Chamber Recognizes Phillips Elementary

By Harold Bearden
Sunday, January 15, 2012 | 1:01 PM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=997

Gary Warren, Exexutive Director, Haleyville Area Chamber, Connie Morrison, Mayor of Bear Creek, David Pruitt, PES Principal, Fran Stewart, State Title I, Rodney Fleming, Marion County Board of Eduction member, Deb Cook, Title I teacher, Nancy Hallman, Reading Coach, Ann West, Assistant Superintent of Education, Marion County.

David Pruitt praised his staff and teachers at Phillips Elementary School at the Haleyville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting Friday. Pruitt stated it was all the great people who worked hard for his school to become only one of two schools in Alabama be a National Title I (One) Distinguished School. "The teachers know their students, their strengths and their weaknesses." Pruitt stated: "We are like every school, we want to be better."

A school's poverty level determines a school's eligibility to be recognized as a Title I Distinguished School. At least 35% of all students must receive free lunches. PES has 80%. Ann West, Assistant Superintendent of Education for Marion County praised the great accomplishment of Phillips Elementary. She stated most of the academic gains as shown by PES are normally associated with schools in more affluent communities. 

Fran Stewart, representing the Alabama's Title One program, stated the school's accomplishment was made possible as a result of the Alabama Reading Initiative which provided structure and accountability.