Maxwell Elementary ready for school year

(From left) Maxwell Elementary School principle Melissa Hayes, talks with 2nd grade teacher Katie O'Connor and 3rd grade teachers Louisa Castor and Brenda Hill during a workshop at the school Tuesday. The workshop was part of final preparations for the school's opening today. (U.S. Air Force photo/Carl Bergquist)

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Maxwell Elementary ready for school year

Published Aug. 7, 2009
By Carl Bergquist
Air University Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- A process that began a few years ago at the Maxwell Elementary School is again in full swing this year, said the school's principle Tuesday.

The process is "continuous school improvement," and it is intended to enhance the quality of education for MES students, Melissa Hayes said.

"We are looking at the data from standardized testing and classroom assessments to see where our students are and what they need," she said. "We can then take a look at how to change our teaching methods to meet the needs of the students."

Ms. Hayes said the process is "going well," and last year, AdvancED, the accreditation organization the school falls under, gave Maxwell Elementary School accreditation for the next five years.

"What is neat about the accreditation process is that AvancED gives us recommendations on how we might change and improve things, and that adds to our attitude of continuous school improvement," she said.

Ms. Hayes said this year, Legorobotics, where the children build robots from Lego parts; participation in the base's Science and Technology Academies Reinforcing Basic Aviation and Space Exploration, or STARBASE, program; and the Science, Math, Aerospace, Research and Technology, or SMART, day will continue, and she has some new programs in the works.

"I will be offering a 'Lunch and Learn' program four times this year which is designed to help parents support beginning reading at home," she said. "Also, this provides an opportunity to get parents together to share ideas on how we can help their children in school. If they [parents] bring a sandwich, I'll provide the drinks, and we can lunch and learn together."

Ms. Hayes said the family fun nights and a chili cook-off, both events from past years, will also continue this year.

She said the MES is a Defense Education Activity under the Department of Defense, and so far this year, there are about 275 students enrolled at the school in Pre-K through sixth grade. Ms. Hayes said she has a staff of 23 teachers "excited and ready" for today's school year opening, and the "sneak-a-peak" open house was held Thursday to give parents and students a chance to see the school.

"Our teachers support special needs children, to include speech and physical therapy, and are ready and qualified to answer any questions parents might have," she said. "And, my door is always open to parents with questions or concerns. I also read to children, and that fits into my background of being a reading specialist."

Ms. Hayes said any child living in base housing, either on Maxwell or Gunter, is eligible to attend MES. Children from Gunter are bused to and from Maxwell each day. Due to the nature of Air Force life, with people coming and going at different time, the Maxwell Elementary School accepts enrollments throughout the school year. For additional information, call the school at 953-7804.