Principal details magnet school’s first-year progress

BAKER — The Baker School Board meeting at Park Ridge Elementary Magnet started on a musical note Tuesday with a performance by the school’s show choir.

Principal Tammy Armand-Golden told the audience the first year of the magnet school was filled with a variety of other activities for the students, such as maintaining the school garden, a field trip to the opera, a sock hop, a book fair and the recent Night of the Arts performance.

The school has purchased 20 iPads for students to use and construction has begun on a hands-on science lab, she said. Park Ridge Elementary students will also participate in upcoming science and social studies fairs.

Other matters before the board included:

AWARDS: The board recognized athletes from Baker Middle and Baker High School who advanced to state playoffs in football, basketball, bowling and cross country/track.

Students of the year Ja’Porcha Joubert from Park Ridge Elementary, Kendrick Shavers from Baker Middle and Risheka Jarvis from Baker High also received awards.

Teachers of the year were Courtney Brown from Park Ridge, Lucas Spielfogel from Baker Middle and Jessica Vallelungo from Baker High School.

Bus driver Teri Johnson received recognition as support staff member of the year.

SCHOOL BUSES: The board voted unanimously to declare five school buses surplus property no longer needed for school operations.

The school district’s attorney, Brandon DeCuir, explained that the resolution authorizes the superintendent to either dispose of the buses through state surplus or a private sale.