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Springfield Ambassadors update board on school programs
Springfield Ambassadors
In a scene that could be reminiscent of “Kids Say the Darndest Things,” Effingham County Schools Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford asks Student Ambassadors from Springfield Elementary what they like about the school, or what they would like to change. Fourth-grade student Annistyn Page told Dr. Ford she likes her teachers and activities such as “Pajama Day.” Further down the line, fifth-grade student Gavin DeLoach asked if a zip line could be added to the school. (Photos by Barbara Augsdorfer/Effingham Herald.)

By Barbara Augsdorfer, Editor for the Effingham Herald

 

The Effingham County School Board met at its regular meeting March 6 and was updated by the Springfield Elementary Ambassadors about clubs, activities, and the leadership roles Ambassadors take.

“You'll hear a lot about the things that they are doing in their classrooms and outside of their classrooms to work together to collaborate because that's the real world that we live in today,” said Dr. April Harvey, Springfield’s principal. “These are real-world experiences. Even being here today is a real-world experience.”

The Ambassadors are fourth- and fifth-grade students, who each introduced themselves to the board with a brief statement about the clubs they participate in and other tasks they do as Ambassadors, including school tours.

Springfield Ambassadors 2
Springfield Elementary’s Bulldog Ambassadors.
“Y'all remember these names because you're going to hear about them in the future because they're going do big things within our community,” said Ambassador Coordinator Melissa Smith.

In addition to being Ambassadors and leaders throughout the school, students are involved in activities such as Bulldog Aggies (agriculture), Best Buddies (teaming up with a special needs student), chorus, Amped (after-school PE program), Beta Club, Y-Readers and Tutoring.

“My favorite thing about being a bulldog champion is that every single staff member and every single student is family, the community that has (been) shaped within the walls and in the extracurricular programs truly feels like just that -- a family,” said Dr. Harvey.

The board also recognized the 2024 District Spelling Bee participants including the winner Jehiel Tyrill from South Effingham Elementary, and runner-up Sophia Gallant from Sand Hill Elementary. Tyrill’s winning word was “coccidiosis”.

In other action, Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford updated the board on the progress on the new elementary school to be built on Blue Jay Road. He said he hopes to have the site plan done by the middle of March.

“We really spent a lot of time there,” Ford explained. “There (are) a lot of live oaks on that property and we wanted to make sure we can preserve as many as possible.”

The school board approved:

·       a contract for $233,000 to RPI of Richmond Hill to re-roof the Rincon Learning Center;

·       a contract for $94,115 to Hawk Construction of Statesboro to rebuild the hay barn and equipment structure at Honey Ridge Agricenter. The funds are covered by insurance.

The next meeting of the Effingham County Board of Education is March 21 beginning at 7 p.m. at the BOE building, 405 N. Ash St., Springfield.