As families got back into the groove of early mornings, bell schedules, bus stops and drop-off lanes, teachers and supporting staff were delighted to welcome students for another year of educational opportunities.
Starting the academic year on Thursday, Aug. 3, this year’s initiatives will include professors traveling to Columbia County District schools from Augusta University to provide dual enrollment classes, and the opening of the long awaited Junior Achievement Discovery Center later in January 2024.
As the 10-year building program continues to progress in many parts of the district, Superintendent Steven Flynt said his staff could not be happier with the project’s forecasted completion.
“We’re well into working on that this year, and our revised strategic plan has been really exciting,” said Flynt. “This is our second year moving into that and we look through that new vision to engage, enrich and inspire all of our students … this year, we’re going to really focus on engagement, and not just with the students. We also want our employees and the community engaged.”
Side-by-side with Flynt, Evans High School principal Wade White greeted students and pumped them up for another year of rigorous classes that are sure to engage them into learning as they prepare for college.
“I’m looking forward to seeing my students return today, and seeing them learn and grow to become fine young men and women,” said White. “We have worked very tirelessly this summer with their schedules, their course work and we’re all excited to have them back.”
Constantly trying to improve in all areas, White said the school focused last year on upgrading the math courses, and is now concentrating on enhancing the English and Language Arts (ELA) classes.
“We have a new ELA series that we’re implementing this year that will help out all of our learners,” he said. “It still teaches the same standards; it’s just a better resource for teachers to be able to meet the needs of all students, and to be able to give them research-based strategies to help them learn and grow.”
Also introducing a new dual enrollment ELA course set to start up soon in congruence with the district’s recent Augusta University partnership, White said he felt having professors come onsite was going to level the educational playing field for those who did have transportation available to them in the past.
“We have about 20 kids and looking to get a few more in that,” he said. “It just provides an opportunity for my community to be able to gain college coursework without having to travel all the way downtown. It’s good from an economic standpoint, and it’s good because kids can take other classes here …they can take the AU course and then walk right down the hall for maybe a math or AP course.”
Looking to also continue expanding student horizons, Flynt said the district has been communicating with businesses to collaborate in schools’ work study courses to support staff in providing real life experiences and assist in keeping up with student demand.
“Two years ago, we only had about 20 students that were involved in our work study program; this year, we’re starting out with over 400 students and that continues to grow,” he said. “They are going out to work somewhere with internships and work studies at local businesses. We thank all of them for allowing that, and hopefully they’re going to find that our students have great value to serve us in the community as well. So, not only are our students learning, but they’re also able to give back in a number of ways in the workforce.”
Flynt said early career experience and exposure was important because it not only gave students connections, but in some cases it helped them narrow down their career pursuits, which would make continued education easier as graduates will experience less confusion in deciding future plans.
“Trying to give experiences to students is important – whether it’s a college class, work study, advanced placement or maybe even international baccalaureate or any of our CTAE (career, technology, agricultural education) programs,” he said. “There’s a lot of ways to get them engaged in their education, as well as their core subjects. Athletics, band and fine arts are all a part of the high school experience, and we want our students to be a part of that.”
With Columbia Middle School, Harlem Middle School and Euchee Creek Elementary School set to open soon, Flynt said he is confident it will be another great year for students and staff in the Columbia County District.
