14 minute read
Pike Road Education Matters
Spring is here, and with the beauty of the blossoms
comes the final
stretch of the school year. The Pike Road School System has been busy keeping things
going and growing.
The Pike Road Board of Education hired Dr. Keith Lankford to serve as the next superintendent of Pike Road Schools. Dr. Lankford is an experienced superintendent who will lead Pike Road to continue to grow and improve. The process of building a high school is continuing with planning, land purchase, and design taking place currently. The new Pike Road High School will provide classroom space
that will allow a reconfiguration of grade
levels at all campuses to allow room for growth across the board.
As I look back on the last five years
that I have had the honor of serving as Pike Road’s school superintendent, I am amazed at the accomplishments of the
Pike Road Schools family. We have grown
from 1400 students to 2700 students, from one campus to three campuses,
offered high quality programs to serve
every child in academics, arts, and athletics, and accomplished it all through the
efforts of the finest educators in the River
Region.
Pike Road will continue to grow and attract families who value education and
are committed to offering their children
every opportunity for success. The results of that work ethic will continue to be evidenced by championship programs in academics through competitions and scholarships, by championship results in our performing and visual arts programs, and through championships in play through our athletic programs.
I look forward to seeing Pike Road graduates take their ability to think, innovate, and create into this ever changing world and make the future brighter through their abilities.
Go Patriots!
Chuck Ledbetter has been an educator for 30 years. He earned a B.A. in history from Auburn University; a Masters of Education in history from AUM; and a doctorate in educational leadership from Auburn University. Ledbetter was a history teacher for 11 years, an assistant principal, a middle school principal, a high school principal, assistant superintendent for curriculum and for finance, and is in his 11th year as a superintendent. He is married to Kim and has three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren.
Dr. Keith Lankford has been named the third superintendent of Pike Road Schools. At a called board meeting on March 15, the Pike Road Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to hire Lankford. The Board chose him after an extensive search for candidates that began in January, when Dr. Chuck Ledbetter announced his intent to leave the school system. Most stakeholders wanted someone with experience as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Areas of expertise include Curriculum Development and Evaluation, Organizational Leadership, and Leading Innovation in Education.
“Pike Road is a place where the community is engaged in their schools,” Lankford said. “The school system is a major reason people move to Pike Road. I am excited to partner with parents, students, educators and community members to continue to grow Pike Road Schools into one of the top systems in the state.”
Lankford is a graduate of Enterprise High School and spent several years in the Army and the National Guard. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Troy, his education specialist degree from Jacksonville State, and his doctorate from the University of Alabama. He has worked at almost every level in education, from paraprofessional to six years as superintendent. Lankford has been married to his wife, Cathy, for 32 years and they have two adult children. Colten recently earned his Ph.D. and works in molecular medicine, while Kara is a recent graduate of the UAB School of dentistry.
“My wife and I are excited to become the newest members of the Pike Road Community.” he said. “It is truly an honor, and I’m ready to serve.”
Lankford is working with his current school system to determine when he will transition to his new role at Pike Road Schools. Pike Road’s current superintendent, Dr. Ledbetter, plans to lead Pike Road until the end of May.
PRIS Fifth-Graders Study U.S. Constitution
Mr. Phillips’ fifth-grade learners at Pike Road Intermediate crafted the U.S. Constitution. Each learner was a different delegate at the Constitutional Convention, and they were able to debate what each state wanted in the new constitution.
Macon East Academy Volleyball Standouts Sign with Southern Union
Macon East Academy seniors Maddie Ross and Savannah Sharpe both accepted scholarships to continue their volleyball careers at Southern Union Community College in a signing ceremony held at the school recently. They both helped lead the Lady Knights to a Class AAA runner-up finish in the state volleyball tournament this past season.
Ross is an outside hitter and has played with the Lady Knights team the past four years, including the state championship team in 2018. She has played in two state championship finals and been a part of two final four teams. She finished the season with 201 kills and 125 digs.
Sharpe has only been on the team for one year, but prior to this season she was a part of three state championships and a national championship. She finished the 2021 season with 600 assists.
PRHS Senior Receives Nat’l Merit Recognition
Pike Road High School senior Beth Stengel has been named a National Merit Finalist! She is among less than 1% of seniors in the United States who have received this prestigious distinction.
PRHS Softball Player Makes Top of the List
Pike Road High School student Haley Melton made the top 22 in 2022 list. She is definitely off to a great start this season and is a key piece in the building of our Patriot softball program.
Pike Road Custodian Named Finalist in Cintas Competition
Gerald Carter has been named a finalist for the Custodian of The Year Award from Cintas! Carter is a valued member of the Pike Road Elementary School community. He’s recognized for going above and beyond for students and staff day-in and day-out. For example, he will attend students’ events outside of the school day to show his support for them and he even remembers their birthdays. When teachers request assistance, he’s right there to jump in and help with whatever is needed, like getting a band-aid for a crying student. Carter does the dirtiest jobs without ever complaining and always has a smile on his face.
Visit www.custodianoftheyear.com/ cast-your-votes-now-cintas-reveals-top10-finalists-in-nationwide-2022-custodianof-the-year-contest/.
Pike Road Intermediate Faculty Member Wins State Mentor Award
Catherine Kenny, a gifted education specialist at Pike Road Intermediate, has received the VEX Robotics Mentor of the Year for the State of Alabama award.
Mayor Stone Visits Pike Road Pre-K
Pre-K had a special visitor to kick off Read Across America Week. Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone came and read to the Pre-K learners. They were so excited to meet the mayor!
MEA Alum Chosen for Special Honor at Auburn
Macon East Academy alum Jake Wyrosdick has been chosen as a War Eagle Plainsmen for 2022 - 2023 at Auburn University! The War Eagle Girls and Plainsmen are charged with the duty and honor of representing Auburn University students to faculty, administrators, and the community.
Local Doctor Visits PRIS Students for Eye Unit
Dr. Chelsea Ward paid a visit to Pike Road Intermediate’s 4th-grade learners to perform an eyeball dissection! They also got to use their creativity to construct eyeball projects.
Pike Road High Tennis Team Starts Strong
The Lady Patriots Tennis team won 9-0 against Carroll of Ozark.
Autauga County Schools
Billingsley Teachers Receive CAEC Grants
Three Billingsley School teachers are recipients of Central Alabama Electric Cooperative’s Bright Ideas Grant for 2022. Abby Loudermilk received a grant to help purchase supplies that will allow students to work on academic and vocational skills, helping them prepare for the transition from high school to employment. The funds awarded to Logan Strock will be used for the development of a poultry program at the school. Tammy Tindol received funds that will be used to construct a sensory garden for its educational and therapeutic benefits.
PCA’s Competitive Cheer Team Travels to Orlando
Prattville Christian Academy’s competitive cheer team recently competed at the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s National High School Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida. As a new competition team, the Panthers achieved their goal of advancing to the semi-final round, placing second with zero deductions, but ultimately fell short of the finals by 0.7 of a point.
Pike Road Junior High Golf Team in Full Swing
The Prattville Junior High golf team is in full swing. These Lady Cats have represented our school so well and have learned a skill that will be a lifelong hobby!
PCA Senior Named National Merit Finalist
Prattville Honor Student Nominated for The Congress of Future Medical Leaders
Julia Griffin, a sophomore at Prattville High School, wss a delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders March 26-27. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. The purpose of this event is to honor, inspire, motivate and direct the top students in the country interested in these careers, to stay true to their dream and, after the event, to provide a path, plan and resources to help them reach their goal. Griffin’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent Prattville High School based on her academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
During the two-day Congress, Griffin joined students from across the country and heard Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science Winners talk about leading medical research; was given advice from Ivy League and top medical school deans on what to expect in medical school; witnessed stories told by patients who are living medical miracles; was inspired by fellow teen medical science prodigies; and learned about cutting-edge advances and the future in medicine and medical technology. Prattville Christian Academy senior Maddie Jeffery advances as PCA’s first National Merit Finalist. She was one of 15,000 high school seniors nationwide to move forward in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. She will now compete for approximately 7,500 scholarships worth more than $30 million and the title of Merit Scholar.
Autauga County Expands Technology Center
The expansion of the Autauga County Technology Center (ACTC) will be a big asset because it will offer students more opportunities for dual enrollment in preparation for high-tech careers, Autauga County School Superintendent Timothy Tidmore said at the groundbreaking for the center.
A large crowd of city, county, community and ACTC officials participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the 18,290-squarefoot expansion and the community open house that followed. There was also a Career Day for students at the center.
Career Day featured a variety of exhibitors, made up of local industries and businesses. These organizations highlighted company information and shared relevant skill sets for their career paths to the students.
Tidmore said the ACTC expansion will go hand-in-hand with more opportunities for dual enrollment at the new Central Alabama Community College located at 1320 Old Ridge Road in Prattville. The site was previously East Memorial Christian Academy.
The Prattville Chamber hosted the groundbreaking in celebration of the expansion project for the ACTC, located at 1301 Upper Kingston Road in Prattville. This expansion project will create four new shops to be used for the ACTC’s fire science, engineering, welding and automotive programs. It is expected to be completed in about a year.
Thirteen Career Tech Programs are now offered including agriconstruction, automotive, business management, cosmetology, education and training, electrical, engineering, family and consumer sciences, finance, fire science, health science, information technology, and welding.
(Courtesy of Elmore Autauga News)
Pine Level Purchases Art Kits
This year, Pine Level Elementary was fortunate enough to purchase art kits for all of our K-5 students. Teachers lead the students one day a month through an art activity tapping into the creative part of their brains. The students love this day with an opportunity to express themselves through the arts.
Autauga County Schools
Taylor Gloystein, a senior at Prattville High School, has been named a National Merit Finalist. Gloystein is the goalie for the Prattville High School Lady Lions Soccer Team and a six-year letterman. She has played soccer for 12 years. She is also very active at school – president of Science Olympiad, president of the Junior Civitans and a member of the National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Students. Gloystein is a very strong student and scored a 1560 on the SAT with a perfect score on the math section. She also made a 35 on the ACT. She is looking at schools like Baylor, Clemson and Auburn. She spent time this summer at a Biomedical Engineering Camp at Clemson where she sutured pig hearts. Gloystein plans to major in Biomedical Engineering and minor in mathematics. She wants to be a trauma surgeon.
The Parents of Prattville Junior High treated the staff to a Taco Twosday on 2-22-22. We are grateful for the scores of parents who sponsored a lunch for our teachers and who support us on a consistent basis. Partnerships matter, and our parents are the best
Local Church Helps Prattville Intermediate
Members of Glynwood Baptist Church stopped by Prattville Intermediate School for a little community service. Great job, guys!
PI Day at Prattville Junior High School
One of our favorite days at Prattville Junior High is Pi Day, which is celebrated in a big fashion on the 8th-grade hallway. Students were able to taste test lots of types of “pie” and were able to give random facts about the need for pi and how it affects our everyday lives. Math really is important....and can be lots of fun!
Family Movie Night at Prattville Intermediate School
Pine Level Counselor Teaches Friendship
Mrs. Ellender, 3rd-5th grade counselor at Pine Level Elementary, is teaching a lesson on Friendship. The lesson focuses on the students synergizing to solve a problem in the form of a breakout room game. The students must kindly work together, problem solve, and strategize to break out and win the game. Gunner, one of Pine Level’s facility dogs, is pictured supporting the students in their efforts.
Pine Level Participates in Marbury Festival
Pine Level Elementary School participated in the Marbury Fine Arts Festival February 24. Each grade level participated by completing different art projects, including an art enrichment class. Many pieces were displayed at Boones Chapel.
PCA Senior Receives Bryant-Jordan Award
Prattville Christian Academy senior Caroline Schumpert was recently honored with the regional scholarship for The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Achievement Award, selected for her outstanding perseverance in the face of adversity. After discovering she was deaf following her international adoption from China, Schumpert began the long road of tackling the challenges presented by therapy and schooling as she learned how to hear, read and communicate with bilateral cochlear implants.
