Demorest Elementary School faculty huddle with Leo the Lion during “Celebration Friday” on January 29th. (PHOTO/Jordan Thomas)
Demorest Elementary School is celebrating its latest academic achievement and the “superheroes” who made it happen. The school held a pep rally Friday to celebrate its designation as a Title I Reward School for High Progress.
High Progress Schools are among the top 10% of the State’s Title I schools making the most progress in improving the performance of all students over three years on state assessments. This is the second time in five years Demorest has received the honor. Cornelia and Level Grove Elementary Schools also were named Title I Reward Schools by the State in December.
READ: State Recognizes Local Schools for Student Achievement
It’s a big accomplishment worthy of a big party and that’s exactly what DES staff and students got Friday!
Hillard Wilbanks Middle School cheerleaders pumped up the crowd with their dance routines. Piedmont College’s mascot Leo the Lion and Habersham Central’s Raider mascot also were there to keep spirits high. They danced with faculty, students and staff to the “Cupid Shuffle” and “Lean On Me.”
The Demorest Elementary School PTO printed up superhero t-shirts for everyone at the school. Principal Dr. Connie Yearwood says that’s because education requires superpowers. “Teaching kids takes a special superpower for our educators,” Yearwood said during the lively morning assembly, “and every student has a superpower to… ‘Start now, stay focused, and finish strong!’”
Yearwood says it’s that middle part, staying focused, that’s the hardest to do this time of year.
“There aren’t many vacation breaks from school for the children and this is a season where students often get sick and are unable to be in class,” she said. “If we can make it from this point in January – if we ‘Start now, Stay Focused, and Finish Strong’ – then we’ll be where we need to be in May.”
Cheering past successes and striving for new ones; that’s what Celebration Friday was all about. At the same time they were cheering them on, Yearwood and faculty encouraged their students to set education goals. “If learning becomes intrinsic to the students,” said Dr. Yearwood, “that leads them to take ownership of their education, and success really happens there.”
Demorest Elementary School
Celebration Friday
Friday, January 29, 2016
Photos by Jordan Thomas
(click to enlarge)
