Small Vanleer Elementary School Grows, Excels in Helping Students Succeed
education, school, students, succeed, vanleer school, zach widener,
Big things do come in small packages‚ particularly when that package is a child. While most people agree that children are the future‚ what’s not so certain is the best way to guide them there. Vanleer Elementary School has answers. Though this quaint school is nestled in Vanleer‚ a town with fewer than 400 people‚ its goals for the future are no less than its neighbors in Charlotte‚ Clarksville‚ or Nashville.
Giving its 62-year-old failing frame a facelift was the first in a series of steps to make the instructional facility more learner-friendly.
“Our old school cafeteria only seated 80 people‚ but now it’s large enough to seat our students and their parents‚” says Rachel Weaver‚ who attended the school as a child and has been the principal at Vanleer since November of 1997. “Each day of the school year‚ at least three to five parents come to eat lunch with their children and we have a special area in the cafeteria for them.”
Vanleer opened its new doors September 2003.
“Our staff has not changed but our [student population] has increased by 50 due to rezoning‚” Weaver says.
Vanleer won a $5‚154 incentive award for superior performance for making such academic gains as a low dropout rate and at least 95 percent attendance during the 2001-2002 school year.
“This summer‚ we’re opening the library one day a week to encourage the kids to continue reading‚” Weaver says. This plan stems from the popular point-based accelerated reading program.
Fifth-grader Zach Widener has earned 500.8 points so far.
“Each book ranges from 8.0 to 9.2 points and right now‚ I am ahead of everyone‚” Zach says.
Zach’s parents‚ Christy and Jeremy Widener say they’re pleased with their son’s – and the school’s – performance.
“Every nine weeks there’s a minimum number of points students have to have and Zach exceeds that number by far each time‚” Christy Widener says. “He loves to read. Fifth grade has been his hardest year‚ but with accelerated reading‚ he has been able to shine. He’s been number one [in his class] for most of the school year.”
The ultimate prize for students earning more than 100 points is a chance to be principal for the day.
In addition to after-school tutoring‚ Vanleer’s students also benefit from Education Edge Dickson County – an ongoing program sponsored by the Dickson County Chamber of Commerce. Bruce Trotter‚ of Slayden‚ attended Vanleer and his son‚ Chad‚ now in high school‚ also attended the school.
This school year‚ another son‚“Vanleer has a good academic reputation and that continues. The school also has good teachers and an excellent principal‚” Trotter says. “It makes me feel good that Bradley is attending my school because it is a good place.”
Story by Lisa Parker MacKay
Photo by Greg Emens
