VIDEO: Year One a Success For LCSD Program

LOWNDES CO., Miss. (WCBI) — Friday marks the last day of classes for students, and Lowndes County School District administrators are calling the school year a major success.

Year one for the One To One program in Lowndes County schools is officially in the books, and every third grader in the county will move on to the fourth grade, including exemptions.

“We’ve gone from zero to ninety in mach record time…”, said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Robin Ballard, “…its been so phenomenal to watch everything fall into place like we planned it to.”

Ballard said the growth is noticeable in grades all over the county.

The One To One  program brought new technology such as iPads and Mac Books to every classroom within the school district.

Ballard said the success “speaks volumes” of the effort shown by teachers.

“We had such a great team that worked hard and researched a lot…”, Ballard says, “..we think that…work on the front end in having our instructor technology coaches is what really was the gas behind the project.”

Local teachers have also seen the improvements in the classroom.

“The kids have been really engaged…”, said New Hope Elementary School third grade teacher Erica Lewis, “…we’ve had a lot of opportunities to teach them new ways to provide information in different ways other than just pencil and paper.”

“They were able to virtually raise their hand if they needed help…”, said New Hope Elementary third grade teacher Annie Kate Garrett, “…I was able to respond to them while I was in my other center with my other children and help them even while not being at their table.”

Garrett also said the technology helps to grade assignments, giving teachers more free time to create lesson plans.

“…to get to this point where the children have been successful, its made me excited and proud to be a teacher”, said Garrett.

Ballard said she’s thankful for the Board of Trustees and the community for backing the school district on this program.