BY DEBBIE PAGE
Mooresville Graded School District Superintendent Jason Gardner shared an overview of recently released state assessment data with school board members on Tuesday night.
At the elementary level, Parkview maintained its “B” grade, while Rocky River and South rose from a “C” to a “B.” East Mooresville Intermediate (EMIS) maintained its “B” grade, and Mooresville Intermediate (MIS) improved from “C” to “B.”
Mooresville Middle (MMS) maintained its “B” rating, and Selma Burke rose from a “D” to “C.” Mooresville High maintained its “B” status.
Overall, the district exceeded growth expectations (+4.15). EMIS (+8.06), MIS, (+7.47), and MMS (+7.67) all exceeded growth expectations. Mooresville High met expectations with .17 growth. Selma Burke did not meet expectations (-3.42) but showed a 7-point improvement over last year.
All grade levels met or exceeded growth expectations in reading and math. All groups reported by the state (Academically Gifted, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black, Economically Disadvantaged, English Learners, Hispanic, Homeless, Students with Disabilities, Students of Two or More Races, and White) exceeded or met growth as well.
Other key district data points include:
● Having the top graduation rate in N.C.
● Being one of 18 districts in NC with no low-performing schools.
● The overall achievement ranking moving from 20th to 13th in the state.
● The 8th grade math performance ranked 3rd in N.C.
● Three schools ranked in top 3 percent in the state for academic growth.
● Being at or above pre-pandemic performance in Reading in grades 4 and 5; and Math in grades 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8
Gardner praise the staff for working hard to meet students’ individual needs with high-quality teaching as well as high-quality support staff and leaders.
OTHER BUSINESS
The board also:
♦ Approved all school’s improvement plans presented at the board’s work session on September 30.
♦ Selected Monica Bender, Debbie Marsh, Greg Whitfield, and Rakeem Brawley as the board’s voting delegates at the November 12 North Carolina School Board Association meeting.
♦ Reviewed board policy revisions suggested by the N.C. School Board Association for possible approval at the board’s November 3 meeting.
One change in the parent involvement section (1310/4002, section 4-d) would not allow parents to opt out of “(a) short-duration academic, career, personal or social guidance and counseling and crisis intervention that is needed to maintain order, discipline or a productive learning environment; (b) student-initiated individual or group counseling targeted at a student’s specific concerns or needs; and (c) counseling if child abuse or neglect is suspected.
One parent spoke against this change in public comment as a violation of the Parents Bill of Rights.
Another change will affect student cell phone and wireless device use (including wearable technology like watches). Board members can choose to allow possession of wireless communication devices at school as long as they are not turned on or visible during instructional time, with some IEP/health-related exceptions. They could also prohibit them on campus or choose a hybrid option of the two.
MENTAL HEALTH PLAN
Chief Student Services Officer Sandy Albert and her team presented the district’s updated School Mental Health (SMH) Plan, developed under state policy, which aims to strengthen student and staff well-being through evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) practices, mental health services, and community partnerships.
Since 2021, the state has required each K-12 public school district to adopt and implement a plan to promote student mental health and well-being. Plans must be reviewed every five years and approved by the board.
District Mental Health Coordinator Lindsay Ferro said MGSD’s Strategic Plan commitment of providing a “Safe, Happy, Healthy” environment for all is at the forefront of this plan.
The district utilized Panorama Data and the School Health Assessment and Performance Evaluation (SHAPE) in the development of School Improvement plans to address students’ mental health and SEL needs.
The plan includes strong district and school-based teaming structures supporting attendance, SEL and mental health as well as a comprehensive K–12 SEL curriculum using Quaver SEL, Capturing Kids’ Hearts, Character Strong, and BASE.
School teams and district staff are trained in trauma-informed and restorative practices, and the district has forged robust community partnerships and resource mapping as well as strong collaboration with school-based mental health provider.
New focus areas, based upon SHAPE data, include:
♦ Data sharing between schools, at the district level, and sharing out to the community
♦ Addressing barriers to student access to school-based mental health
♦ Improving Specialized Instructional Support Personnel (SISP) ratios. SISP staff include school social workers, school nurses, school psychologists, and school counselors.
♦ Enhancing SEL and academic alignment
Mooresville High counselor Jennifer Forte presented the SEL instructional Programs that will occur at all levels, including:
♦ K–5: Quaver SEL & character education
♦ 6–8: Capturing Kids’ Hearts philosophy & lessons
♦ 9–12: Character Strong advisory lessons and peer mediation sessions
♦ NF Woods: BASE 7 Mindsets curriculum
Teams are also in place at each school utilizing trauma-informed and restorative practices, and all staff complete required mental health training through Vector. Various sources of data are being used as early warning signs that allow staff members to intervene and provide resources and support as needed.
The treatment, referral and re-entry plan offers school based therapy services through Children’s Hope Alliance. Staff continuously evaluate the situation using the MGSD Student Crisis Response Plan and Threat Assessment Protocols to ensure referrals are made to support the student as well as ensure school safety.
A community resource map, available on the district website, is updated annually and shared with families as needed. A standard re-entry plan has also been developed for school teams to utilize when students are returning to school following a hospitalization, suspension, or homebound placement.
To strengthen mental health services, the district plans to expand staff training in the realm of mental health awareness and resources and increase SISP staffing ratios through grants, community partnerships and Medicaid funding.
MGSD also will enhance SEL and academic alignment by working with school teams, using resources received from a neighboring district, and developing an MGSD SEL handbook.
The district will also expand innovative partnerships to support student and staff well-being, including a new collaboration with Iredell County to address student substance use and abuse
MDSD SCHOOL BOARD HONORED
The MGSD Board of Education was recently awarded the Golden Bell Award by the North Carolina School Boards Association (NCSBA). This award is for training excellence and commitment during the 2024-25 academic year.
The Golden Bell award is the highest professional development honor available to boards of education and recognizes that all five board members have met or exceeded the association’s highest standard for completion of training.
“This achievement reflects our school board’s dedication to excellence, continuous learning, and effective governance. Their commitment to professional growth ensures strong leadership for our district and better outcomes for the students, staff, and families we serve,” Gardner said. “We congratulate our MGSD Board of Education for this outstanding accomplishment, and thank them for their continued service and support of public education!”
NF WOODS PRESENTS MIDDLE SCHOOL ‘LEARNING JOURNEY’
N.F. Woods Principal Melanie Allen and her staff and students shared information about the school’s unique program serving high school and middle school students but highlighting the middle school program.
N.F. Woods is a place where middle and high school students can grow, learn, and thrive in a small, nurturing school setting. The students work hard, learn to manage their emotions through a points program, and enjoy special activities, rewards, and celebrations for success that make school more enjoyable for them.
This alternative educational program is designed to meet the needs of students in middle and high school who are experiencing difficulties in the traditional school setting as a result of academic, behavioral, or adjustment issues.
The school uses innovative, flexible, individualized instruction and a holistic, hands-on approach to learning that addresses a variety of learning styles and skill levels.
Because attendance in school is the number one barrier to academic success, the NF Woods staff make home visits and multiple contacts when students are not in school.
Faculty use positive behavior supports to help students better regulate their emotions. Rewards may include Fun Friday and shopping at the school store, guest speakers, team building activities, local business tours and community events, as well as visits with community leaders.
In addition, the program provides off campus exploration of schools, businesses, and various trade programs as a career planning component.
All students are also expected to participate in hands-on service learning to help others on campus or in their community.
The program’s vision is to provide a safe, caring, individualized approach to education that addresses the needs of the whole child, breaks all barriers to graduation, and sets the foundation for post secondary success.
Assistant Principal Tim Anselmo praised students for achieving an average reading growth of 150 points in the Edmentum program. They also work on preparing for the transition to the high school setting and its new set of demands.
Allen said the modifications the staff uses to help students to academic success include:
1. Behavior as part of instruction (BASE program).
2. Highly scaffolded academic tasks (reteaching to strengthen learning).
3. Hands-on, active learning opportunities (CTE and career exploration).
4. Frequent feedback and reinforcement (setting goals and tracking behavior on point cards).
5. Intentional relationship-building (meetings with staff about individual goals).
6. Individualized support (flexibility to meet each student’s unique academic and personal needs).
7. Data-driven but realistic goals.
Two students shared their experiences in the middle school program.
One current ninth-grader at MHS who went through the N.F. Woods middle school program praised the program’s challenging content, as well as the soft skills students learned, such as speaking their mind, encouraging higher-level thinking skills, trying new things, teamwork, and belief in themselves.
She said that teachers helped them see their potential and encouraged and celebrated their successes. Students felt like they mattered as people. She said the support that she received in the program has stayed with her to this day.
An eighth-grader currently in the middle school program was skeptical at first, but within a week, she felt like she belonged. She was less stressed and actually enjoyed school. Her grades went from failures to all As, and she credits the small class sizes and quieter environment that helped her make more connections at the school.
She also liked the shorter classes because she could better focus. Her mental health improved because she felt welcome. She said she trusted her teachers said the program helped her academically, emotionally, and socially.
Board members were moved by the student testimonials. Marsh, who visited the school that day, liked the rigor of the program, the caring shown by teachers and staff, and the buy-in by students
Brawley told the two students to remember that they are always more than enough. He noted that students needed champions to help them be all that they can be and that they should never let their starting point be their ending points.
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
N.F. Woods senior Julian Hall was nominated by counselor Allyson Morris as the October Student of the Month.
Julian, nicknamed “JuJu,” has worked extremely hard in order to graduate early. He has demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination to overcome many obstacles while in high school.
Through it all, Morris said JuJu has maintained excellent grades, achieved perfect attendance, and had positive relationships with teachers and peers.
In addition to his academic success, JuJu has successfully managed the demands of a job, showcasing his strong work ethic and time management skills. Despite times of hardship, JuJu persevered and will graduate with his high school diploma in December.
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
N. F. Woods senior Taylor Roesch, nominated by Laura Stone, Academic and Behavior Support Teacher, was selected as the October Artist of the Month.
Stone said Roesch brings positivity and excitement to the Art Appreciation classroom. In addition to being a creative and inspiring artist, she is always willing to help and inspire other students in the class.
Taylor is planning to attend college next fall. In addition to visiting potential colleges, she also works part time while maintaining an “A” average in all of her classes. Taylor also serves as the student representative on the N.F. Woods School Improvement Team.
ABCD AWARD
N.F. Woods Administrative Assistant Shirley Black was nominated by Assistant Principal Tim Anselmo for the October “Above and Beyond the Call of Duty” recognition.
Anselmo said Black’s ability to establish trust with staff while being the smiling frontline face of the school makes the day run a little smoother. She transformed the office at N.F. Woods to an extremely professional environment while displaying a nurturing presence to students and families.
Her commitment to building authentic relationships with the students has enabled her to manage the flow of the office by meeting student needs and aiding the school’s administration.
Black also jumps in and helps with anything that needs to be done. Her attention to detail with all the school’s safety needs also enhances the campus as a whole.
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS ELICIT PUBLIC COMMENTS
Board members Debbie Marsh and Monica Bender came under fire from four speakers for social media posts regarding the Charlie Kirk assassination in September.
The speakers were critical of the board members not following expectations for positive use of social media required of MGSD staff, of setting a poor tone and example, and showing disrespect for those on the other side of the political spectrum.
One speaker, Roger Ward, who graduated from Mooresville High School in 2023, said that “we should respect someone’s life even if we disagree with them.”
Speaker Jenna Taylor said that she had a petition with 546 signatures asking for the board members’ resignations.
Six speakers spoke in support of the members, citing their leadership, dedication to an equitable education for all students, professionalism, integrity, leadership, and wisdom. They cited both members’ tireless work for students and their support of making MGSD a place where everyone feels included and is treated with kindness so they can thrive and learn.