Superintendent Joe Pye and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Barbara Stroble congratulate Oakbrook Elementary' Principal Monica O'Dea and staff


Pye and Stroble congratulate William M. Reeves, Jr. Elementary Principal Laura Blanchard and staff


Pye and Stroble congratulate Summerville Elementary Principal Dr. Gene Sires and staff

District Two Schools earns Red Carpet Awards for being family-friendly, having excellent customer service

Williams M. Reeves, Jr. Elementary School, Oakbrook Elementary School, and Summerville Elementary School are three of South Carolina's 66 schools honored as 2008 Red Carpet Schools, a State Department of Education initiative to recognize schools with family-friendly environments. Dorchester District Two Superintendent Joe Pye and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Barbara Stroble made a visit to the schools on May 19th to make the surprise announcement to William M. Reeves, Jr. Elementary Principal Laura Blanchard, Oakbrook Elementary Principal Monica O'Dea, and Summerville Elementary School Principal Dr. Gene Sires that their schools had been named 2008 Red Carpet Schools. This was Oakbrook Elementary's and Summerville Elementary's second Red Carpet School recognition.

Superintendent Joe Pye congratulated all students and staff for this outstanding honor. "All of our schools have an open-door for parents and members of the community. Everyone should always feel welcome when visiting our schools," said Mr. Pye. "Having our schools designated as Red Carpet Schools indicates that they are doing an excellent job with customer service."

There were 285 schools that applied for the award statewide last fall. Schools prepare written applications that detail their family- friendly philosophies and environments, along with the methods used to self- evaluate those efforts. They also are required to include copies of their schools' communication plans.

Schools that pass the written application phase are then screened by independent judges who rate how telephone callers and visitors to the school are treated. Judges do not identify themselves during telephone calls or site visits, and site visits are not announced in advance.

This year's recipients include two primary schools, 46 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 8 high schools, 1 technical school, and the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind. "Schools that are parent- friendly, schools that have strong customer service, are more likely to be supported by their communities," said State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex. "And community involvement can play a big part in schools' academic success. This year's Red Carpet winners understand that."

This year's Red Carpet winners join other Dorchester District Two schools previously recognized for their welcoming school environments. Alston Middle School, Flowertown Elementary School, Knightsville Elementary School, Newington Elementary School (two recognitions), Oakbrook Elementary School (first recognition), Spann Elementary, Summerville Elementary School (first recognition), and Windsor Hill Elementary School have been named Red Carpet Schools. Winning schools receive actual red carpets with the state seal to display in their lobbies, and they maintain their recognition status for a three-year period.

Members of the South Carolina chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (SC/NSPRA), and staff from the Department of Education, Communities in Schools and current Red Carpet Schools volunteered to take part in the judging process.

Schools were judged on a variety of factors, including the exterior and interior appearance of the campus, the way people were treated in person and over the telephone, and the information and programs available for families and visitors. Specific items that judges evaluated on their site visits included:

Outside

. Clearly marked visitor parking spaces near the front door. . Well-kept grounds that are free of debris and trash. . Plainly marked entrances, particularly the main entrance door.

Front entrance/lobby

. Clean and appealing lobby/front entrance. . "Welcome to our school" signs that clearly direct visitors to the main office. . Attractive, colorful displays of student achievement and school events.

Office

. Clean and tidy front office. . Reading material about the school available for visitors. . Welcoming and professionally dressed staff who greet visitors promptly and quickly ask to offer assistance. . Visitor badges available.

Telephone

. Telephones that are answered promptly (within three rings) and professionally. . Person answering the phone has basic, up-to-date information readily accessible. . Callers are put through to appropriate parties promptly.