Mount Pleasant Magazine Fall 2011

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Back to School
as an assistant principal in 1993
and has been principal since 2003,
pointed out that parents are regular
visitors to the school, which, like its
predecessor, is on Rifle Range Road.
They help out in the library, read to
students, help teachers with various
tasks, monitor kids in the cafeteria
and attend field trips. They spend so
much time at Whitesides that they
have their own room to meet and
plan activities.
Pounder added that parents also
have helped make Whitesides a bet-
ter place to learn by donating items
including artwork and countertops
in the reception office.
“This is a wonderful community,”
said Pounder. “The parents are really
involved in the school.”
Pounder’s staff includes around 55
full time teachers and another dozen
or so who work at more than one
school. Their efforts, always exem-
plary, according to their principal, are
now enhanced by three computer labs
and a smart board in every classroom.
Approximately 650 students will
attend Whitesides this fall, and
there’s room for another 150. Un-
like in the past, there’s space for
students, parents and relatives to
attend an event in the cafeteria/au-
ditorium combination. And parking
is no longer a problem. Even if the
lot is full, there is overflow parking
at the Mount Pleasant Waterworks
facility next door.
Mamie P. Whitesides Elemen-
tary School was named for a long-
time Mount Pleasant teacher. The
school’s principal, who already has
been at the school for 18 years,
plans to stay a while as well.
“If you love what you do, why would
you leave?” she asked. “This is a great
place to work. I love the challenges and
all the moving parts that go with run-
ning an elementary school.”
“The children are excited about
learning,” she added. “You can see the
light bulbs coming on when they ex-
plain what they are learning. It makes
you feel good about the future.”
For more information,
visit ,
and
.
Principal
Lona Pounder
plans to
have a long
future at the
school’s new
location.
photo by Brian Sherman
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