In its visit to Pocahontas County High School last Friday, the board of education received information on the vocational programs, student achievements and academic progress at the LSIC (Local School Improvements Council) meeting.

Principal Tom Sanders greeted the board and welcomed them to the school as he began his presentation.

Sanders discussed the vocational programs and the status of the completer tests. Using a diagram, he explained how well the 2010 graduates did on the completer test, out of 22 students, 18 passed the performance assessment.

Students in business, electronics, construction, ProStart, forestry and agriculture who plan to enter those fields are tested each year. This test is similar to an ACT for students entering academic fields.

Sanders said the amount of funding PCHS receives is in direct correlation with the data from these tests. If a student changes his or her field of study in college, the high school will be penalized and receive less funding.

Although the students are passing the completer test, Sanders said graduation requirements have hurt the amount of completers because students are unable to take the number of vocational classes they wish to take. He suggested offering a career and technical degree on top of the regular and modified degrees the school has now.

LSIC and Faculty Senate president Mike Knisely gave a report on the progress of each organization. He said both have met once and are discussing issues the school is facing. The LSIC is focusing on improving parental involvement. The faculty senate allocated money to several teachers for equipment for their classrooms.

Sanders said he is very excited about the new faculty members, Sammantha Bartley, agriculture education; Scott Garber, forestry; Jessica McLaughlin, special education; Teresa Mullen, ProStart; and Leah Shinaberry, mathematics.

Librarian and Media Specialist Susan Chappell shared a brief presentation on the Teachers' Leadership Institute and project based learning (PBL). In utilizing PBL in classrooms, teachers are dividing students into smaller groups and giving them the freedom to be creative.

Seniors Payton Mann and Khristian Smith shared a video they produced for a project in Mary Sue Burns' science class. Mann and Smith both agreed they preferred PBL because it gave them more responsibility and a drive to learn the subject. They also like that, with PBL, they choose the grade they believe their partners deserve for their participation in the project.

Sanders recognized Mary Sue Burns for being chosen as a participant in the Toyota International Teacher Program. Out of 851 applications, Burns was one of 24 teachers to receive the award. She will travel to the Galapagos Islands for two weeks for the program.

Spanish teacher Mali Minter shared the itinerary for her class's trip to Spain. The students will be on the trip during Spring Break and travel to Barcelona, Madrid and Paris.

Three of the five students who went on the FFA trip read thank you notes to the board for allowing them to go on the trip and for providing FFA jackets for the students. Chloe Bland, Steven Casto and Spencer Carr expressed to the board their appreciation and shared stories from the trip.

Students recognized for receiving mastery or above on the WESTEST2 were: Adam Beverage, Dustin Dilley, Allie Erlewine, Wesley Felton, Clay Friel, Joseph Friel, Fredricah Gardner, Lyndsee Gay, Amanda Gibson, Alexander Halterman, Jessalyn Hamilton, Emily Hefner, Allison Jonese, Alexander Kinnison, Nathaniel Langston, Garrett McCurdy, Miranda McMillion, Linzi Myers, Haley Nelson, Hannah Nelson, Logan Rataiczak, James Riley, Lorena Rose, Shanna Carr, Steven Casto, Rebecca Cutlip, Tyler Davis, Mackenzie Halterman, Derek Hamman, Chantel Lewis, Andrew Mengele, Gavin Moore, Clair Mosesso, Ashley Peacock, Gabriel Walkup, Samantha Walton, Phillip Whiteis, Olivia Workman, David Barb, Summer Chestnut, Alexander Griffith, Glen Hefner, Gloria Jerome, Seth Morgan, Jack Nelson, Chasten Taylor, Chelsea Walker, Caleb Walkup, Erin White, Virginia Wickham, Ian Wylie, Eleanor Bell, William Bostic, Rachel Cain, Shonda Carr, Alexander Cutlip, Adam Fuller, Danielle Mothes, Logan Plumley, Kimberley Pollard, Alexander Rodriguez, Amy Rose, Joseph Rose, Khristian Smith and Michelle Smith.

Jamie Boothe received distinguished in all areas on the WESTEST2.

Also recognized were:

Jamie Booth and Alex Griffith for attending the 2010 Glenville State College NASA Science Research Academy.

Khristian Smith, Joe Rose and Jamie Boothe for attending Governor's Honor Academy and Erica Rebinski for attending Governor's School for the Arts.

Participating in the National High School Rodeo in Gillette, Wyoming were Payton Mann, Olivia Workman and Katelynn Beverage.

Chloe Bland, Steven Casto, Spencer Carr, Cody Sharp and Clair Mosesso attended FFA Nationals.

Jamie Boothe received the WVSSAC 2009 male band scholar award.