First Lady Ginger Beebe visits Cabot Schools

Cabot Public Schools were honored with a visit from First Lady Ginger Beebe on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Mrs. Beebe arrived on the high school campus, where she was greeted by Principal Henry Hawkins, Director of Food Services, Erin Wilkes, and Director of Federal Programs Tina Kimbrell.

Mrs. Beebe's first stop was the new Cabot High School Cafeteria where she was given a tour through the kitchen and dining areas by Erin Wilkes and high school cafeteria manager, Belinda Chaney. She was surprised by the variety of choices available to students and staff and the healthy lifestyle encouraged by the large selection of fresh fruits available.

Mrs. Beebe was impressed to note that students are served very quickly, allowing them plenty of time to eat. Also, the high school is now serving approximately 300 additional students who qualified for free/reduced meals, more than ever before. Mrs. Beebe credits the hard work of Mrs. Wilkes in assuring that every student can choose from the ten different serving lines, as each line qualifies for meals that are completely reimbursable.

The First Lady then visited Westside Elementary, where she was greeted by Principal Lisa York and the Westside third- and fourth-grade Student Ambassadors. She shared the book Sandwich Swap with Mrs. De Collie's second-grade class to inspire students to appreciate one another's individual character and cultural diversity. Mrs. Beebe encouraged students to work hard in school and always try their best.

                             
Mrs. Beebe's last visit of the day was to the newly finished Cabot Public Schools' Bookmobile, the Reading Road Trip. Dr. Harold Jeffcoat, Director of Elementary Curriculum, guided The First Lady through the bus, sharing the vision and organization of the bookmobile. The Reading Road Trip will serve the community over the summer months by sharing books with children and adults. “I would love for other communities in our state to use this as a model,” Mrs. Beebe stated.

Visit Mrs. Beebe's website for more information about her and her visit to Cabot Schools.