Kindergarten program brings award
For its unique kindergarten registration and screening program, the Warren County School System has received an Award for Excellence in Education Programs.
Given quarterly by the Tennessee School Boards Association, the award serves to honor school systems in Tennessee that provide creative and innovative ways to enhance learning for students. Nominated programs are judged by a panel of school board members on their uniqueness, adaptability, involvement in the community and evidence of success.
Held every spring at the Civic Center, the award-winning program provides all upcoming kindergarten students with a comprehensive registration and screening process. Screened during the two-day event are the students’ vision, hearing, learning ability, speech, physical fitness and health records. Such screening is required by the Tennessee Department of Education.
Additionally, all paperwork necessary for a student to start school is completed at this time.
The registration and screening program also brings together many of the school system’s departments to assist and inform students and their parents. The transportation department, for example, is on hand to answer questions about zoning, while the English as a second language department is available to help the Hispanic population. Additionally, county offices, such as the health department, and civic clubs, like the Lions Club, lend their support.
Approximately 400 students and their parents were served by this year’s program.
The Award for Excellence in Education Programs was presented to the system by TSBA district director Maxine Frasier at last week’s meeting. She praised the system and noted this award was not the first of its kind won by Warren County.
“Your system is no stranger to these awards,” she told School Board members. “The Warren County school system is a system of excellence.”
Specifically honored were Carolyn Phifer and Michelle Lewis, system teachers and co-coordinators of the kindergarten and registration program.
“To be chosen out of the entire state is an honor for our county,” said Lewis. “This program has been going on over 20 years and we’ve tried to improve it each year. It really is quite a program.”