RIPLEY — A change in Ripley Central School’s reading curriculum is producing results in kindergarten through second grades.

Micah Oldham, Ripley elementary school principal, told Board of Education members

that, in the fall, the Readers Workshop Curriculum was introduced in kindergarten through second grades in place of the ELA modules.

“We have seen a big jump in student’s reading fluency and comprehension,” he said. “We have also seen real excitement from students regarding this block of time.”

Oldham said there is a large group of students in kindergarten, first and second grades who are outperforming grade level expectations.

“We are currently looking for grade 3 to 6 teachers to pilot a unit following the state tests,” he added.

Oldham reminded board members that March 2 is Read Across America Day, which coincides with Dr. Seuss’s birthday and “is the largest reading celebration in the country.”

The students will enjoy guest readers from Chautauqua Lake Central School, as well as a walking field trip to the Ripley Public Library. Rhonda Thompson, Ripley Public Library director, reached out to the school about planning some Read Across America Day activities together, he said.

“I believe these walking trips are beneficial and play a role in introducing students to this wonderful community resource,” he said.

Students will also experience a school-wide drop everything and read (DEAR) time, and a lunch of green eggs and ham, Oldham said.

Board members were also informed that the district has an abundance of coaches this year.

“A plethora of running coaches is a good problem to have,” Oldham said. “I will be meeting with them next week to discuss expectations, schedules and mandatory training/certifications.”

William Caldwell, district superintendent, updated board members on the use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds. He said the district continues to seek public comments from parents, teachers, and other stakeholders.

The goal of ARPA/ESSER spending is to address learning loss, Caldwell said. With this in mind, some of the items the funds are being used for this year include: tutoring support, educational supplies, 3-D printers, replacement of third through fifth grade Chromebooks, pre-K iPad replacement, and Teachers College Reading and Writing Project K-5 Classroom Libraries, he said.

Board members also approved a contract for maintenance of the district’s fire alarm system to Great Lakes Building Systems at their meeting on February 16.

Great Lakes Building Systems of Buffalo specializes in fire safety and “prides its self in offering unparalleled service for any fire alarm system.” The contract for $6050 a year between Great Lakes and Ripley Central School will provide the district with 24/7 monitoring, as well as technical support and electronic reporting of all inspection reports.

In other business, the board approved several personnel items, including appointments to the district’s substitute list, appointments of after-school Drama Club teachers, and the appointment of student teachers for the 2021-22 school year. They also approved several new coaches.

Board members also heard reports from Principal Micah Oldham and Superintendent William Caldwell.