Moundsville Mayor Randy Chamberlain, center, presents certificates of appreciation to Principals Jessica Robinette, left, and Julie Sturgill during this week’s City Council meeting. (Photo by Shelley Hanson)

MOUNDSVILLE – Two local elementary school principals were the special speakers this week at Moundsville City Council.

Julie Sturgill, principal at Washington Lands Elementary School, and Jessica Robinette, principal at McNinch Primary School, took turns talking about their schools and what they have to offer.

Sturgill, who has been an educator since 2007, is now in her seventh year as principal at Washington Lands.

Sturgill said much of her time as a principal at the school has been under unusual circumstances. First, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and second, during a three-year construction and renovation project.

“My teachers handled it in stride, which I’m very proud of,” she said. “My teachers and aides are people who truly believe in educating the child as a whole. They’re more than just test scores; we don’t focus on just academics.”

She noted that “every child needs to grow differently.”

“Some are good academically and need to grow socially or behaviorally. So we really believe in educating the child as a whole,” Sturgill said.

The school has a Community in Schools coordinator who has helped significantly reduce student absenteeism rates. Washington Lands also has a therapy dog, Meadow, who helps students having a bad day.

“She’s one of a kind. … Meadow hones in on the students who are struggling,” Sturgill said. “It’s uncanny to watch her. … When a child is struggling she will walk over to them and put her head in their lap. It doesn’t matter if 50 other kids are calling her name. You can tell she really has that sense of who needs her. She will do it to adults as well.

“I’ve seen people who didn’t indicate that something was bothering them, but when her head lands on their leg … they can just well up with tears because they know she knew they really needed her at that time.”

Sturgill believes Meadow has also helped with attendance because students love to come to school to see and pet her.

Robinette, who was recently hired as principal at McNinch, said the campus of the school is “beautiful and is maintained impeccably.”

“The faculty and staff certainly work together. They have a great story to share,” she Robinette said.

She said she frequently will make her rounds in the school to visit classrooms and teachers. It typically takes her a couple hours because of how engaging the instruction is.

“So one of my priorities is to maintain and build those relationships,” Robinette added.

For example, she is outside to greet students when they arrive in the morning and their caregivers. She also visits with them during breakfast and lunch time.

“They’re so friendly. They’re so precious,” she said, noting the school grades include pre-school, kindergarten, first and second.

The school also features a sensory room for all students to use. The physical education instructor teaches all first graders how to ride a bike.

“Our kindergarten classrooms are amazing. These students are reading and writing,” she said. “I’m just floored by the amount of learning and instruction that happens at McNinch every day. It’s wonderful.”

Both principals were presented with certificates of appreciation by Mayor Randy Chamberlain.