By: Benjamin Rickert, Communications Dept.
Second grade students in Ms. Raegan Solomon’s class welcomed a special guest on their last day of school at W.W. Estes Elementary: Superintendent Dr. Tony Baldwin! The students showed him their last project of the year. This week, they wrote encouraging public notes on large and colorful sheets of paper hung in the hallways for all to see. They thanked teachers and peers who had encouraged them and listed reasons they loved their school. Dr. Baldwin enjoyed hearing the students explain the various messages they found meaningful.
“What a wonderful way to encourage one another and build up your community!” said Dr. Baldwin. “I always enjoy seeing firsthand how our students are learning, and I’m proud of all they’ve accomplished this school year.”
Estes Principal Dr. Paula Pinkerton explained that the project was part of the class’s celebration of reading progress. Under instruction from Ms. Solomon and teacher assistant Ms. Vicki Williams, the students collectively progressed 140 reading levels* this school year! The students were proud of their reading accomplishments, but wanted their celebration to be about the whole school. The project also gave students opportunities to “be proactive” and “synergize,” which are core habits of the school’s Leader in Me program.
“I love Estes because everyone is kind of loving,” wrote one student.
“I love Estes because we are a family,” wrote another.
“Ms. Solomon has done a phenomenal job of team building in that classroom,” Pinkerton said. “Everyone was involved.”
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* Reading levels are based on state-required mClass assessments performed throughout the year.