By Jared Putnam
Staff Writer
Acronyms like MTSS, SEL, and PBIS have become staples of the public school system.
While the terminology can sometimes be confusing, difficult to remember, or even lead to suspicion, the programs are typically designed to support students at fundamental levels.
Heather Plemmons, who is the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) coordinator for Clay County Schools, described the program as now being in the "doing" phase within the school system as she updated the board of education on Monday during their September monthly meeting.
"MTSS is becoming part of our common language," Plemmons said. "That means we are creating a structure to support all students at every level by providing appropriate interventions with academic, social-emotional, and behavioral supports."
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support is defined as a multi-tiered framework which promotes school improvement through engaging, research-based academic and behavioral practices as well as Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). MTSS employs a systems approach using data-driven problem solving to maximize growth for all.
Plemmons gave an example of the ways in which Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS), which falls under the umbrella of MTSS, is being implemented at Hayesville Primary School. PBIS encourages students to be respectful, be responsible, be safe, and be a learner. The school will feature posters that list what those traits look like in environments including classrooms, cafeterias, hallways, and outside.
"These overlying themes would also work at any of the other schools," Plemmons said. "It might look a little bit different in a primary school cafeteria than it does at a high school, but it's still the same ideas."
Other notes from the September board meeting:
— The board voted to maintain its current face covering policy. As of Monday, 95 students and 9 staff members were quarantined due to COVID-19 cases or exposure. The number was nearly triple two weeks earlier, when 300 students and staff members were quarantined due to the virus. "I think it's cause to celebrate that every one of our numbers have gone down in every category for two weeks in a row," Clay County Superintendent Dale Cole said. "I'm hopeful that by October we can make some adjustments, and maybe in November make some further adjustments."
— Cole recognized nine substitute teachers who have worked for 10 or more days this semester and four who have worked five or more days. "Without these substitute teachers, we would've had to shut down," Cole said. "We thank them so much for their willingness to help us and we're going to get a gift for them as well from the district level."
— The board recognized Jacob Christiansen, a Hayesville High junior who is student body president and who is on track to receive his associate's degree at the same time as his diploma. Hayesville High Principal Stacey Overlin presented Christiansen with Microsoft Office Specialist certificates that he recently earned. Overlin also credited Christiansen for taking the time to work with seventh and eighth-grade band students. Cole presented Christiansen with a letter of appreciation for what he's done as a student.
— Cole provided an update about a variety of recent improvements to school facilities, including the installation of a new shower to the bus garage and the addition of a nursing station in Hayesville Middle School.
— Cole informed the board about an available option in which teachers can earn $25 per hour for two additional hours of work per week, outside of school day, to work on providing instruction to remote, quarantined students.
— The board approved a memorandum of understanding to use the $45,942.08 in the aviation program account to pay for Hayesville High students and Tri-County Early College students to have flight lessons with flight instructors approved by WNC Youth Aviation Foundation.