By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov

After visiting Lawrence County High School for an upcoming story about Close the Deal, I stopped by their neighbor to the west, Sandy Hook Elementary School (Elliott County). The school serves approximately 250 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

Walking around the school with principal Vanessa Maggard, a former classroom teacher, her past experience became obvious. She interacted with students regarding content areas and was a good sport when students asked her to participate in their art activity.

Fourth-grade students Gavin Whitt and Josh Fraley get a rubbing of principal Vanessa Maggard's shoe during Michelle Ison's art class. It was Gavin's idea to ask her to participate. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Fourth-grade students Gavin Whitt and Josh Fraley get a rubbing of principal Vanessa Maggard’s shoe during Michelle Ison’s art class. It was Gavin’s idea to ask her to participate. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Fourth-grade students in Michelle Ison's art class take a rubbing of principal Vanessa Maggard's shoe. The students took rubbings of their own shoes, drew on limbs and other body parts and turned them into paper monsters. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Fourth-grade students in Michelle Ison’s art class take a rubbing of principal Vanessa Maggard’s shoe. The students took rubbings of their own shoes, drew on limbs and other body parts and turned them into paper monsters. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Ceri Whitley reads her piece on suggestions to improve the town during Robin Griffith's language arts class. Whitley suggested new restaurants in Sandy Hook would give people a place to eat and bring jobs. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Ceri Whitley reads her piece on suggestions to improve the town during Robin Griffith’s language arts class. Whitley suggested new restaurants in Sandy Hook would give people a place to eat and bring jobs. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Tara Griffith helps 5th-grade student Hannah Cole with an assignment during her reading class.. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Tara Griffith helps 5th-grade student Hannah Cole with an assignment during her reading class.. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

First-grade student Tyler Maggard demonstrates his counting skills for Jamee Markwell during her class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

First-grade student Tyler Maggard demonstrates his counting skills for Jamee Markwell during her class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Reading intervention specialist Amanda Dickerson works with the 1st-grade class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Reading intervention specialist Amanda Dickerson works with the 1st-grade class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Sixth-grade students Emmy Greene and Kayarin Montgomery watch their experiment that simulates how a cell membrane works during Lisa Elam's science class. The plastic bag was filled with corn starch and placed in an iodine dilution. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012

Sixth-grade students Emmy Greene and Kayarin Montgomery watch their experiment that simulates how a cell membrane works during Lisa Elam’s science class. The plastic bag was filled with corn starch and placed in an iodine dilution. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 10, 2012