State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson presented part of $4.8 million made available to school districts in North Carolina to Princeton Elementary on Monday.
The funds, which are part of the Read to Achieve state funding, is being made available to be used for additional K-3 literacy support. Every school district in North Carolina with early elementary grades is receiving $200 for each K-3 reading teacher to purchase literacy materials.
“Anytime we can put more dollars in our school funds to help teachers do what they do on a daily basis and make a positive impact for students is welcome and appreciated,” said Johnston County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Ross Renfrow.
Johnson was joined at Princeton Elementary by several state and local elected officials, including Rep. Donna White, Rep. John Bell, Rep. Larry Strickland, and Johnston County Board of Education member Todd Sutton.
Princeton Elementary students and staff, as well as the elected officials were invited to endorse the check after it was presented to the school.
Princeton Elementary Principal Rhonda Ward invited the school’s guests into several classrooms to get a first-hand look at what quality classroom instruction looks like in Johnston County Public Schools.
“We were lucky to have our guests visit classrooms that are working in groups, collaborating, and doing processes they wouldn’t normally do if they were just sitting listening to a teacher,” said Ward. “We were excited for them to see everything going on in our building.”
Ward said the additional funds will help teachers purchase books and materials for group instruction, as well as help implement strategies to personalize instruction.
“We like to use those funds for small group instruction. Kids like to have their own book in their own hands,” said Ward. “A lot of what we’re using that money for in our building is books for children.”
The funds can be used for literacy instruction and parental engagement, either in the classroom or at home. Funds can be used for literacy materials including:
- Books to send home with students to support and encourage reading over the summer
- Books for classrooms
- Online subscriptions for digital or downloadable books and instructional materials
- Hands-on resources for individual students, small groups, or work-stations – especially materials to support students at risk of being reading retained
- Equipment, instructional tools, and supplies to aid teachers in whole class, small group, or individual instruction
“Money doesn’t solve everything, but often it makes things easier. This way teachers won’t have to spend money out of pocket. They’ll have the resources at the school level,” said Renfrow. “When teachers and principals work together the students will reap the benefits.”
