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Student research praises extracurriculars; board hears improving attendance and assessment update
Summary
Ross Fanel, Pendleton County’s state social studies winner, presented survey results showing strong positive impacts of extracurricular activities on school climate and student belonging. The board also heard nine-month attendance improvements and a reminder that summative scores are embargoed until state release.
Ross Fanel, introduced by the board as the district’s state social studies winner, presented a student research project drawing 151 responses (mostly from Pendleton County Middle High School) and concluded extracurricular activities positively affect school climate and student belonging.
Fanel said his survey showed roughly 86–91% agreement among students and teachers that participating in extracurricular activities improves school climate and culture and helps students work harder academically. "Extracurricular activities deeply impact the school climate and culture at their school by giving kids a sense of belonging and overall improving their experience," he said.
Board members and district administrators praised the presentation and thanked Fanel for his work. The superintendent and Chair congratulated the students and noted historic photos included in Fanel’s project that showed girls participating in basketball in the county as early as 1952.
Attendance and achievement updates: The board then reviewed a nine‑month attendance report showing the county average at 93.69%. North Fork Elementary’s third grade posted the highest individual grade attendance (about 98%), and Franklin Elementary had the highest school rate (95.19%). Administrators said chronic absence is lower at most schools than the same time last year and that summative assessment scores remain embargoed until the West Virginia Department of Education releases results this summer.
What’s next: District officials noted upcoming events—graduation on Sunday, the last student day May 28 and a professional learning day May 29—and reminded board members to review policy materials ahead of a second reading at the next meeting.
