School district administrators meet, greet Worthville families

By SHARON GRAVES The News-Democrat

Sharon Graves

Anna Howell,seated, grandmother to Jessica Howell, 10, standing, speaks to Superintendent Lisa James at Worthville Firehouse during a "meet and greet" with the district's top administrative staff Monday, July 21.

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Sharon Graves

Dennis Wheeler provides tunes for the central office road show.

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Sharon Graves

Levi Underwood makes balloon animals to amuse children who came with their parents to a "meet and greet" with Carroll County School District administrators Monday, July 21.

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Sharon Graves

Superintendent Lisa James, third from right, ventured to Worthville with her administrative staff to meet and greet parents and students of the school district. From left are Larry Curell, the new chief operations officer and director of pupil personnel;

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The Carroll County School System central office staff, teachers and principals took their show on the road Monday night to meet and greet families in the Worthville firehouse.

Superintendent Lisa James explained that this was a way to get to know parents and grandparents of students in the district and for everyone to have some fun at the same time. "We hope to start with a few families and pull from the communities in which they live," James said. "We want to build relationships and get suggestions."

"We know we need to communicate better and we hope to create a more welcoming atmosphere," James added.

Anna Howell, grandmother to 10 year-old Jessica Howell had a chance to speak with Superintendent James. "This way I get to meet everybody and I don't have to travel," Howell said.

Bill Hogan, Assistant Superintendent admitted he has lots of stuff to learn. "We want all children to learn and to be successful," Hogan said. "We want to talk about success and and how to become better."

"The school has not been welcoming," Hogan admitted. "So many times our interactions with parents are negative and we want to take the first step to improve."

The Central Office road show featured hot dogs, chips, drinks and yogurt for refreshments. Levi Underwood was on hand making balloon animals and children could be fingerprinted or have their face painted.

Teachers were available to talk to, as were principals, and others who work with students. Seeing that children learn was the focus of everyone present. Parents could pick up lots of information for students as well as themselves from the many displays on education from childhood to adults.

Board of Education member Jennifer Beach was present also and hoped that this evening and others like it that are planned will translate into better relations with parents, teachers and students in the future.