Lisa Rhodes

Harlan Elementary School Guidance Counselor Lisa Rhodes said students should feel familiarity with review materials because, "if we've covered the state objectives, we've covered what we need to for the test."

In the Florence district, Rhodes said test preparation begins in September, soon after school starts.

"We set goals for the test, and I talk to every student (in third and fourth grade) about what it will take to meet those goals," Rhodes said.

Harlan Elementary first-grade teacher Lisa Rhodes said she's careful to incorporate patriotism into her classroom studies on a regular basis.

"At this age, it's really important not only to share with the children that they should be proud to be Americans but toteach them why," Rhodes said.

Harlan Elementary is doing more programs with patriotic themes.

Like many area schools, a special schoolwide program is planned in commemoration of 9-11.

"We're stressing on a day-to-day basis our country's importance," Rhodes said.

Rhodes says she remembers Sept. 12 of last year.She remembers the daylong topic of conversation.

"The children talked about it all day, and we really tried to redirect their thinking to simply be proud of being Americans and all the advantages they have in this country," she said.

Rhodes' class recites the Pledge of Allegiance every morning.

It starts the day off right, she says.

Many schools in the area say the Pledge of Allegiance every morning over the intercom.

Lisa Rhodes, who teaches at Harlan School and just received her certification, said she was shocked and disappointed to learn she would not receive the money for her classroom.

"We read it in the paper and just really couldn't believe it," she said.
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Rhodes said she and her fellow teachers at the meeting were pleased to have the board's support.She said she didn't know until the meeting that there was a resolution.

"To go through this process, you have to be a very devoted teacher in the first place," Rhodes said.