BSCTCS MAYO CAMPUS HAS BEEN HOME FOR SOME PAINTSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

For the past nine months, head start, kindergarten and first-grade students from Paintsville Elementary School have made their home on the Mayo campus of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC).

The students were moved to the college as a temporary location while Paintsville Elementary School underwent a major renovation.

John Brown, with Paintsville Independent Schools, worked as an administrator with the students at the temporary site. He said the college went above and beyond to provide assistance and make the transition as smooth as possible.

We have a new, renovated school down the street, but its bittersweet leaving the campus, said Brown. Weve been treated wonderful here, and I want to thank everyone for their willingness to provide our faculty, staff and students with a great environment to learn.

Bobby McCool, chief institutional officer at BSCTC, said the students were a welcomed addition to the campus.

It was rewarding to watch the students get off the bus and head to class full of excitement each day, said McCool. We value the partnerships we have with all of the school districts across our region.

McCool added that having the students on campus demonstrated the commitment the college has to education in the Big Sandy region.

You could look at any direction and see children in head start, kindergarten and first grade just embarking on their journey of education, and college students being trained to enter the workforce or move on to earn undergraduate and professional degrees.

Coy Samons, superintendent of Paintsville Independent Schools, said the moving of students to the Mayo campus showed how well schools in the area work together for the betterment of children.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College was tremendous to work with, said Samons. All of us had the same goal in mind: to provide our students with a safe environment for learning.

Brown, who has spent most of his career in high schools, said working with younger students was refreshing.

Ill miss these students dearly, said Brown. Each student is unique and so are their personalities. They are extremely eager to learn and our hope is that they carry that eagerness throughout their school years and beyond.