Newton County BOE Rushes Boldly Into 20th Century!

Finally!  After prolonged, consistent "lobbying" efforts by a small group of parents and citizens concerned with the education of their children and grandchildren in Covington and Newton County, the county Board of Education is establishing two theme schools for next school year.  Finally, our school system is moving out of the educational Dark Ages.

An elementary theme school will open next year at Fairview Elementary.  Clements Middle School is being turned into a theme school for middle school students.  Meetings are scheduled all during the month of January to provide more information to the public on the schools and their curriculums.

According to "The Covington News," the elementary theme school programs will "...integrate research-centered/hands-on projects and critical thinking skills, especially in math and science, and increased reading assignments at home and during the summer break."  Middle school students will additionally be offered "a comprehensive, interdisciplinary educational program" based on those elementary skills.

Here's the most important part... parents of students attending the theme schools must get involved!  That's not just a platitude, but a requirement.  That's the only way the schools will be successful.

Look at the best schools in the County today.  It's easy to do.  You can count them on the fingers of one hand.  They're the schools where the teachers are happy because they can teach rather than discipline.  They're the schools with parents active in PTO, booster clubs, and fund raisers.  The ones where parents show up for sporting events, lunch with their kids, parent-teacher conferences, and special school meetings.  They're the ones where parents make their kids do their homework, are involved in their lives, and concerned about the quality of their education and their future.

Congratulations Newton County Board of Education for finally taking the initiative.  We may be just now "rushing boldly into the 20^th century."  But at least we're rushing toward something noteworthy... a quality education for the future leaders of our country.