Barkley Bridge Elementary among top performing schools statewide
By Staff Reports
Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey announced last month the state’s top-performing and most improved schools. Hartselle’s Barkley Bridge Elementary School is among the list of schools that demonstrated excellence or significant progress in academic rankings.
The schools were honored at the board meeting held Feb. 13 in Montgomery.
Mackey said the schools demonstrate high performance by being ranked in the top 25 percent of public schools as ranked on the school grading system. The schools were selected based on academic success, as measured by the state’s grading system for schools and districts.
Barkley Bridge principal Laura Lamb said she attributes the success to the teachers who continuously train to improve their craft. Lamb said teachers at Barkley Bridge participate in two years of LTRS, a science of reading training and OGAP math training.
“This professional development makes learning multisensory for students so that they can retain core content,” she said. “We also make learning engaging and incorporate STEM activities into the content when applicable.
“For instance, our fourth graders will participate in The Hovercraft Project at the Civic Center where teams will use math, science, teamwork and the design process. They will build a hovercraft, ride it and compete with one another in races.
Furthermore, Lamb said parents are made a part of the team and their hands-on participation is encouraged.
“We held a Family Fun night this fall where (more than) 900 family members attended,” she said. “We shared with parents the importance of playing games, specifically games that help promote strong memory, processing and critical-thinking abilities. This team effort makes our students successful.”
Lamb added teachers and students alike at Barkley Bridge feel the pressure to perform at high levels of success year after year.
“No matter the students in our building, our teachers continually strive to meet the needs of all learners,” she said. “We will continue to hold high expectations of our students and one another.”
Hartselle superintendent Brian Clayton
Superintendent Brian Clayton said he is very proud of Barkley Bridge Elementary School and their most recent accomplishment. “Mrs. Lamb and her faculty and staff work really hard to achieve a data driven classroom instructional environment,” he said.
