Articles - Spotlight on Education

Northside Elementary School
" Building Our Future...One Child at a Time"

Northside Elementary opened its doors for the 1990-1991 school year as a kindergarten through sixth grade school with 434 students under the leadership of Mary Lou Ezell. Today Northside serves pre-kindergarten students through fifth grade, with Mrs. Ezell, still leading the school as principal. During the 1997-1998 school year, eight classrooms were added to the original building, allowing all students to be served in the same facility.

The philosophy of the school is to provide educational opportunities in a safe and secure environment where each child will not only learn literacy and other educational skills necessary for a productive life, but will also develop skills necessary for becoming a good citizen. The instructional program at NES is designed with the school’s philosophy in mind. Since 1998, students have received over three hours a day of language arts instruction as a means to meet their goal of increased literacy performance for every child.

To better prepare students for a technology driven lifestyle, NES utilizes computers to enhance the curriculum. A Computer Curriculum Corporation (CCC) Lab provides individual assistance at each student’s instructional level in grades 3-5. The curriculum software utilized is based on national standards and includes built-in assessment and accountability. Students work with the CCC Lab teacher twice weekly. Parallel block scheduling was implemented when instituting the Lab in order to reduce class size and to enable teachers to focus on individual student needs. In addition, teachers are currently being trained to use two mobile computer labs with twenty wireless laptops in each lab. These will be checked out through the Media Center for use by teachers in their classrooms.

Parental and community support is strong at Northside. The school has an open door policy for visitors and welcomes them in the school at all times. Each year parents are encouraged to attend Open House and become familiar with the faculty and the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). Parents are encouraged to ask questions, make suggestions and become active in school activities, as well as serve as classroom volunteers. The PTO provides money for books and other school needs through fundraising events. The organization’s annual Spaghetti Supper is always a great success, with hundreds of parents and children eating spaghetti, playing games, and finding books at the Book Fair. To support Northside parents, the school offers Parenting Workshops on various topics to help parents become better caregivers. 

Student extracurricular activities at NES focus on leadership development in their young children. The Student Council is composed of students in third through fifth grade. The Council meets once a month and organizes service projects for the school such as the annual canned food drive and visits to local nursing homes. These students assist the principal with morning announcements and work on projects to improve the school campus. Fifth grade students on the Falcon Patrol are trained by the counselor and a fifth grade teacher in conflict resolution. They assist teachers who monitor students before and after school. These students are available to help peer students work through their problems.

There is a strong sense of ownership and family at Northside Elementary. Mrs. Ezell, a GAESP Distinguished Principal for the 2000 – 2001 school year, supports, encourages, and motivates the staff, faculty, parents, and students with her positive personality and vision for the school. The administrative team including the assistant principal, Reginald Sanks, and the instructional coordinator, Dee Swift, work together to support the school mission. There is a concerted effort among all members of the faculty to ensure the success of all students as they build their future, one child at a time. v



305 Sullivan Road

Warner Robins, Georgia 31093

Phone:(478) 929-7816

Website: http://nes.hcbe.net/

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