Daingerfield Junior High chosen for “Best Practices”

Daingerfield Junior High School has been chosen by the Texas Education Agency to take part in a best practices case studies project. On Jan. 12, Commissioner of Education Mike Morath announced that seven campuses had been chosen by the TEA to take part in the project. Each of the seven campuses had been designated by TEA as a High Performing and High Progress Title I Reward School. “The success taking place at each one of these schools represents the very best in Texas public education,” said Commissioner Morath. “Each year, we spotlight that success to assist other school districts in achieving similar positive results.” Through the combined efforts of DJHS faculty and staff, the junior high administration, and Curriculum Coordinator, Martha Campbell, DJHS has gone from good to outstanding according to Rhymes. All the staff at the school are on board with Rhymes’ principle of replace negative behaviors with positive behaviors. “All staff members are involved in building the student’s confidence level,” said Rhymes. Students hear all day long, from every staff member, that they are smart, they are successful, and they are important. And, just as important as the staff all being on the same page, the students all buy in to the belief as well. Rhymes and her staff work with every student, and group them according to their needs. If there are resources needed to benefit students, then those resources are available to the students. For example, the computer labs are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:55 a.m., and then again from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each school day for students’ use. One computer lab has been updated with new computers while the second lab will be updated next year. “I am very appreciative of our leaders, Mrs. (Sandra) Quarles and Mrs. Campbell. They make sure we have the resources we need to make sure the students’ achieve their best,” said Rhymes.

To continue reading this article, purchase the January 21st edition of the Steel Country Bee, or go to our online e-edition at: http://www.etypeservices.com/Daingerfield%20BeeID312/default.aspx