February 2024 Student Spotlights – Pike Road

Pike Road School District (PRS) earned an “A” (91) on the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) State Report Card two years in a row. Two of our schools earned an “A” for the first time, and every school scored an “A” or “B”.
Superintendent Dr. Keith Lankford is pleased to see the improvements our schools have made. “I am excited to see the results of the hard work of our students, teachers, staff, and administration. We have assembled an excellent team at Pike Road whose focus and teamwork show up on this report card. Our success is a testament to our community’s desire for a great school system. Pike Road Schools will continue to strive to improve for our students and our community!”

Wilda Muzio, C3, is the winner of the Montgomery Rotary “Service Above Self” essay contest. Her essay titled, “Why Service Matters” highlights some of the ways she is committed to serving others. It shows her dedication from helping cook breakfast at home, to helping serve a school for deaf children in Mexico. Congratulations Wilda and good luck with your continued serving!

The Alabama School Counselor Association has chosen the Pike Road Intermediate School counseling program as a 2023 Alabama School Counseling Program of Distinction! The extensive application process takes place over a year. Mrs. Parker’s counseling program at PRIS exemplifies the Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance Model for Alabama Public Schools and the American School Counseling Association National Model at an exemplary level. We are so proud of Mrs. Parker!

PRIS is thrilled to win the Governor’s Commission on Physical Fitness Grant, worth $2,000 in physical education supplies and equipment! Dr. Sullivan and her coaches have big dreams for their program. A few of the items they are hoping to purchase are: basketball goals, basketballs, kickballs, ball storage and cart, scooter boards, sit and reach mats, and pull-up bars. These items are essential for students to be able to master physical education standards, but their biggest hope is to have enough equipment for ALL students to use during their PE class. Dr. Sullivan’s next big dream includes an outdoor space with a fence, obstacle course equipment, a basketball court, a pickle ball court, and a shade covering.

A dedicated group of twelve Pike Road School S2S (Student to Student) members invested their time in a specialized training program focused on welcoming new students, particularly those from military backgrounds. They learned about the importance of establishing connections with these students from day one and becoming a reliable source of information for them. Their mission is clear: to offer warm greetings and a helping hand, ensuring these newcomers feel supported and included from the moment they step into our halls. S2S hopes to alleviate any initial feelings of loneliness or isolation that might arise during the first days and weeks in a new school environment. They are determined to make a difference by creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that defines our school community.

PRHS celebrated nearly 80 C11 learners for scoring benchmark on at least one area of the Mock ACT 1 given earlier this fall. These learners were treated to McDonald’s Hotcakes for breakfast. This is just the first level of incentives. Learners who scored benchmark in 2 areas received a free Winter Formal Ticket, and those who scored benchmark in 3 categories were excused from a digital learning day. We are so proud of these learners and look forward to celebrating even more learners in January when they show growth from Mock ACT 1 to Mock ACT 2!

Macon East Academy’s very own center fielder, Lathan Johnson, has officially accepted an offer from Alabama State University to continue her career in softball, marking the beginning of her incredible journey as a Hornet.
Lathan’s contributions to the Knights cannot be overstated, as she played a vital role in leading the team to victory in the 2023 Alabama Independent School Association Class AAA state championship at Lagoon Park last May.
With an impressive career on-base percentage of .800, Lathan has proven to be a force to be reckoned with on the field. In nearly 100 attempts to steal a base, she has only been thrown out five times, showcasing her exceptional speed and agility. Her coaches describe her as a true threat, possessing both power and speed. Lathan’s ability to assess the situation and execute the perfect play sets her apart from the rest.

𝗗𝗮𝘄𝗻 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻, Macon East Academy Alumni Class of 2019, was awarded the prestigious Florence Nightingale award at the AUM College of Nursing and Health Sciences Pinning and Recognition Ceremony recently. She has accepted a job at Children’s of Alabama hospital in Birmingham as a pediatric cardiology nurse.

Macon East Academy’s SGA strives to make a difference and help those in need. During October our SGA organized an event to support the Joy to Life Foundation. Students paid money to dress in pink, honor ribbons were sold and posted in the hall with names of those affected by breast cancer. Cheerleaders sold pink bracelets, tattoos and spirit ribbons as well. SGA President, Ethan Jones, and SGA Vice President, Bryant Morrison, presented a check to Mrs. Joy Blondheim for the Joy to Life Foundation for $1,850.00. During the months of November and December, the school participated in Dixie Electric’s Food Drive during the 12s Day of Giving and collected over 1,400 pounds of food for the Montgomery Area Food Bank. Community involvement is very important for all students at Macon East.

Macon East Academy 7th graders have been studying the novel The Outsiders. They were dividing into groups to create their own clique. Groups had to find things they had in common to come up with a clique name, song, outfit, and hangout spot. Their cliques were named The Hunters, The Goofy Goobers, The Skaters and The Knights!

Second Graders at Macon East Academy made noise makers to ring in the New Year! They each created 4 goals that they want to accomplish in 2024. Some of their goals include spending more time outside, reading their Bibles more, getting better at sports, making all A’s and being kind. They are looking forward to meeting their goals this year!