MCS recognizes Bob Jones for earning CLAS distinction

MADISON – Bob Jones High School was recognized by the Madison City Schools Board of Education Thursday night for earning CLAS Banner School of Distinction status.

This award recognizes schools that serve as outstanding educational models for other Alabama schools.

Founded in 1969, CLAS provides targeted professional development and support for Alabama’s public school administrators.

“In February Bob Jones was recognized for their Patriot Path program, which they have worked so hard to implement over the past few years,” Dr. Heather Donaldson, chief academic officer for Madison City Schools, told the school board. “CLAS recognized only 24 Schools of Distinction in the state for their outstanding programs and the very dedicated service they provide to their students.”

Patriot Path is a student initiative that develops marketable skills, such as leadership development, relationship building, project development and networking with community partners. It offers students a variety of course and activity options to take for one hour each week. Those offerings run the gamut, from recreational activities, to study halls, to learning a new skill like dance, baking or basic car maintenance. Courses may be taught by a student, a faculty member or an outside member from the community willing to share an interest.

Bob Jones Principal Sylvia Lambert said the program has helped foster student-faculty connections throughout the campus. It also gives students a mid-week break from the rigors of a structured school day.

“We have so many different types of skills taught through Patriot Path. It’s really a great opportunity for students to express themselves and make connections – not only student-to-student but student-to-teacher and student-to-community,” Lambert said. “We even have a group of ladies who come in and teach knitting every week. There are 20-30 students who are learning to knit from them. They knit blankets for the homeless shelters – they do all kinds of good things through that.”

Bob Jones 10th-grader Ernest “E.J.” Jackson spoke positively to the board about Patriot Path. He said he thought with his stomach when deciding what he wanted to do. “I was hungry, so I learned how to make a cake in a mug,” Jackson told the school board. “It was very fun and a good opportunity to learn how to cook. I learned how to make new friends through it too.”

“Patriot Path is a great outlet for us to express our creativity,” added Sarah Arafat, a junior at Bob Jones. “I have seen it grow since my freshman year and just get better and better.”

Arafat said in elementary school she always loved to read, but as she progressed into middle school and high school, the time to sit and just read to herself seemed to dwindle. One teacher created a relaxing atmosphere through Patriot Path for students to have an hour to themselves to do things like read.

“She basically boiled hot water and had tea bags available for everyone,” Arafat said. “She had couches in her room, and it was a solid 55 minutes to just relax and read.”