By: Cinde Ingram

HIGH POINT — Eight of the 21 High Point City Council and mayoral candidates agreed to join High Point volunteers, businesses, churches and community groups in efforts to improve local schools.

They are just the first projects 14 principals of the 25 High Point schools requested in response to a survey from Vicki Miller, a retired principal. She compiled a list of their project requests and is seeking assistance from anyone willing to help.

“It’s not just council members. Everybody’s talking about all the needs of our High Point schools,” Miller said. “I think if you really want to see our schools improve, step up and that’s why we’re calling it ‘Make it Happen High Point.’ If you want your schools to be better, help with these small little projects that may not seem like a lot to a general person in the community but it speaks volumes to the principal and the staff that the community cares enough to come in and try to help them.”

The projects started Saturday morning at Ferndale Middle School, where volunteers helped retired and current school staff and First United Methodist Church members pressure wash, paint and landscape the school’s amphitheater area.

“What I’m trying to do is be the resource to the community that I didn’t have when I was a principal,” Miller said. “

Some of the school requests do not cost a lot of money but require time and effort. Miller is organizing a growing list of volunteers and encouraging more people to get involved. There are still opportunities for additional groups or individuals. If someone wants to start a project or join a group, they can reach out to the school or the volunteer group for further details.

If a school’s work environment looks good and cared for, it creates a better atmosphere in the building for the staff, students and parents, Miller said.

“If you’ve got paint peeling on walls or landscaping that’s overgrown outside, it just doesn’t make you feel good when you walk in that school every day,” Miller said. “Actually seeing the community come in and support a school speaks to the parents and students as well as it does to the principal and staff. It’s all about showing that you care.”

Four school projects are scheduled for next weekend. Miller said she expects a big project at Andrews to garner a lot of support. Council members Chris Williams and Britt Moore have signed up to help with that project, set for Saturday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“Our schools are incredible learning centers and we need to, as a community, treat them that way,” Miller said. “We’re educating the people who are going to be leaders in our country. Our schools don’t need any criticism, they need a shot of good community backing and public support. It will go so far if they feel like we’re behind them instead of always pointing fingers at them.”

cingram@hpenews.com | 336-888-3534 | @HPEcinde

Want to help?

The public is invited to join on on several local school improvement projects. To participate, contact Vicki Miller at millerv714@triad.rr.com.

Remaining projects and dates, and those already participating, include:

• Allen Jay Elementary, grounds landscaping. PTA, community, Volvo, Nov. 9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Andrews High, paint railings in front. Councilmen Britt Moore and Chris Williams, Nov. 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

• High Point Central, repairing/replacing blinds, landscaping grounds, resurfacing cabinets. Councilmembers Wesley Hudson and Monica Peters, First United Methodist Church and class of 1960 alumni, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Kirkman Park Elementary, paint cougar paws front sidewalk, repair/paint cougar statue. Chris Williams, council candidate Michael Holmes, Memorial United Methodist Church, Vicki and David Miller, Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Northwood Elementary, paint student bathrooms. William Laney, Joe Blosser, Communities in Schools and Emerywood Baptist Church. Also, redesign/organize reading room, Vicki Miller and Judy Stutts, Nov. 11 (ongoing)

• Oak Hill Elementary, paint railing around mobile units, create spirit rock to replace tree, paint student bathrooms, refinish teacher lounge cabinets. Monica Peters, City Transfer, Martin-Marietta Quarry (date to be determined)

• Oak View Elementary, paint math games on cement play area, paint bear claws on walkways. Oak View Baptist Church. Also, a bike giveaway by Ed Price & Associates (date to be determined)

• Penn-Griffin School for the Arts, paint stripe in hallways. Mayoral candidate Carlvena Foster, William Penn Alumni Associates (date to be determined)

• SCALES Academy, landscaping/inside court plants. Kiwanis Club of High Point. Also, mural painting. Artist Brian Davis and students, Nov. 14 tentative.

• Shadybrook Elementary, flowers outside front doors, paint metal areas under window, paint media center. Oak View Baptist Church, (date to be determined)

• Southwest High, picnic tables and split rail fence. Community Bible, Boy Scout Eagle project, Michael Holmes, Nov. 9, 9 a.m. to noon.

• Triangle Lake Montessori, paint/touch up walls. Council candidates Jerry Mingo and Michael Holmes (date to be determined)

• Welborn Academy, plants at entrance, paint student bathrooms. Council candidate Cyril Jefferson (date to be determined)

Link to Original Post: https://hpenews.com/news/12070/retired-principal-rallies-public-to-improve-schools/