Education Summitt

AYDEN — Bright and early this Saturday, educators, parents, principals, students and anyone interested in the growth of local schools will join together to discuss ways to get involved in the education of local youth at the 2004 Education Summit.

According to Kim Bell, Chairman of the Summit Committee, the event will bring everyone together to help squash the negative image people have about Ayden-area schools.

“The summit is a launching pad,” Bell said. “The summit is Ayden’s opportunity to bring all the stockholders together. There’s not a single soul that should be left out.”

Ayden Elementary School’s Principal Gail Haney said she felt the time was right for an event like this and looked forward to Saturday’s summit.

“I’m very excited and looking forward to the opportunity for all the stakeholders in our community to come together as we strive for excellence in our schools,” Haney said. “I think it’s the right time. I think it’s going to be great.”

The first thing parents do when looking to move to an area is to check out the school system they are moving into, Bell said. Because of the negative reputation Ayden’s schools have had over the past several years, many potential inhabitors of Ayden choose to move elsewhere after checking on the school’s scores. The Education Excellence Summit, Bell said will be a chance for educators to talk about what works for schools as well as what Pitt County Schools is doing to help Ayden schools perform better and be successful.

“We want to instill in our kids that they want nothing but the best,” Bell said. “If you don’t expect excellence from students, you darn well won’t get it.”

Bell said the Summit Committee looked at Ayden’s two largest businesses for support and both Minges and Weyerhauser were more than willing to do their part to make this year’s summit a success.

Ayden-Grifton High School’s principal Bill Frazier said he felt the event will be a big day for local schools. However, the call-in responses from the public have not been as good as he had hoped and he encourages everyone to attend the event.

“I’m extremely excited with the potential,” Frazier said. “I think it could be a big day for us if everyone comes out to support us. We sure would like to have more call in and commit to coming. " 

To register for the events, students and family members may call Sue Butler at 746-4183. All others are asked to call Sarah McLawhorn at 746-2266.

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