Parent Teacher Magazine Gaston County Schools | Page 9

W.A. Bess Elementary earns A+ School distinction
The school conducted a ceremony on
Wednesday, August 14 to officially announce
that it has been chosen by the N.C. Department
of Public Instruction and the N.C. Arts Council to
serve as a North Carolina A+ School.
Ceremony highlights were the presentation
of the A+ School award and the A+ School
banner, a performance by the Forestview High
School drumline and cheerleaders, and an
appearance by the school’s mascot, “Spike the
Bulldog.” Speakers included principal Laura
Dixon, Superintendent of Schools W. Jeffrey
Booker, and Board of Education chairman Brent
Moore.
Sharing perspectives about what it means to
be an A+ School were students Jennings Blowe
and Shanzay Rahim, third grade teacher Nikki Simmons, and parent Laine
Gutierrez.
W.A. Bess is the first school in Gaston County to receive the A+ School
distinction from the state, and it is among only a dozen schools in the
western part of North Carolina that have earned the status. To show how
being an A+ School is an elite honor, there are only about 60 A+ Schools in
the entire state.
The state’s A+ School program has been called the nation’s most
successful whole-school transformation model using the arts. The program
began in North Carolina in 1995 with 25 schools, and similar programs have
started in other states.
linked to positive academic and social outcomes,
increased civic engagement, and higher
academic achievement. Further, students who
are engaged in the arts have higher degrees
of empathy and acceptance and demonstrate
stronger critical thinking skills than students who
are not exposed to arts experiences on a regular
basis.”
Dixon added, “Perhaps most important,
students who are a part of an arts curriculum
take what they learn with them – this benefits
them later in school and later in life. Once an
understanding of and appreciation for the arts
is in students, we believe that it benefits them
for the rest of their lives. This is what we hope
for our students at W.A. Bess Elementary as we
emerge as an A+ School.”
Gaston County Family
YMCA’s Fall Youth
Sports Registration
Every year, decked out in their YMCA
gear, young athletes trot out onto
fields and courts with wide smiles.
“It's fun to see,” said Michael Stout,
Pharr Family YMCA.
The program has a proven record of increasing student proficiency,
closing the achievement gap, decreasing disciplinary and student attendance
issues, and increasing parental and community involvement – and teachers
involved in the A+ School program say they are more effective in their work. Registration for fall youth sports
is now open through the YMCA
with leagues being offered at the
Cherryville Family YMCA, Pharr Family
YMCA, Stowe Family YMCA and Warlick Family YMCA. Y programs focus on
fundamental skills and developing healthy habits.
Teachers at W.A. Bess attended a week-long training program this
summer in Raleigh. The school has spent a considerable amount of time and
energy over the past six months preparing to become Gaston County’s first
A+ School. “Whether it’s gaining confidence by learning a new skill or making new
friends through teamwork and good sportsmanship, playing sports at the Y is
about building children from the inside out, “ said Taylor Terry, Warlick Family
YMCA.
▪ About the A+ School program
In an A+ School, arts education is added or infused across the
curriculum. Infusing the arts is approached in three ways. The YMCA offers recreational leagues for soccer, flag football, and basketball
as well as progressive classes for gymnastics and swimming. Registration is
open now for leagues beginning in 2019 to all in the community. Fees differ
for members and non-members.
First is Arts Integration. This approach gives equal value to arts
standards and non-arts standards to create hands-on, practical, connected,
and meaningful learning experiences for students.
Second is Arts Education. This approach involves the teaching of
specific disciplines like music, dance, theater arts, and visual arts and
promoting each one as a special art form. Students will gain knowledge
of each form and have opportunities to experience all of them through
their individual work and learning as well as through group activities and
performances.
Third is Arts Exposure. This approach creates exciting opportunities for
students to explore artistic works, performances, and careers in the arts both
at school and in the community.
“We want every child at that age level to be comfortable and play,” Stout
said, noting that the YMCA offers financial assistance to help ensure children
can participate.
For more information regarding fall league
opportunities or to register online please visit us
at gastonymca.org
Laura Dixon, principal of W.A. Bess Elementary and the current Gaston
County Principal of the Year, stated: “Research indicates that arts education is
Parent Teacher Magazine • Sept/Oct 2019 • 7