by Kate Shunney
Warm Springs Intermediate School reported on their annual progress toward academic and student goals and their needs for the coming year during the February 3 Board of Education meeting.
Principal Scott Lykins told board members that he is “inspired” by what he sees at the school.
“Each and every day I walk into this building and see the effort that the scholars and staff put into every day and it leaves me inspired,” he said during the annual Strategic Plan update.
Lykins said the school staff coordinated to determine what the school is all about.
Warm Springs Intermediate Schools serves 352 students in grades 3-5 in the central county area.
“We landed on the characteristics we want our scholars to have when they leave us – to recognize and celebrate their growth, gain a greater sense of independence, to be motivated, good humans recognizing core character traits and to be resilient,” Lykins said.
The entire staff — from custodians to secretaries, cooks and teachers – works under a commitment to the whole child, he said. That environment is positively affecting attendance goals at the school.
Daily attendance is at 93.9%, Lykins said.
“The kids are happy and excited to be here – that’s half the battle,” he said.
Reading and math proficiencies have gained traction between the beginning and middle of the year, as measured by testing tools.
Community involvement and parent engagement are important at the Intermediate School. Lykins said the Parent Teacher Organization has grown to 12 members and they’ve had major community events to include families in the school environment.
“We absolutely can’t do this alone. Learning doesn’t just happen here, we need partnerships,” he said.
The school’s needs include professional development for teachers, parent engagement, behavioral programming and support.
“Our staff does a great job working with students who come to us dysregulated. What I am concerned about is the situation where can’t reach that scholar and have a need for behavior programs and supports,” Lykins said.
School board member Mike Bergen said he coaches a Biddy Buddy basketball team at Warm Springs Intermediate school and has observed that the students interact positively with the custodial staff.
“That friendliness makes a bad day turn good real quick,” Bergen said of a positive staff relationship.
School board officials asked how many students the school could hold, maximum. Lykins said with the capacity at each grade for each classroom, the school could take up to 405 students in total.
Superintendent David Banks praised Mr. Lykins approach in coming into the school as a new principal.
“I appreciate you listening first. He could have made a bunch of changes right away, but listened,” said Banks.
“The cleanliness of this building is something I’ve noticed for years and continues to be. Your custodians do a magnificent job,” Banks said.