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Marengo County K-12 Instructional Leader Wendy Joiner presented her monthly report to the Marengo County Board of Education at its Jan. 25 meeting.

Joiner announced that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Portal is now open for high school seniors to begin filling out the form. Career Coach Amy Ward is working with seniors from Sweet Water High School (SWHS), Marengo High School (MHS), and A.L. Johnson High School (ALJHS) and their parents to complete their FAFSA. Joiner said the goal was to have 100% of FAFSA filled out by Jan. 31.

“Our goal is to be 100% by the end of January. The school that finishes first in the district will have a pizza party,” said Joiner.

At the time of the meeting, ALJHS was leading the county schools in FAFSA completion.

“Another goal is to receive the $1,000 prize money from Alabama Possible for the most students completing the FAFSA across the state,” said Joiner.

Adulting Day for SWHS and MHS has been set for Mar. 8. For Adulting Day, business and industry partners will come to the schools to share life skills with seniors. Adulting Day will consist of banking, changing a tire, buying car insurance, how to communicate with the police, how to tie a tie, addressing an envelope, and how to dress for an interview.

Robotics teams at ALJHS and SWHS took part in the Robotics Competition at the University of West Alabama (UWA) on Jan. 19. ALJHS came in fifth place and SWHS placed third.

“We are so proud of them and their accomplishments,” said Joiner.

Planning for summer school has begun and Joiner and the reading coaches have begun developing an instructional plan and schedule for Reading. Once a math coach is hired at ALJHS, Joiner will meet with that coach and develop an instructional plan for Math.

“We will be looking at data to identify students that are at risk in reading or math. Those students will receive a letter and phone call to encourage them to make plans to attend summer school,” said Joiner.

The next meeting of the Marengo County BOE will be on Feb. 22 at 4 p.m.