Smooth start to school year for Bingham Arts
Crystal NelsonBingham Arts Academy Principal Sarah Prevo said the start of the 2008-09 school year has been "wonderful." She said the first few weeks are geared toward students getting back into the routine of school.
Prevo said first-graders already are learning to play recorders and the third through sixth grade classes are reviewing diligently for the MEAP test.
"It's been a great first week. The second week has been smooth as well. I think the students are just as excited as the staff to be back," she said.
The academy has a variety of new programs to offer students and their families including an all-day preschool program, a new program focusing on the gifted and talented and new after-school programs.
Testing for the new gifted and talented program began Monday.
"Students are tested and if they score in a category they receive excelled instruction in those academic areas," Prevo said. Academic areas include core subjects like math, science, social studies and english/language arts. She said the testing would take place over a span of a week to a week and a half.
A program "Walking With Giants" has been implemented into the student's daily routine. Teachers will spend about 15 minutes a day teaching students about historical figures and work on character building activities throughout the day. Prevo said it's important for students to be exposed to important historical figures at such and early age.
The first performance night for parents is scheduled for Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Students study different geographical areas and cultures during the same time period and present some sort of performance to their parents at these nights throughout the year.
"Then for the performance, they have to do a skit, a song, a dance or a poem - something they've created as a class to show parents and the public what they've learned in social studies over the past five weeks," she said.
Four new staff members were added to the academy. Preschool teacher Erin Smith, kindergarten teacher Courtney Gagnon, fourth grade teacher Amanda Polaski and Title I instructor Rachel Peel joined the staff for the 2008-09 academic year.
Teachers spent time over the summer developing curriculum to match the state guidelines. Prevo said science, physical education and health curriculums were among those developed over the summer. Prevo said the academy scored a B+ on their adequate yearly progress review last year and the weak areas are now goals for this year.
Repairs to carpeting were made to the building over the summer due to water damage and some minor repainting was needed. Prevo said the repairs to the school were "nothing major, just cosmetic."
There are approximately 106 students enrolled in the school, down 19 students from last year. Prevo said there are approximately 24 preschoolers attending the school this year and noted pre-schoolers are not included in the enrollment numbers. She attributed much of the declining enrollment to families moving out of state.
Crystal Nelson can be reached via e-mail at cnelson@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5693.
