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Articles - Spotlight on Education Mattie Wells
Elementary School By Leslie Poythress Mattie Wells Elementary School (MWES) is located approxi-mately five miles northeast of Macon in the southwest corner of Jones County. It is approximately 10 miles from Gray, the county seat of Jones County. MWES opened in September of 1963, after the overcrowding of Griswold School made the new facility necessary. The school was named in honor of Mrs. Mattie Wells, teacher and principal for many years at Griswold School. Population growth has recently made the construction of a new school necessary. In January, Wells Primary opened "down the hill" from the original location. The Primary School houses approximately 350 students in kindergarten through second grade. MWES serves third through fifth grade students and averages 350 children.The recently adopted mission statement of the school reads, "At Mattie Wells Elementary School, we strive to succeed and to ensure that each student has the opportunity to obtain academic excellence in a positive learning climate." It is evident, as one walks around the campus that all stakeholders involved in the education of these children believe in the mission statement. The positive nature of the teachers, paraprofessionals, custodial staff, administration, lunchroom staff, and support team is clear throughout the campus. "Children come first at Mattie Wells. All we do is in their best interest," states Mr. Johnny Holliday, principal. Instructional time is valued because academic achievement is the primary focus of the school. Students are challenged on a daily basis as they explore the world around them. Math and reading are critical skills that are taught in all areas of the curriculum. Realizing that these skills are intertwined in all we encounter in life, the educators at MWES see to it that children are successful in these areas. Special services are provided for students who struggle in these areas. The Early Intervention Program and Title 1 provide additional support in conjunction with regular classroom teachers. The Program for Exceptional Children serves children with qualified disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. At Mattie Wells, improved science instruction is one of several academic goals. Teachers are encouraged to access the Georgia Learning Connections website to obtain innovative, hands-on, minds-on lesson plans in the area of science. Mr. Johnny Holliday is working hard to ensure that teachers have the materials and knowledge they need to effectively teach the content. In January, the entire school was involved in Science Night. The administration and the entire teachers’ staff collectively made this a very successful project. They were assisted by Rhonda Toon from the Gordon Youth Science Technology Center. Teachers manned science experiment stations, which allowed students and their parents to experience many exciting experiments and activities. "Test to impress" was the theme of the principal’s recent motivational speech to students at MWES. They were told that to impress means to be distinctive and that they should be distinctive on the recent Stanford 9 Standardized Test. The children were impressed by the principal’s newly revealed talent—jump roping! By the end of the speech, all students were excited about doing their very best every day. Smiles were evident throughout the lunchroom when he boasted, "You are all very smart, very intelligent." This event, combined with a school-wide practice test, kicked-off "testing season." The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools recently recommended Mattie Wells for accreditation after a thorough review of all areas of the school. A visiting team of professionals around the State of Georgia left them with many commendations. One in particular sums up the cohesiveness of the faculty and staff as they work to educate Jones County’s children: "A spirit of oneness, putting student welfare first, is overwhelmingly prevalent among stakeholders, including personnel, staff, and students." Visitors are welcome at Mattie Wells Elementary School, where "Every Little Learner Succeeds." Mattie Wells Elementary School Editor’s Note: |
