Students serve as superintendent for a day
Published 3:56 pm Monday, May 18, 2015
Jemison Elementary School students (from right) Alexis Carr, Emily Brant and Mabrie Lawrence, who were school system “superintendents” for the day Monday, participate in a meeting of department heads with Pam Harris, Rachel Rachels, Nichelle Bulger-Johnson, Walter Fenn and Adriane Dennis.
Three Jemison Elementary School students learned Monday that there are many responsibilities that come with being superintendent of a school system.
Emily Brant, Alexis Carr and Mabrie Lawrence earned the opportunity to be “superintendents” for the day by reaching the top level of points in a school reading program.
Since their second grade year, the three JES fourth graders have amassed 1,000 points. Books range from half a point to several points each.
Brant said she had read about 1,500 books, a number the others were likely close to.
“Out of 7,600 students in our district, these are the ones who read enough to earn this opportunity,” Superintendent Tommy Glasscock said.
The students started their day at the Chilton County Board of Education Central Office with breakfast with Glasscock and assistant superintendent Walter Fenn.
Alexis Carr, Mabrie Lawrence and Emily Brant had the opportunity to play the part of Superintendent Tommy Glasscock because of the number of points they accumulated in a school reading program.
Then, the students conducted a mock discipline hearing, as Adriane Dennis played the role of an employee who missed a mandatory meeting.
The students decided that a two-week suspension was an appropriate course of action.
“In addition to the punishment, as a superintendent, you’ll need to tell them what will happen if it happens again,” Fenn said.
Brant was quick to offer her opinion on such a scenario.
“You’ll probably get fired,” she said.
Dennis promised to correct her behavior and be more forthcoming in the future.
The students also sat in on a meeting where department heads gave reports.
“This part is real,” Glasscock said. “We’re going to throw some real-life scenarios at you.”
After the meeting, the students spent time with Dennis (federal programs supervisor), Joyce Johnson (front office secretary), Nichelle Bulger-Johnson (professional development/curriculum director), Rachel Rachels (child nutrition program director), Pam Harris (testing director), Mandy Lowrey and Benita Cahalane (special education).
The girls also visited with Technology Specialist Andrew McClure. They were so happy about him connecting them to the central office’s wireless internet and making them their own name tags that they decided to give him a day off.
Carr said the department head meeting was her favorite part of the day.
“We had to discipline someone,” she said. “I like asking questions.”
Lawrence said she learned one important thing about being a superintendent: “You have a lot of responsibilities,” she said.
All three said they read several series on their way to attaining the points necessary to be superintendent for a day.
Brant said her favorite series was Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Carr said she liked the Divergent series and Mortal Instruments series, and Lawrence preferred Percy Jackson and Little House on the Prairie.
