The Clifton Strength Assessment program, which was instituted into the Dayton Independent Schools district in the elementary school last fall, has expanded to be included in the high school.
The program, which consists of testing students to find out what their three top strengths are, allows teachers to use the information whenever they need extra help for a child to understand their studies or understand themselves.
Superintendent Jay Brewer told Dayton board of education members last week a story about his encounter with an older elementary students.
“I was down by the crosswalks, and a student came up to me and stopped, and said ‘You’re smart!’, and I wasn’t sure what that referred to,” Brewer said. “Then he said, ‘I’m like you, I’m a future thinker.’ And then it clicked, and I knew what it was, he had gotten the results of his Star test. So I said, what are your other two traits? And he said, ‘I’m an organizer and I have presence. I am not present, I have presence!’ He wanted to make sure I understood. He was very proud of it.”
Heather Dragan, principal of Lincoln Elementary, has been very pleased with the program. Thanks to a grant through Learning Grove, all students in grades four through six took a test called the Clifton Strength Explorer Assessment. She said there are 10 areas, and when the students take the test, they have their strong areas noted, and the top three are highlighted. Now preschool through third grade students are learning about how valuable learning about strengths is.
There will be a special family event on May 16 where the scores are formally shared with the families.
Scott Meyer, principal of Dayton High School, liked the program so much he wants to institute it there. Superintendent Brewer said that the same grant that provided the program to the elementary school will now fund it in the high school.
In other business, Ron Kinmon, director of student services, told the board about a program started by the Kentucky State Police called Handle With Care. When police officers have to come to a home, if there are school-aged children there, a confidential message is sent to the school noting the students and their ages. The title of the message is Handle with Care, and no other information is given. This enables school officials to keep an eye on the students so that if they are having trouble dealing with the police being at their home, or the reason the police were at the house, they can talk to guidance counselors.
Kinmon said for instance, if a student comes in with a hoodie and headphones, and the principal sees him and knows he had trouble at his house the night before, he is less likely to come down on him harshly, knowing he might not need another problem on his plate.
To date, 1,194 schools across the state have signed up for this program. The goal is to mitigate the negative effects of trauma on children. If a child exhibits problematic behavior, the teacher has advance knowledge of possible exposure to trauma, and then can provide care and understanding instead of discipline and punishment. In some cases, school counselors or therapists can provide necessary services.
Superintendent Brewer praised the program, saying it gives schools a tool to be able to understand students and help them.
Kinmon also reported that enrollment in the district is at 777, and the attendance is at 92.21 percent. He said chronic absenteeism is everywhere in the country right now, and the district is aware that it needs to re-establish the habits of going to school every day. He said this is the direct result of the pandemic and its impact on in-person learning.
Kinmon acknowledged that the attitude of sickness has changed, and parents realize they can’t just send their child to school if they have cold symptoms because they are very likely to be sent home again.
Superintendent Brewer reported upgrades to food service, saying they are on schedule to install the new freezers and floor. But he also said that they need workers. He told the board they are still coming up about 3 to 4 people short.
Kinmon said the district requested a capital funds transfer in the amount of $160,000 for the properties at 774 and 768 Third Street. These properties have already been purchased and torn down, but the district has to have the money in the correct place. Eventually the district would like to use the acquired properties to expand the district’s footprint.
Students were honored as students of the month from the high school. Hailee DeBruler, Hailey McVey, Mason Fromeyer, Carson Hard, Cooper Sparks and Juan Naranjo were honored from grades 7 through 12.
Athlete of the month is Lacey Holt, who was selected in part due to her election to the division three basketball all-star game, and her extensive contributions to both basketball and soccer.
Artist of the month is Kevin Buemi, due to his superb work ethic and his willingness to try new things. The board appreciate his black and white realistic drawings, and has pushed himself this year in creativity.
