Putnam County High School presented its annual showcase to the board of education on Tuesday during the monthly work session.
Before the showcase, Assistant Superintendent Scott Sauls briefly discussed school safety. He stated that the Emergency Preparedness Plan is in place, and as part of that plan, staff are required to wear Centegix badges and a wearable mobile panic button.
The schools receive weekly reports on the health of the badges, including whether they are dormant (not being used). Sauls reported that, based on prior drills, law enforcement can reach all schools in the district within two minutes. Concluding his overview, he informed the board that intruder drills will occur at the schools before Oct. 1; however, to ensure the integrity of the drill, no specific dates will be released.
“We want the public to know these are not reactionary items,” said Superintendent Derrick Austin. “They have always been in place to ensure the safety of our staff and students.”
Leading into the showcase, PCHS Principal Dr. Andrew Cooper explained that it included tables from the Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) and Fine Arts programs depicting their current projects on display and photos from each class. In addition, students made their own presentations to the board, discussing their “live experiences” from this summer.
Students presented about their trips to Oxford College, Albany State University, and Davidson College. While each trip was a different group of students, the core of each was to offer students a glimpse into college life, degree pathways, financial aid opportunities, and what each college uniquely offers.
Students participated in hands-on activities on each excursion, such as biology labs and academic classes. Their schedules were packed to offer a holistic college experience.
Two out of 11 students presented their summer experience learning about Cherokee culture and Indian removal. This group traveled around the state to historic sites and state parks to learn first-hand about the life and loss of the Cherokee tribe. As part of their experience, one student created a mural that was presented to the board.
She explained the symbolism of each mural piece to the board, and the second student discussed how they had learned about these symbols in more depth.
The showcase concluded with the board of education walking through the main hall of Putnam County High School to music provided by its marching band.