Achievement School District Chief Dr. Sharon Griffin toured Kirby Middle School on Wednesday to observe an unusual collaboration that took shape after rodents – mainly rats –forced the move of students out of Shelby County Schools’ Kirby High School.
“We are just elated about the partnership that is being forged between Shelby County Schools and ASD,” Griffin said.
When the needs of children are on the line and the means and resources to address those needs are within reach, partnerships are in the line of duty was Griffin’s position.
“That is all of our responsibility, not just those who work in education,” she said.
Kirby Middle School, which is operated by ASD operator Green Dot Public Schools, is located at 6670 East Raines Rd. The more than 800-plus students assigned to SCS’s Kirby High School in Hickory Ridge began attending classes temporarily on Monday at three school campuses, with about 400 relocated to Kirby Middle School.
Kirby High freshmen and sophomores – about 400 of them – were sent to DuBois Middle School of Leadership and Public Policy. A few of Kirby’s special education students were routed to Southwind High School in east Shelby County.
Kirby Middle School principal Marian Williams recalled how the arrangements for displaced students began.
“I was looking at the report on the news,” said Williams. “It was determined that the Kirby High students would not be able to return to their school until November, I felt like we could help. I got on the phone and called (SCS) Superintendent Dorsey Hopson and our commissioner, Kevin Woods. We started to just work out the details from there.”
Griffin said changes in bus routes and classroom logistics are all working out well.
Williams and Kirby Middle staff shifted their middle school students to a main area of the school. Nineteen classrooms in a separate wing of the school presently operate as the temporary home of Kirby High Cougars.
“Both student bodies have separate lunch periods, dismissal schedules and full, separate administrations,” said Williams.
“We want to see ASD schools connecting with the communities around them. That is a high priority for this administration. The spirit of cooperation and partnership is so wonderful to see. And we want to be engaged in more partnerships like this one. We must help each other reach our goals.
Griffin said the Kirby High staff and ASD administrators are committed to maintaining a sense of normalcy for the students in regards to social events, sports, club functions and other extra-curricular activities.
