School board honors student academic achievements
FAIRMOUNT — Nearly three dozen second graders at Summitville Elementary School will not have to worry about taking the Indiana Reading Evaluation and Determination (IREAD) exam next year.
Following a tour at Summitville Elementary School, dozens of kids and their families filled the board room on March 17 at Madison-Grant High School. Several Summitville students waited for their principal, Andy Brown, to hand them their certificates for passing IREAD this year.
Third-grade students typically take this exam. However, the test is also required for second graders and has been for the past two years, according to Brown.
Nearly half the second-grade class have passed IREAD at Summitville this year.
“We had 34 students pass IREAD out of 76,” Brown told the board. “Reaching that halfway point of the second graders that got to that passing mark – which is phenomenal – means they don’t have to take it again in third grade.”
Second-grade students who passed IREAD this year are:
Alyssa Atkins
Aubrey White
Emily Balmer
Emery Miller
Noel Mansfield
Jackson Herniak
Isabella Lyons
Walker Nelson
Judd Fillenworth
Austin Klein
Gianna Shockey
Jaxon Meranda
Maeson Chapel
Whitleigh Kerrigan
Wyatt Flowers
Zaydee Krieg
Kaylee Marcum
Addyson Miller
Talon Ryan
Zipporah Dunham
Brielle Hollingsworth
Jace Jessup
Jazlyn Cole
Bryon Burmaster
Bentley Meisner
Haislee Phillips
Ellie Shrout
Liam Russell
Isaac Hull
Addilynn Morrison
Emmarey Stevens
Nora Collins
Madison Gibson
Billy Bailey
Both Aubrey White and Alyssa Atkins received perfect scores on their exams.
Brown praised the students, along with all of the second-grade teachers at Summitville, including Dalynn Haley and Julia Lambert, who attended Tuesday night’s meeting.
Brown also commended parents and guardians who have worked with their kids at home in preparation for the test.
Park Elementary Principal Elizabeth Duckwall also congratulated the group and gave the kids some words of encouragement.
“First of all, second graders, that is so impressive,” she said. “And I can only look forward to what you’re going to do as third graders and beyond, because I know you’re going to continue to build those reading skills the rest of this year.”
She also gave them something to look forward to next year.
“When you come to third grade, we’re just going to really have to work to amp it up, to challenge you and keep you going,” she said. “Again, congratulations.”
Duckwall recognized one student from Park who received a perfect IREAD score this year.
“We are proud that we have a number of students in addition to last year who passed,” she said. “But we had one perfect score, and that is Bryar Avila.”
Following the presentation, Duckwall presented Bryar with his student spotlight certificate, while Haney and Lambert helped Brown pass out awards to the second-grade students who came to the meeting.
Interim Superintendent Ben Mann invited the kids and their families to stay for the rest of the meeting but said they were more than welcome to take pictures out in the hallway.
The group chose to assemble in the hall for photo ops.
Alumni Association update
During public comments, Madison-Grant Alumni Association President Andrew VanNess shared an organization update with the school board.
“I just wanted to let you know that we received approval from Indiana Secretary of State, Diego Morales, for our articles of incorporation,” he said. “As of March 6, we are officially the Madison-Grant Alumni Association.”
Following VanNess’s comments, the board applauded his news.
Next meeting and livestream details
The next public school board meeting will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 in the conference room at the high school, 11700 E. 00 W., Fairmount.
The board will conduct its executive session following the public meeting.
The school board now livestreams its public board meetings. These can be viewed on the corporation’s YouTube channel by visiting https://www.youtube.com/@MadGrantUSC Board.