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Friday, July 18, 2025

‘The state of our district is STRONG’

Superintendent of Newton County Faculties (NCS)’ Dr. Duke Bradley III didn’t mince phrases when tasked with sharing his ideas on the state of the district.

“Enable me to share with you this night that the state of our district is robust and poised to get even stronger,” Bradley stated.

At NCS’ first-ever State of the District final Tuesday, Feb. 11, lots of packed Porter Performing Arts Heart to get a scope of the district’s future. This system was hosted by an array of Newton County Faculties staff, all the best way from Superintendent Dr. Duke Bradley III to board of schooling members, lecturers, college students and extra.

The varsity system revealed its newfound literacy priorities and introduced the inaugural recipient of an award named after the late Almond Turner.

Literacy Initiative

One of many key factors of the Feb. 11 presentation was the announcement of how NCS is seeking to implement its new literacy technique.

In Bradley’s 90-day report from 2024, it was revealed that almost all of NCS college students in grades 3,5, and eight weren’t proficient readers based mostly on the 2023 Milestone Examination. Particularly, all three grade ranges have been beneath the 30-percent mark, which was a number of factors beneath the state common.

Based mostly on the findings from the report, work for an outlined literacy initiative has been within the works.

Bradley, with assist from lecturers from elementary faculties throughout the district, emphasised the significance of enhancing literacy charges in Newton County.

“To be clear, literacy is an space of focus all through our state and our nation,” Bradley stated. “And final 12 months, beneath the management and course of our board [of education], literacy enchancment was recognized as our major space of educational focus, starting with the event of a complete literacy technique.”

For the previous few months, NCS has carried out a program known as Studying is Important for All Folks (REAP) at two elementary faculties – South Salem Elementary and East Newton Elementary. The implementation of this program was made potential by assist from the Newton Training Basis. 

Subsequent 12 months, in alignment with NCS’ purpose to increase literacy, this program will likely be expanded to a few or 4 extra faculties.

Along with REAP, Bradley revealed a brand new literacy initiative that NCS will likely be implementing to help elementary lecturers in elevating the literacy charges of Newton’s youth. 

In accordance with data from Tracy Blackburn, the district’s chief of studying and management, NCS will develop a Literacy Blueprint to stipulate literacy instruction for all college students within the college system. The varsity system will even assemble a Literacy Process Power that will likely be answerable for offering suggestions on the brand new initiatives.

The initiative itself will embrace coaching for all lecturers that considers methods to meet the literacy wants of all college students and teaches them methods to finest combine new literacy methods. 

“Literacy is the muse of all studying, and we’re devoted to getting it proper right here in Newton County,” stated Lauren LaMont, assistant superintendent of instructing and studying. “So we acknowledge that too many college students aren’t assembly grade degree proficiency, and we’re devoted to reversing this development. 

So we should floor our instruction within the science of studying in elementary college, then as college students progress into secondary, we should proceed to interact them in studying, writing, talking and listening. College students having a powerful literacy instruction from Ok-12 is crucial for them to graduate ready for faculty, profession and life.” 

Almond Turner Award

The Almond J. Turner Legacy Award for Management and Service is a brand new honor that the BOE developed in recognition of the late Almond Turner.

Turner was a member of the board of schooling and a cornerstone of the Newton County group. He was a widely known determine, working in legislation enforcement for 45 years and retiring because the Covington Police Division’s chief of police in 2016. Turner was first elected to the board of schooling in 1996 and was re-elected 5 occasions.

“It doesn’t matter what the scenario is, regardless of how tough it was, he at all times was non judgemental, he listened, he beloved and he at all times had this knowledge that made you’re feeling like it doesn’t matter what you have been going by means of, that it was going to be alright,” stated Dwahn Turner, Almond Turner’s son.

Turner tragically handed away in late 2019, however his legacy will proceed to dwell on locally by means of the Almond J. Turner Legacy Award for Management and Service.

Shakila Henderson-Baker, vice chair of the board of schooling, invited Turner’s household to the stage to help in presenting the award and honoring Turner’s legacy.

“Tonight we’re reminded of the enduring impression of his contributions, and of the qualities we hope to see in each single pupil that walks by means of our doorways: look after others, humility, service and a dedication to creating the world a greater place,” Henderson-Baker stated.

The award was introduced to Louise Adams, a retired educator who taught Almond Turner himself in grade college.

Henderson-Baker described Adams as a girl who has dedicated a long time of management to Newton County. As a instructor, assistant principal and principal, Henderson-Baker known as Adams’ impression on the group profound.

“Her management in schooling, notably within the Newton County College System, set the usual for excellence, and she or he continues to be an inspiration for many who observe,” Henderson-Baker stated.

Adams is a member of the Retired Educators Affiliation of Newton County and the Newton County Board of Well being. She has additionally labored with the Housing Authority of Covington, the Atlanta-Decatur-Oxford United Methodist Ladies and the Washington Avenue Neighborhood Heart.

“She embodies the qualities of dedication, service and management that Almond J. Turner Legacy Award represents,” Henderson-Baker stated. “I consider Almond is smiling down on Mrs. Adams.”

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