The Winslow Unified School District Governing Board recognized eighth grade student Aaliyah Nichols last week for an award-winning drawing she created. As her instructor Christa Knox explained, Nichols was selected to represent Arizona in a national art competition.
Knox said, “I am a member of the Arizona Art Educators Association (AAEA) and every year, the AAEA asks students from all over the state to design a state flag. The winning designs are made into flags and taken to the national conference to represent the state. This year, Aailyah (Nichols) was selected as the single winner from the middle school division in the state.”
The flag designed by Nichols is currently flying at the National Art Educators Association conference in New York City.
The next presentation of the meeting was given by junior high and high school band instructor Tyler Allen. Allen let the board know that there are currently only 29 members of the WHS band, and he sees it as a concern.
“This is the lowest membership number in program history. Back in 2001, there were upwards of 150 students in the band.”
Allen believes that part of the reason for low enrollment in band is, “An inconsistent feeder program,” which he explained is due to the instructor turnover rates in the music program. He does have a plan to rectify this situation and bring more students into band, both during marching season and the concert season.
“I am proposing we do away with fifth and sixth grade general music classes and have students choose between band, orchestra or choir those years.”
This, according to Allen, has the potential to excite students toward music and hopefully keep them in the program through junior high and high school.
Allen added, “Our program is fully funded. We have plenty of instruments and now, we have solid instructors at the elementary and junior high school levels. We just see the value in music for students and would like to resuscitate this program. It is proven that students who take part in music classes perform better on tests. That alone is a great reason to get kids involved and ready to play.”
In other business, and in the absence of President Joey Hartnett and Vice President Al Leonard, the governing board:
* Recognized February employees of the month Drew Luzier, WJHS social studies instructor and Jessica Scott, a paraprofessional.
* Ratified vouchers in a routine procedure that allows the board to submit vouchers to the County Superintendent between meetings.
* Approved the hiring of the following WJHS track coaches Christie Bratt, Kim Henling, Taylor Mills and Sarah Shumway.
* Approved the formation of the WHS Yearbook Club.
* Approved the following student activity fundraiser requests: A paper, rock, scissors tournament and “Flock a Teacher for the freshman class; eTeam sponsorship, online team shop and beef jerky for the WHS Baseball Club; and a senior slideshow presentation for the WHS Yearbook Club.
* Approved Lakeshore Learning and School outfitters as sole source providers for school supplies for the remainder of the school year.
The next meeting of the Winslow Unified School District Governing Board will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, in the district meeting room, located at 800 N. Apache Ave.
