Chattooga County Schools are working toward completion of a districtwide literacy plan as educators continue professional development and efforts to strengthen reading instruction throughout the school system.

During a recent update to the Chattooga County Board of Education, educator Robert Beach said district staff, literacy coaches and community partners are participating in training as individual schools develop formal literacy plans.

The district hopes to have a unified literacy plan completed by October, providing time for the Board of Education to review the plan ahead of a January 1 approval deadline.

Beach also updated board members on professional learning and activities taking place throughout the district.

The school system’s annual educators conference was moved earlier in the year in response to teacher feedback. The conference, held at Chattooga High School, featured keynote speaker Justin Old, whose presentation was titled “Perspective Matters.” Sessions were also conducted by outside experts and district presenters.

Community partnerships remain part of the district’s literacy and educational efforts.

The Chattooga County Farm Bureau continues monthly visits to kindergarten classrooms at Leroy Massey Elementary School in Pennville. During a recent visit, students read about apples and learned about different varieties.

Students also participated in Constitution Day and Citizenship Day activities. An attorney visited social studies classes at Summerville Middle School to discuss the legal profession, continuing a program from the previous school year.

The district is also preparing activities for Georgia Reads Initiative Week, with plans to connect classroom literacy activities with families and library resources.

Beach told the board that enrollment continues to be monitored, noting that declining enrollment has become a trend across Georgia. School officials are also preparing for the upcoming FTE count, with individual schools reviewing scheduling and staffing.

Other upcoming activities include school spelling bees and the district spelling bee, which is expected to be held in early November.