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Dr. Gillum details PKMS gains, program expansion and community partnerships
Summary
PKMS principal Dr. Gillum told the Poteau school board that the middle school improved its statewide ranking despite an overall C grade, highlighted a three-year A in English-language proficiency, rising academic-growth measures, expanded electives and partnerships, and shared plans to boost student engagement.
Dr. Gillum presented the ‘Backstage Pass to Success’ report for Poteau’s fifth- and sixth-grade campus, saying the school serves 289 students with about a 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio and that 62% qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
“The heartbeat of our school is our vision,” Dr. Gillum said, adding that PKMS’s vision aligns with the district’s goal of “every pirate every day.” She highlighted that PKMS earned an A in English-language proficiency for the third straight year and that the school improved 89 spots among Oklahoma’s 693 middle schools, even while its overall A–F grade remained a C. “We actually improved 89. We moved up 89 spots,” she told the board.
Dr. Gillum outlined efforts to address chronic absenteeism and academic growth by pushing for more collaborative, project-based instruction and by setting an expectation that every teacher partners with at least one other teacher each semester for cross-content projects. She also described a broad elective program — band (now open to fifth and sixth graders), media/ yearbook production, performing arts (dance, theater, choir), athletics and new offerings such as golf — that staff use to connect students with interests and boost engagement.
The principal credited community partnerships for many activities: the Choctaw Nation provides cultural programming; the POTA Women’s League sponsored a writing contest; and high-school athletes, dancers and cheerleaders engage younger students at events. Dr. Gillum described a recent food drive that collected about 3,500 packages of ramen noodles distributed to families in need.
Dr. Gillum also noted student successes: regional championships for the sixth-grade academic team and higher-than-average placement and retention metrics in several programs. She said staff are working on strategies to move PKMS’s overall rating upward and asked the board to continue supporting initiatives that increase attendance and learning time.
The presentation closed with thanks to teachers, families and partners and an invitation to follow the school’s Facebook page for photos and updates.
