Older generations turn out to support Snowden’s K thru 8
AURORA – A quick look along the packed pews of New Growth Unlimited Ministries Church last Thursday evening, Sept. 5, hinted at part of the problem – a dearth of young parents!
Grandparents and even great-grandparents were there in goodly numbers. All seriously concerned about the plight of education in this small, close-knit community. Catalyst for the gathering was Beaufort County Schools’ sudden announcement that Snowden’s popular Pre-Kindergarten program had been canceled for the 2024-2025 school year.
Give credit to Snowden principal Dr. Patricia Horton, and to Beaufort County Board of Education member Charles Hickman. Both officials were there to take some of the heat, while conceding major problems on multiple fronts.
The common denominator? Horton said it is students who show up for class unprepared, and many lacking even minimal support at home – like parents reading to children just 15 minutes each night.
“Where are the parents?” was a frequent refrain from those who attended. Horton, a veteran educator, cited the huge importance of parental involvement outside the classroom.
“This community does not really know who I am,” said Horton. “To help make Snowden a great school, we need to all pull together. My whole thing is to employ great teachers, not just teachers who want to pick up a check.”
She later stressed that without committed parents “our children do not want to read, and do not want to do homework.” As a result, she said, “we are a D in math, and a D in reading.”
Hickman bluntly tackled the elephant in the room – declining reputation of a once-heralded Snowden Elementary.
“I’ve heard some teachers view coming to Snowden as a death sentence,” said Hickman, who later added that Pre-K at Snowden had been eliminated because its highly-qualified teacher had been asked to teach a higher grade.
Pledging her continued commitment to help turn things around, Dr. Horton shared a vision for Snowden’s youngsters.
“Career choices early are important,” said Horton. She then suggested an experience and possible inspiration that could work wonders: “My hope is that some of our kids can visit the campuses of Historically Black Colleges & Universities – so they can picture themselves there one day.”
Publisher/Editor
