Board hears spotlight on Ready to Learn coach at BlueStar Primary

Principal Kim Bridges told the DeSoto County School District board that the addition of a Ready to Learn coach at BlueStar Primary has produced noticeable academic and behavioral improvement.

The presentation, delivered during the board’s spotlight segment, described classroom and schoolwide supports introduced this year, including a weekly social-emotional skill, a sensory room and a play area used to help kindergartners who were struggling to engage. "It has been such a blessing," Bridges said, referring to the coach’s impact after joining in October.

The school’s counselor, Elena Carlisle, and interim assistant Tiffany McCracken joined the presentation and described increases in early-year counseling and behavioral referrals that the coaches help address. The presenters told the board that behavior referrals rose from six in August of the prior year to more than 17 at the start of the current year, and that the Ready to Learn coach works with teachers and support staff to teach social-emotional skills.

Speakers also described specialty spaces at the school — a sensory room and a play area — and an intervention team that coordinates individualized behavior plans. The presenters credited district support and a funding lead identified as Sarah Jane Russell for helping secure resources for the position and classroom supports.

Board Chair (name not specified) acknowledged the presentation before moving on to the consent agenda.

The presentation was informational; no formal board action specific to the Ready to Learn position was recorded in the transcript during this segment.