Dierks School Board Highlights Student Achievements and New Appointments

The Dierks School Board recently held its regular monthly meeting, during which school principals presented updates on student enrollment and various initiatives, reflecting the district’s commitment to academic success and community engagement.

It was reported that the JoAnn Walters Elementary School had an enrollment of 291 students. The school community made headlines by collecting an impressive 3,720 items during a two-week food drive. These donations will bolster the elementary backpack program and support the Dierks food pantry, showcasing the students’ dedication to helping those in need.

At Dierks High School, Principal updates indicated an enrollment of 252 students. The school recognized its Students of the Month: Jett Jackson, Geovanny Rojo, and Kalee Mounts, as well as Employees of the Month Nancy Alsabrook and Anna Willis, honoring their exceptional contributions to the school community.

Looking ahead, Dierks High School will observe Red Ribbon Week this week partnering with the Howard County Sheriff’s Department and the Bridging the Gap organization. This initiative will provide drug-free presentations and training for 10th to 12th graders on using Narcan in overdose situations.

In a notable achievement, students Kayla Marquez and Steve Ortiz took the STAMPS 4s test to demonstrate their fluency in Spanish, surpassing the required scores in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Their ACT scores also qualify them for the Seal of Biliteracy, and their applications for national recognition have been submitted.

The board discussed the release of ATLAS testing data from October 14, with teams of teachers set to participate in ATLAS Data Training. This training aims to analyze scores and identify areas for targeted student progress to ensure alignment with grade-level expectations.

In a special called meeting that took place earlier this week, the Dierks School Board unanimously approved the hiring of Linda Kitchens as interim principal, according to the salary schedule for JoAnn Walters Elementary School. Michelle Godwin was also appointed as Dean of Students on an as-needed basis.