RRSpin - KIPP Halifax gets donation for reading program

Thursday, 26 January 2017 17:45

KIPP Halifax gets donation for reading program

Written by Lance Martin

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Wilkins displays the promotional check as Allison applauds.

There was cause for celebration at KIPP Halifax today, a $12,500 donation for its library and kudos from two organizations recognizing its position as the best performing middle school in the county.

The day was also to recognize and celebrate National School Choice Week with students and staff.
The student body gathered in the school’s cafeteria today and as a warm-up did chants and dances as motivation for them to read 1 million words in its accelerated reader program, said school founder and leader Marlo Wilkins.
The $12,500, donated by Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, will go to the program, said Wilkins, boosting the number of books students can read to 3,000 where currently there are 1,100. “The dollars will be used to expand the books and we have to have computers to check in and check out books.”

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The entire student body, which consists of 245, participates in the program where the goal is to read 1 million words a year. The students are tested on what they read, Wilkins said. “It builds vocabulary and fluency and promotes a love of reading.”
Thomas Miller, a coaching and teaching consultant with Leaders Building Leaders said National School Choice Week is an effort promote the educational options available to parents, whether it is through homeschooling or charter schools.
Across the country there are 21,000 charter schools and there are 600 in North Carolina, Miller said. “In North Carolina there are 87,000 students in charter schools. It’s doubled since the cap was eliminated. It will continue to grow.”
Wilkins was ecstatic over the money the school was to receive. “I’m so excited with what we’re going to do with the money we’re going to receive.”
After the students assembled in the cafeteria, she told them, “We’re super excited to have (Harris and Parents for Educational Freedom) join us. We are going to have a celebration today.”
Darrell Allison, president of Parents for Educational Freedom, told those assembled the organization was proud of eliminating the cap on charter schools. “We believe you have a school focused fully on pride and (staff who) can reach these young folks. We have our eyes on you guys. The results have been astronomical, the highest performing middle school in Halifax County. You guys are knocking it out of the park.”
Wilkins told Allison and the student body she was humbled. “Our work is not finished. Until you walk across that college stage the work is not finished.”
Miller praised Wilkins for her vision. “She spent hours and hours working on the charter application. Keep up the pace and don’t fall back because you’ve had a little bit of success.”

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