From The Tribune staff reports
MOODY — Moody Elementary School (MES) was awarded for being an Exemplary High Performing School by the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program for its EdSTREAM in Motion program.
MES offers EdSTREAM as a supplemental service that provides morning care, afternoon care, and camps. EdSTREAM (pronounced Extreme) because this program provides (extreme fun) education in science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and mathematics. This program offers multi-sensory activities while learning through play.
“I think a little over a year ago in the application process, they highlighted the EdSTREAM Program as an extra factor in the Blue Ribbon process because of all that it offers for our kids,” St. Clair County Superintendent Justin Burns said. “It was an extremely important piece of becoming a Blue Ribbon School, and Jason Tuggle is the director over that program, and he does a phenomenal job.”
The program is a high-quality enrichment experience, providing opportunities for the growth and development of children in grades K-3rd with activities such as stations and workshops (examples of stations and workshops includes: organized games, physical activities, robotics, art, computer lab, etc.). The purpose of these stations and workshops is to foster creativity, build curiosity, and encourage learning.
“It provides all kinds of opportunities for the student’s enrichment; they get to go places and experience things,” Burns said. “He provides all kinds of trips for them, but also educational experiences. My own kid is a part of the EdSTREAM Program, and he loves it.”
Moody’s first school was a rock structure built in 1879. Due to growth in the community, the St. Clair County Board of Education was forced to build a new structure, now known as MES, and establish a middle school. The new elementary building was completed in 1990. By the spring of 1998, a wing with additional classrooms was completed. In 2003, expansion soon became necessary, and construction was again completed on a second wing, containing classrooms, restrooms, a computer lab, workroom, and library media center. MES now holds 828 students.
“So the elementary school does a great job of growing their students,” Burns said. “It’s a huge part of the Blue Ribbon process as well, but I know that the highlighted piece was what EdSTREAM offers for all of our students.”
MES’s school-wide plan has been designed to provide a comprehensive educational program for all students in grades K-3. Their primary goal is to provide instruction that will enable students to meet and exceed state and federal standards. In addition, they believe that improving the learning environment and teaching strategies will ultimately result in greater student achievement.
The Tribune reached out to Moody Elementary School Principal Lance Cisco but did not receive a comment.