Students in Mrs. Caudill’s third grade class at Butler Elementary are learning there is more to school than just the 3 R’s!  They are discussing what it means to respect others and create a positive classroom culture!  Submitted by Tammy Smith

Walton Middle School science teacher Mrs. Greer Harvell welcomed students back to school with a fun, get-to-know-your-teacher lesson that combined evidence-based writing and inquiry skills.  Throughout the year, science students will investigate science topics through literacy and hands-on practice using the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning strategy (CER).  Mrs. Harvell introduced the CER approach on the second day of school by allowing students an opportunity to get to know her.  Mrs. Harvell filled a table at the front of her classroom with many miscellaneous personal objects and asked students to come up, examine the objects, and draft a claim about who their teacher is based on the evidence before them.  After drafting individual claims, students collaborated with shoulder partners, then shared their ideas with the class, supporting their thoughts with evidence and reasoning.  Not only did the activity give students a chance to learn more about their teacher, but it also introduced them to a powerful evidence-based inquiry strategy for successful science learning.  Submitted by Kristen Nelson

In the their first week as students at Paxton school, Mrs. Allen's Pre-K students got to participate in their first science experiment of the year, in which the expanded water beads. It is clear that the newest editions to the Bobcat family are in for an exciting year. submitted by Kalli McMillan

Superintendent Hughes honored the faculty and staff of Paxton School with a visit during the first week of school. He got a chance to talk with students and teachers about making the school year POP! Submitted by Kalli McMillan