Project Super STAR, led by Hope Academy school resource specialist Garfield Duckett and math teacher Katina Ross, works with students chosen from local elementary schools based on a combination of behavioral and academic problems. The program started with 20 students last summer.
“Our goals are to promote trust, responsibility, citizenship and respect,” Ross said. “Some of the kids have anger problems, trust issues and slight learning disabilities. They have already made a lot of progress through this program.”
Funded by the Troup County school system, the project is the brainchild of Superintendent Ed Smith.
“This is more of a prevention program than anything else,” Duckett said. “Mr. Smith wanted to go ahead and address some of these problems with kids at an early age instead of waiting until middle school when they can become more difficult to deal with.”
Principals and counselors from elementary schools across Troup County designate students to enroll in the program, Ross said.
“I have noticed a big difference with two of our students who are enrolled in the Super STAR program,” said Candace McGhee, principal of Cannon Street Elementary School. “Mr. Duckett and Mrs. Ross have had a great impact on these kids so far. The parents just need to continue to support the program.”
The students began meeting from 8 a.m. to noon Mondays through Thursdays at Troup High School in June and less frequently in July. With the arrival of the school year in August, students began meeting 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. one Saturday a month. The last meeting of the year will be April 18, in which students will accept certificates and awards.
“The feedback has been great from both the parents and the kids so far,” Duckett said. “We incorporated a survey at the end of June for the kids and their parents and every one came out positive.”
One student chosen by his school’s principal for behavioral problems, improved his outlook on education and school significantly, Ross said.
“His principal called us the other week and raved about how much his attitude and desire to learn has improved,” Ross said. “I’ll never forget this one day in June when I asked each student who they trust most in their lives. When I got to him, he told me that he doesn’t trust anyone, not even his own mother. By the end of June, he hugged me and told me that he trusts both me and Mr. Duckett. Some of these kids with behavioral problems find it hard to trust anyone.”
During each meeting, the program addresses issues pertaining to one of its four goals. Students complete work sheets and engage in group discussions.
“Our purpose with each meeting is to provide academic and behavioral support for a targeted group of students in an effort to enhance overall classroom performance in their homes, schools, and their communities, Duckett said. “We targeted boys because those are usually the one with the most behavioral problems in general.”
After the last meeting in April, Duckett and Ross will conduct school and home visits to their students throughout the year.
“We want to continue to reinforce academic and social achievement for these kids throughout the school year.” Duckett said.
Kenneth Thompson can be reached at kethompson@ lagrangenews.com or at (706) 884-7311, Ext. 228.
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