(I’m more convinced than ever that not only are the needs represented by this bond election real, but Guthrie Public Schools is deserving of the public trust. The skill and passion with which the administration, teachers, parents, and students thrive under difficult conditions is extraordinary. I voted YES during early voting. The GPS students sacrifice every day. This vote, and the money I will invest in the schools if the bond passes, is the least I can do. I encourage folks to vote YES tomorrow. There’s no greater investment we can make for the health and future of our community. –Justin Fortney)
By: Justin Fortney
Special to Guthrie News Page
Principal Susan Davison and Assistant Principal Jeff Ball get an excited look in their eyes when they talk about a cookout. Not just any cookout, but a cookout with over 700 friends and neighbors. That’s what happened this year at Mineral Wells Park when Guthrie Upper Elementary School invited school families to come eat a meal and talk about state testing.
That might sound like a strange combination, but Davison said the idea was just to create a casual atmosphere where parents and teachers could hang out, have fun, and maybe take some of the apprehension out of the idea of testing.
“It gave the parents a chance to ask questions and share concerns, and it let the teachers give tips and help the parents better prepare their kids,” said Davison.
It also created a place for friends and neighbors just to spend some time together. Davison said that more than an hour after the event was over, parents were still having a great time catching up. “Everyone’s lives are so busy these days, it was great to see folks being able to slow down a little and enjoy each other’s company, plus learn a little more about how testing works,” she said.
Assistant Principal Ball talks about how this is one example of many where Guthrie schools have learned to be creative on a tight budget. Whether it’s John Vance Auto donating hot dogs for 700 people, a parent calling to ask if he could buy new soccer nets, or coming up with unique solutions to technology needs, GUES is striving to give kids an exceptional education even when money is hard to come by.
One of those creative technology solutions at GUES is the use of three “technology carts” that teachers can check out for their classes.
Even though the cost of giving every student a laptop is prohibitive for a school with over 700 students, these carts contain laptops and charging stations that allow classes to work on special projects and complete state testing requirements.
And as the staff continues to find creative solutions, there’s no shortage of helping hands from parents. On a regular basis a group of parents called Helping Hands stops by the school office to see what copies they can make, what papers they can laminate, all in the spirit of freeing teachers up for other classroom activities.
It’s a spirit of creativity that is evident in the leadership, students, and parents of Guthrie Upper Elementary.
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