86

Newcomers 2007

Sunday, October 28, 2007

First-year fifth-grade

teacher Jackie Ritz

works out a division

problem with her

students at Mae

Stevens Elementary

School in Copperas

Cove. This year is the

first year that Mae

Stevens included

fifth-grade students.

Herald/DAVID MORRIS

Copperas Cove schools have year of changes ahead

By Kristine Favreau

that, the hours have changed for the el-

the board and do it long before the state

will have six elementary campuses serv-

ing pre-K through fifth grade and two

ementary campuses, which are starting

requires it."

Killeen Daily Herald

campuses serving sixth through eighth

Additionally the district plans to

30 minutes earlier.

For the Copperas Cove Independent

"When we consolidated the schools

work harder to provide the necessary

grade.

School District, a past year filled with

and eliminated the intermediate school,

With fifth-graders now attending the

resources for all grade levels, not just

changes has led to a central theme for the

we decided to go with more instructional

elementary schools, the additional 30

those that are held accountable by the

2007-08 school year. Across the board, the

time for the elementary campuses," Ott

minutes will allow those students to still

state of Texas. The district plans to im-

district is focusing on one major goal --

said. " ll campuses in the district will

A

plement science benchmarks in all grade

receive necessary instructional time to

consistency With rezoning and the recon-

.

now have a 7½-hour school day It stays

.

levels to track the level of student prog-

focus on math and sciences.

figuration of grade levels, the district is

within the theme of consistency that we

ress throughout the year.

Science, a subject that isn't pushed by

Students of CCISD are several new

now able to offer equality on every cam-

are trying to achieve as a district."

state educators, will undergo an exten-

faces around school campuses with the

pus, along with increased uniformity

.

Ott added that rezoning and a focus on

sive overhaul for the 2008 school year.

"The changes we have made will bene-

a neighborhood school concept has al-

"Right now, science is only tested in

arrival of Dr. Carol Saxenian as the Cop-

fit our students and parents by providing

lowed the district to synchronize rules

the fifth grade. Beginning next year, it

peras Cove High School principal and

a more consistent school district," said

and procedures for all secondary and el-

will also be tested in the eighth grade,"

Kelly Ponsetti-Avritt, the new princi-

CCISD Deputy Superintendent Dr. Bobby

Ott said. "In order for our children to

pal of Crossroads Avenue E Alternative

ementary campuses. "That will ensure

Ott. "The students will have to deal with

that every child, no matter the class-

be more successful when they are tested

Learning Center.

less transition throughout their school

room, campus they attend or teacher

in science, the district will begin build-

"We are very excited to have Kelly in

careers, and the parents know that ev-

they are assigned to, will have an equal

ing a foundation of learning starting in

this spot. With her background experi-

ery child will be given equal opportuni-

ence and enthusiasm, we are going to

learning opportunity" he said.

,

the first and second grades." By expos-

In December the district announced

see some great changes over there," said

ties on every campus."

ing students to science at an earlier age

Enrollment for the year is not expected

the rezoning plan for the school atten-

Barbara Tate, executive director of hu-

they will have a better familiarity with

to increase drastically but the district has

,

dance areas for the district to integrate

vocabulary structure and science basics,

,

man resource services. "I can't wait to

prepared for some growth. Last year the

the neighborhood school concept as

Ott added.

see six months from now what all she

enrollment numbers for August reached

much as possible while allowing for an-

has accomplished. We definitely hired

"Science is a content area that really

nearly 7,700 students, and the same held

prevents many school districts, includ-

the right person."

ticipated future growth throughout the

district. It coincides with the restruc-

ing CCISD, from being recognized dis-

true for this year.

Saxenian, who most recently was an

Because of legislation, the school year

turing of campuses that will take place

tricts by the state," Ott said. "We are

started two weeks later, and along with

looking to improve that content across

in the 2007-08 school year, where CCISD

Please see Cove, Page 88