North Augusta Elementary named to Riley Honor Roll

North Augusta Elementary's School Improvement Council (SIC) has been named a Riley Honor Roll recipient for the good work the organization did in 2009-10.

When Laurie Reese came in as principal two years ago, a new SIC team of parents and teachers was forming.

"Katherine Smith was one of the parents, and she took over as chairman," Reese said. "She has been a big help in this. It's great news."

A total of 12 elementary, middle and high school School Improvement Councils statewide have made the honor roll. All are eligible for the Winners Level, in which five schools will be announced in February. The Riley Award winner will be named at the SC-SIC annual conference March 19. Chukker Creek Elementary School was the state winner several years ago.

The award is named for former S.C. Gov. Dick Riley and his late wife Tunky. Under Riley's leadership, the S.C. General Assembly passed the Education Improvement Act in 1984 - one of the state's most significant reform efforts. Riley later served as U.S. Secretary of Education during the administration of President Bill Clinton.

Through the efforts of Smith, other SIC members and the entire North Augusta Elementary School faculty, Reese said, the school won the State Department of Education's Red Carpet award last spring for its family-friendly atmosphere. Other initiatives were established last year or are being introduced in the current school year - many of them contributing to the Riley Award Honor Roll recognition.

Smith, who has two children at the elementary school and another at North Augusta Middle School, spent several years with PTO organizations.

"I've always had a passion for helping this school, and I was interested in serving in more executive way," said Smith. "I love it, and it's been the most rewarding experience. Our board consists of 10 volunteers who represent the school administration, community and parents."

Volunteers and teachers did a beautification project on the school campus in connection with the Red Carpet award. A "buddy" program brings fifth-graders to read to 5-K and first-grade students. Smith said her son Brandon was a first-grader at Mossy Creek Elementary and had a fifth-grader reading to him. Now a fifth-grader himself, Brandon is reading to a younger child.

"He loves it," Smith said. "It's a wonderful full circle of interpersonal relationships."

Several years ago Public Education Partners, the local education foundation, brought a Great Leaps reading fluency program to many schools. North Augusta Elementary School continues to use the program for struggling readers. The school is also establishing a mentoring program and an outdoor classroom opportunity.

"This is so dear to my heart," said Smith. "It takes more than one person to make all this possible. When all of us sit down together, we're able to use our gifts and talents and see these changes as positive influences. It's the perfect volunteer job."

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.