 50 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:24,500 about academic achievement. We look forward to sharing that with you very soon. 51 00:21:24,500 --> 00:21:27,200 And that completes our good news for the month of June. 52 00:21:27,640 --> 00:21:35,340 Thank you, Mr. Hagins, and obviously the board appreciates all the good news and all of the outstanding things going on in our district on a regular basis. 53 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:39,280 I think several of us had an opportunity to stop by the leadership conference. 54 00:21:39,940 --> 00:21:45,220 Very impressive the level of input, participation, well-playing, so I think staff. 55 00:21:45,420 --> 00:21:51,720 And of course, all the principals and the assistant principals who took it seriously and made it worthwhile, they deserve credit as well. 56 00:21:51,720 --> 00:21:55,040 So I may or may not have some video of principles, 57 00:21:55,320 --> 00:21:57,400 the system principle is dancing into the final ceremony, 58 00:21:57,520 --> 00:21:58,780 so they might need to be aware of that. 59 00:21:59,720 --> 00:22:00,340 No, just kidding. 60 00:22:00,420 --> 00:22:02,360 But I had an opportunity to stop by for the closing ceremony 61 00:22:02,360 --> 00:22:05,100 as well, and it was absolutely a great event. 62 00:22:05,240 --> 00:22:07,020 So I think all the staff and all of our principals 63 00:22:07,020 --> 00:22:09,260 for an assistant principal, yes. 64 00:22:09,420 --> 00:22:11,520 I would also like to say I want to thank our sponsors. 65 00:22:11,520 --> 00:22:14,680 That was a 100% fully sponsored event. 66 00:22:15,560 --> 00:22:18,200 So professional development is absolutely important, 67 00:22:18,200 --> 00:22:20,240 but we couldn't have done that without our sponsors. 68 00:22:20,240 --> 00:22:22,900 So thank you to all our sponsors. Absolutely. Thank you, Ms. Smith. 69 00:22:24,200 --> 00:22:32,140 All right, next on our agenda is our classroom moment and that's going to be led tonight by Dr. Shannon Hullett, who we'll be talking to us about our summer reading camp. 70 00:22:35,750 --> 00:22:46,950 Good evening, Chairman. Chris, Vice Chair, Chair, members of the board and Superintendent Dr. Hushard. Our classroom moment tonight will highlight the 2026 elementary summer reading camp. 71 00:22:47,910 --> 00:22:52,910 Summer Reading Camp is mandated and funded by the North Carolina Department of Public 72 00:22:52,910 --> 00:22:58,070 Instruction through specific allocations and that fund is PRCO85. 73 00:22:58,670 --> 00:23:03,750 These funds are strictly designated for literacy intervention to improve early childhood 74 00:23:03,750 --> 00:23:06,430 proficiency and to support the science of reading. 75 00:23:07,310 --> 00:23:13,450 Summer Reading Camp is a requirement it's outlined in the Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021. 76 00:23:13,450 --> 00:23:23,230 The law defines reading camp as an additional educational opportunity that takes place outside of the regular 180-day instructional calendar. 77 00:23:23,870 --> 00:23:33,430 And the purpose of reading camp is to provide targeted support for students who need additional reading instructions to strengthen literacy skills and improve their reading proficiency. 78 00:23:33,430 --> 00:23:39,610 To meet the state requirement, students must receive 72 hours of reading instruction and 79 00:23:39,610 --> 00:23:44,370 it must be delivered by licensed teachers who have demonstrated success in improving student 80 00:23:44,370 --> 00:23:45,170 reading outcomes. 81 00:23:45,730 --> 00:23:51,010 This ensures that the students receive that high quality, evidence-based instruction from 82 00:23:51,010 --> 00:23:55,610 educators who have a proven track record in supporting student growth. 83 00:23:57,590 --> 00:24:02,150 Summer camp is offered to rising third and fourth graders as well as some of our fourth 84 00:24:02,150 --> 00:24:07,150 grade transitional students and it's based on their middle and end of year reading data. 85 00:24:07,710 --> 00:24:12,310 This year we had 982 students who registered to attend summer camp. 86 00:24:14,380 --> 00:24:19,080 Summer camp started June 8th so we're well on our way into summer camp we're in our second 87 00:24:19,080 --> 00:24:25,280 week. It runs through June 25th. We have six sites this year and this is a great opportunity 88 00:24:25,280 --> 00:24:30,300 for six of our assistant principals to grow their leadership skills. They are leading our 89 00:24:30,300 --> 00:24:35,800 summer camp sites at the schools that they have been assigned. So now it's the 90 00:24:35,800 --> 00:24:39,760 fun part where you get to see a glimpse into what students get to experience 91 00:24:39,760 --> 00:24:40,700 during summer camp. 92 00:24:51,720 --> 00:24:53,920 So summer reading camp is very different than the 93 00:24:53,920 --> 00:25:00,420 school year. We use data from the schools and we design and develop a program 94 00:25:00,420 --> 00:25:05,720 that's unique to each student. We give them intense reading instruction and small 95 00:25:05,720 --> 00:25:12,720 group, whole group as well as one-on-one. With summer, you want to prevent that summer's 96 00:25:12,720 --> 00:25:19,120 the flood or that losing of their the skills that they obtained while they were, you 97 00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:25,060 know, all school your own. Also, you want them to be able to build a stronger confidence 98 00:25:25,060 --> 00:25:30,640 within their reading abilities with a different set of teachers. They're having fun while 99 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:34,300 they're doing it. We have two days of professional development, 100 00:25:34,300 --> 00:25:41,380 which gives us time to look at the data, so we will know how to plan for working one-on-one with the students, 101 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:46,360 working small group with the students, and then how to work homework with the students. 102 00:25:46,840 --> 00:25:54,440 We do work on some intervention pieces such as Spire, which helps with the phonological awareness for the children, 103 00:25:54,640 --> 00:26:02,360 and it's just like a stepping stone. It builds on letter sounds, blending, fluency, the comprehension piece. 104 00:26:02,360 --> 00:26:03,440 The 105 00:26:07,700 --> 00:26:13,640 smaller class sizes help out a lot. When students are in a smaller classroom 106 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:21,020 setting, person-experts set of hands that allows for gaps to be filled, you know, 107 00:26:21,180 --> 00:26:26,300 even better. We have student days, theme days, when we do dress-ups, we read special 108 00:26:26,300 --> 00:26:31,460 books based on the topic. And one of the unique things about summer camp is we have 109 00:26:31,460 --> 00:26:36,220 enrichment clubs. We have things like STEM, art, enrichment, engaging 110 00:26:36,220 --> 00:26:42,620 activities. Mr. Goodson is doing like a Minecraft themed club. We have where 111 00:26:42,620 --> 00:26:48,800 Miss Morris is doing some computer games. Between our daily theme, the extra 112 00:26:48,800 --> 00:26:55,240 stories, the partnership with the Gaston Public Library as well as clubs and 113 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:58,160 the different things our teachers do in the classroom. It really makes it feel 114 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:03,920 different than a normal school day. So all the things like school, we just put 115 00:27:03,920 --> 00:27:07,880 that focus on doing a little things a little bit different, offering some enrichment and 116 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:12,220 engaging activities and focusing on the intense reading instruction. 117 00:27:12,820 --> 00:27:18,120 And when you can hone in on what their specific needs and when you see that they get it, 118 00:27:18,440 --> 00:27:26,160 it is so rewarding and it truly is and they finally think, oh, I can do this and that means 119 00:27:26,160 --> 00:27:26,540 a lot. 120 00:27:36,470 --> 00:27:40,790 So we are growing readers in gasoline county schools, so it's an exciting 12 days. 121 00:27:40,790 --> 00:27:43,590 Thank you for letting us share a little bit about it. 122 00:27:44,230 --> 00:27:44,830 Thank you. 123 00:27:45,150 --> 00:27:46,250 I think Miss Sherry had a question. 124 00:27:46,890 --> 00:27:49,170 Dr. Ella, how many children are we servicing? 125 00:27:50,410 --> 00:27:54,710 We track attendance every day, and we are right at 601 today. 126 00:27:55,790 --> 00:27:56,330 Thank you. 127 00:27:58,350 --> 00:27:59,790 All right. Well, thank you Shannon for that. 128 00:28:01,330 --> 00:28:04,030 It's great to see how much we're reporting to our kids in the system, 129 00:28:04,090 --> 00:28:05,510 and we thank everybody for all the hard work. 130 00:28:05,690 --> 00:28:08,510 They are putting in our children to make sure they are successful.