North MS Parent Back to School 2016

NM

North Mississippi

Parent

No. 12 • Fall 2016

Back to l o o h c S Edition

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“Catching Kids Before They Fall”

CATCH Kids Community Access To Child Health Tupelo, MS

Call 662-377-2194

Children under 18 can be seen for free by local doctors and nurse practitioners who volunteer their time and receive no money for their services. Medications needed as a part of treatment are provided at no cost to the children or family.

Still Holding On To Unwanted Baby Weight?

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NM Parent North Mississippi

Editor Ellie Turner Feature Writers Emma Crawford Kent Carmen Cristo Columnists Tylar Setser Laura Walker Photography Lauren Wood

North Mississippi Parent is a bi-annual publication of the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

To subscribe to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, call (662) 842-2611.

To advertise, call (662) 678-1611.

For more on education in north Mississippi, visit djournal.com.

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Rankin Elementary

Table of Contents Features

New on the Block 7 Speaking the Language 13 Back to School Style 20 Teacher Q&A 25 School Calendars 28 Building Blocks 32 10 Things to Note 34

Columns

6 Tips for a Nutritious School Year 11 Opening Up About Risky Behavior 17

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New on the Block

Each year, administrators and principals across Northeast Mississippi shuffle from school to school or position to position, and some are new to their districts entirely.

Story by Emma Crawford Kent Photos by Lauren Wood As the new school year approaches, these educators will spend the month of July preparing to welcome students back to their schools and to take on whatever the year may hold.

In the Tupelo Public School District, longtime assistant superintendent Diana Ezell said good-bye to her post, passing the torch to former director of federal programs Anna Guntharp.

Former Lawhon principal Corlis Curry has moved to central office to replace Guntharp.

Curry was named the 2016 Mississippi Teacher of the Year.

Guntharp will work with the district’s kindergarten through second-grade schools. She said she’s looking forward to working more closely with school administrators, teachers and students.

“With this position you can be more involved with the schools directly and supporting the principals in those buildings,” Guntharp said.

Before serving as federal programs director, Guntharp was principal at Rankin and Parkway elementary schools.

Several schools in Tupelo also will see new faces in their administrative offices this year.

At Lawhon Elementary, Ryan Curry was named principal and Morgan Abraham was named assistant principal.

Curry was formerly assistant principal at Lawhon, and Abraham was a second-grade teacher at Parkway Elementary.

Already being familiar with the school, teachers and students has made the transition smooth, Curry said, and he’s looking forward to seeing familiar faces come August.

“The thing I like about Lawhon are the people that are so Back to School

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Some other newbies across the region include: Booneville Schools: • Brian Windham, assistant principal at Booneville Middle School Union County Schools: • Mary Jane Marquis, assistant principal at Myrtle Attendance Center • Dee Ann Doom, special education director Pontotoc County Schools: • Loretta Hartfield, curriculum coordinator • Sonya Gilley, director of student services

Anna Guntharp, assistant superintendent at Tupelo Public Schools.

giving and caring,” Curry said. “They go above and beyond what they’re supposed to do.”

Other new TPSD administrators include: Heather Cartwright, assistant principal at Lawndale Elementary; L.V. McNeal, assistant principal at Tupelo High School; Mark Enis, assistant principal at THS; Candi Moore-Robertson, assistant principal at THS; Adra Sparkman, assistant principal at Rankin; Larry Harmon, director of transportation; Tanisha Smith, director of the Fillmore Center; Summer Allen, assistant principal at Milam Elementary.

The Pontotoc City School District is in the midst of a big administrative transition following the retirement of former superintendent Karen Tutor and the hiring of Michelle Bivens to replace her.

The district announced Bivens, 38, would replace Tutor in March, and she officially stepped into her new role as superintendent July 1.

A former teacher, Bivens served most recently as an assistant superintendent at Choctaw County Schools for six years. She also handled federal programs and curriculum.

Bivens began her career in education as a third-grade teacher and has since moved up the ranks, holding a number of administrative positions.

She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, an education specialist’s degree in educational leadership and a doctorate in educational administration from Mississippi State University.

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“I couldn’t be more excited about being here,” Bivens said in March. “All of the pieces for this district to be a topfive district in the state are already here, we just have to put them together and maybe a little differently in some places.”

In the Lee County School District, Saltillo Primary School and Guntown Middle School will have new principals in the fall.

Longtime Saltillo Primary principal Ken Smith retired at the end of the school year and will be replaced by Kay Davis.

Davis has been at Saltillo Primary as an assistant principal for several years, and has worked in the school district for nearly 20 years.

Former Guntown Middle School principal Steven Havens and former federal programs director Casey Dye swapped jobs this spring.

Havens now serves as federal programs director for the district and Dye is principal at Guntown.

As principal at Guntown, Dye said he hopes to continue building a supportive community around the school by fostering strong relationships between parents, community members and the school.

“I’m looking forward to just kind of building on the successes that they’ve already had,” Dye said in June. “I’m walking into a good situation where you’ve got great kids and great teachers and a good community who supports them.”

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6 Tips for a Nutritious School Year

As summertime is quickly coming to a close, the time for all new supplies is upon us again. While we’re budgeting and prioritizing the most important items on our lists, it’s the perfect time to be asking ourselves where the priority of our own health and that of our children’s is falling on those lists.

Story by Tylar Setser, Tupelo Public School District FoodCorps Service Member In the hustle and bustle of everyday life - from sporting events to homework to rehearsals and recitals - it’s easier than we think to fall into a health slump by grabbing cheap and easy eats over nutrient-packed options. So here are six quick and easy tips to make this 2016 school year the easiest, most delicious and nutritious school year yet.

1. Don’t neglect the power of snack time.

Snack time is the best time to sneak some nutrient-rich items into you or your child’s belly that’ll leave you feeling all-around satisfied. Some awesome snack recommendations are hummus and veggies, almonds, cheese sticks, turkey and cheese rollups, granola and granola bars. The goal is to limit your sugar intake and to consume something with sustenance (which doesn’t necessarily mean calorie-packed). That way you don’t have a sugar crash and are left looking for more. Try and focus on whole grains, fiber and protein for snack time. Don’t forget to hydrate as well.

2. Hydration & rest keep you at your best!

Keep a water bottle at your child’s side as often as possible. Keeping the H20 readily available greatly increases the likelihood of them drinking more water. Limit soda and sugar-filled drinks to rare treats and choose 100% fruit juice to ensure calories are better spent and vitamin rich.

Also, don’t neglect the importance of rest. Eight hours of rest are extremely important for your body to repair and prepare for your next daily adventures. Don’t prioritize your rest as a luxury but as a necessity.

3. The rule of 3:

It can get really overwhelming quickly if you try to take in all the health advice this world has to offer. So here’s a simple rule of 3’s for processed and packaged food that I like to follow: Go for foods with three or fewer ingredients and/or three or less grams of sugar and/or three or more grams of fiber. Pretty simple, right? Another simple rule is

our bodies are used to real and whole foods - not processed ones. The more fruits, vegetables, nuts and meats you eat, the better.

4. Frozen vegetables are your friends!

Buying fruit or vegetables out of their peak season? Then go frozen over fresh. The longer a fruit or vegetable takes to get to your plate, the less nutrient-dense it’ll be since it’s losing nutrients constantly along its journey. Frozen fruits and vegetables are almost always picked and immediately frozen so there’s no time for loss of nutrients. I love to buy frozen vegetables, toss them in olive oil and spices and pop them right in the oven. It’s quick, easy and turns out delicious!

4. Team work makes the dream work.

Staying active and healthy is a group effort, not an individual one. Make Tuesday and Thursday nights a family walking night. Or vow to at least three nights a week for sit down meals at the table. Keeping each other close allows for accountability and empowerment. Don’t forget, your children will do as you do more than they will do as you say, so be a good model for them. Eat two servings of fruits and vegetables, limit screen time and get outside. Be proactive in your health and the family will follow.

5. Include the children.

The #1 thing I’ve learned in my gardening and cooking sessions with children is the more involved they are with their food, the more likely they are to try and finish the meals set in front of them. So, give the children a chance in the kitchen. Let them prepare the salad, sauté the chicken, stir the sauce - it doesn’t matter what role they have just as long as they have a role. Let them get hands on and have faith in their ability. It also doesn’t hurt to let them prepare their own snack.

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IS YOUR CHILD STRUGGLING IN SCHOOL WITH...

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Speaking the Language Lea Ann Dunklee has held the position of ESL Coordinator for Tupelo Public Schools for only a year, but it’s a role she’s been preparing for her entire life.

Story by Carmen Cristo Photos by Lauren Wood She can trace her love of foreign languages back to her childhood in Texas.

“It has been a lifelong passion,” Dunklee said. “I transferred high schools just to take Spanish.”

In 1995, she graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, with degrees in Spanish Language and Literature. She almost immediately found herself in the classroom.

When her husband took a job in Tupelo in 1997, Dunklee went to work at Tupelo Middle School as a

Spanish teacher. She kept this position until she and her husband moved to Pearl, Miss., for several years before returning to Tupelo in 2004. She went to work for Pontotoc High School as a Spanish and ESL teacher and began her Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language at the University of Mississippi. She completed it in 2007 and returned the following year for a specialist certification in educational leadership and administration.

In 2015, she landed her dream job of ESL Coordinator and hit the ground running.

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According to Dunklee, for an ESL Coordinator, every day brings a new set of challenges and opportunities.

“My job is to make sure that the district stays in compliance with federal and state guidelines concerning students that are learning English as a second or third language,” she said. “And ensuring that they have equal access to an education to native born students.”

This includes working one on one with counselors in the enrollment process, teachers who have an English learner in their classroom as well as parents and translators.

Dunklee also works closely with Tupelo Public School’s English Language Learner Interventionists. These highly trained teachers work with students in kindergarten to fifth grade in English acquisition.

The four most common foreign languages spoken

by Tupelo’s students are Spanish, Japanese, Arabic and Chinese, with Spanish being the most prevalent by far.

While the school district does not have translators on staff for Japanese, Arabic and Chinese, they employ the help of community volunteers. This year, for the first time, the school district had translators for each of the languages on hand for its centralized registration event.

For the upcoming year, Dunklee’s focus will be on acquiring resources to help more middle and high school students who are new to the English language or haven’t mastered it yet.

“According to the State Department of Education, the ESL population in Mississippi has increased 34% in the last 19 months,” she said. “That is something we are paying attention to. We need to ensure that teachers are prepared 14

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with the proper training for when these students enroll in school, that we’ve got the systems in place to serve them when they arrive.”

Tupelo Public Schools intends to provide these resources through the classroom teacher, under a philosophy called the SIOP Method, a research-based strategy for teaching students who don’t know English in the mainstream classroom.

Dunklee’s primary focus and responsibility is creating strategies that enable all of Tupelo’s non-native students to learn the same course content as their peers while also learning a new language.

“These children are very resilient,” she said. “There is a period of culture shock, but once they get through it, humans begin to adapt readily. Survival skills kick in, and you will learn the language you need to survive. It is a difficult process, but there is success at the end.”

While these accommodations are federal law, for Dunklee, the motivation to do her job well goes much deeper.

“For me personally, it is about touching the lives of these children and the future generations that will come after them,” she said. “Their children will have a better life because they were successful in school. It will hopefully be a trickle-down effect that will help future generations have access to a better standard of living.”

Photo: page 13: TPSD ESL coordinator Lea Ann Dunklee, left, and translator Gladys McGraw, center, work with Angelica Castillo register her son and daughter for school at Tupelo Middle School.

Photos by Lauren Wood

SAVE THESE DATES Meet Your Teacher: Monday, August 1: Grades 6th - 8th, 4:00 - 6:00pm Tuesday, August 2: Grades PreK - 5th, 12:00 - 6:30pm THS Registration in the THS Cafeteria, 12-6pm* Monday, July 25: Juniors & Seniors Tuesday, July 26: Sophomores Wednesday, July 27: Freshmen w w w. p h i f a b r i c s . c o m

2020 SOUTH GLOSTER Teachers Receive Located across from Sunshine Mills Next door to Tupelo Lee Humane Society

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To signup, visit djournal.com

*Both parent/guardian and student should attend THS Registration to receive important information, ensure the student is issued a finalized schedule, and a school-issued laptop. Students new to the district should call the THS Registrar at 841-8980.

9th Grade Parent Night in the Performing Arts Center: Thursday, July 28, 6:00 - 7:00pm

CLASSES RESUME FOR ALL STUDENTS ON AUGUST 3RD

www.tupeloschools.com follow us onBack to School

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A New School Year Spells New Expenses.

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No representation is made that the quality of the dental services to be performed is greater than the quality of dental services performed by other dentists.

Opening Up About Risky Behavior Starting a new school year can be a very exciting time in a child’s life. The middle and high school years mark one more milestone towards adulthood, a time of newfound freedom and increased social engagement. While these are great experiences, they can also be host to dangerous situations.

Story by Laura Walker, staff writer at Mississippi Children’s Home Services For some, actively participating in “adult activities” makes the youth feel grown up, but it is during this critical time when parents and guardians need to be most vigilant in educating young people about peer pressure and the dangers of drug, alcohol and other risky behaviors. It is up to parents to identify what is normal and what is a cry for help.

“You know your child better than anyone, but sometimes the warning signs are vague,” Anna Cox, Outpatient Services Regional Manager for Mississippi Children’s Home Services said. “An open line of communication is the best way to make sure you know what is happening in your child’s life.”

Creating an open line of communication with your child starts with regular conversations. These should not be lectures, but back-and-forth conversations where both the parent and the child participate. Established open conversation lays the groundwork for ideal opportunities to talk to your child about drugs, alcohol and other issues teens and adolescents face.

Many parents believe if there was a problem with their teen, they would immediately notice. Cox, as a clinical therapist and former drug and alcohol dependency counselor, warns the everyday hustle and bustle of life may cause us to miss the little things that hint at much bigger problems. Below are some signs that may indicate trouble.

Unusual changes in behavior.

• Overly defensive; constantly asking why you want to know where they are or what they are doing

Changes in relationships and interests.

• Isolate themselves from others • Change in social group; loss of friends • Loss in desire to participate in favorite activities

Other red flags.

• Drop in grades • Obsession with money • Sneaking out of the house or repeatedly breaking curfew • Lying about insignificant events when the truth wouldn’t get them in trouble While we cannot shield children from making bad decisions, but we can teach them the skills they need to guide their decisions when they reach young adulthood.

The best line of defense is being an active participant in your child’s life and maintaining an open line of communication. If a child is willing to talk to you about something, always thank them for coming to you and let them know you will never judge them. Talking openly and honestly will help you decipher whether actions are warning signs or an attempt at independence.

Our best advice for back to school, talk to your children… openly, honestly and often.

• Decrease in activity or appetite • Rapid changes in mood without cause; change in demeanor • Changes in an established routine for no apparent reason Back to School

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D r. P h i l i p G r a h a m - O p t o m e t r i s t Bill Seawright - Optician E y e g l a s s e s • C o n t a c t s : A l l Ty p e s

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MY WORLD

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ENTER and exit the bus in a single-file line, letting younger students go first.

842-3774

DON’T play in the street while waiting for the bus. Stay on the sidewalk.

2045 McCullough Blvd. • Tupelo, MS • 844-0830 Sherrie & Larry Hearn - Owners

CHILD CARE ACADEMY

CROSS in front of the bus, and make sure the driver sees you pass.

C COLOR

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BE aware of the street traffic around you. Avoid wearing headphones while walking.

“On The Square” • P o n t o t o c • 6 6 2 - 4 8 9 - 4 7 4 1

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ALWAYS use the sidewalk when walking to and from school. If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.

Our friendly and concerned neighborhood service providers and merchants have joined together to bring you these important safety tips. Have a happy, healthy and safe 2016-2017 school year.

LOOSE drawstrings and objects should be secured, so they don’t get caught on the handrail or door of the bus.

KEEP a safe distance between you and the bus while waiting for it to stop.

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BILL BENSON

JAYWALKING is dangerous.

Cross the street at crosswalks.

IF you miss the bus, call a parent or guardian to drive you to school.

Never ask a stranger!

MAKE sure to keep your hands to yourself at all times while riding on the bus.

200 Jefferson St., P.O. Box 762 Tupelo, MS 38802

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NEVER throw things on the bus or out the bus window, and always keep your hands and arms inside.

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8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday 662-432-2300

If you have any questions concerning any of the above, please call me.

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400 Hwy 15 North • New Albany

STAY on the sidewalk, at least 10 feet from the road, while waiting for the bus.

VACANT lots and buildings should be avoided on your walk to the bus stop.

USE emergency exits only in emergencies, and make sure not to block them.

W

WAIT for a signal from the bus driver before you cross the street.

907 Varsity Dr. Tupelo • (662) 842-3342

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TALK quietly on the bus, so you don’t distract or annoy the driver.

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REMEMBER to look to the right before you step off the bus. Careless drivers in a hurry may sometimes try to pass on the right.

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HOLD onto the handrail when you are entering and exiting the bus.

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QUICKLY go to your seat when you enter the bus, and keep your feet and belongings out of the aisle.

PRACTICE good behavior on and off the bus. Don’t get talked into breaking the rules!

OBEY your bus driver’s rules and regulations, so he or she can get you to school quickly and safely.

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GET to your bus stop five minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive.

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Back to School

Style

Photos by Lauren Wood

Silly Simpson’s in Tupelo: Eland polo and plaid shorts, Old Soles sandals, prices upon request // ZaZa Couture capri set, Old Soles fringe sandals, prices upon request Models: Grayson and Ella Grace Ramels Back to School

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Lollipop Boutique in Tupelo: tunic and pant set, Chacos, bookbag, prices upon request // taupe sundress, prices upon request Models: Anna NM Lauren Parent Abney (left) and Emily Williams 22

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Carousel Boutique in Pontotoc: ruffle pant set, bow, shoes, prices upon request // dress, bow, knee-high socks and shoes, prices upon request Models: Isabella Golden (left) and Sullivan Kate Holloway Back to School 23

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Questions & Answers

from education professionals in the region

What brought you to the field of education?

As a high school student, I discovered what a difference a good math teacher can make. Mr. Chopp challenged me to think, and showed a love for mathematics that was infectious. I wanted to have that same kind of impact. >> Jean Anderson, Guntown Middle School, 7th-grade math teacher

I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be a teacher. My mom says that as a young child, around 7 or 8, the children on my block seemed to migrate to me. I was the kid leading games in our front yard, being asked to watch the younger children, and organizing activities to keep all of the children in the neighborhood busy. >> Tracy Vainisi, New Albany Middle School, 6-8th-grade gifted teacher

My first reward has been not missing one second of our daughters’ lives. Our oldest daughter, Logan, is a senior at Mooreville High School, and our youngest, Mary Morgan, is an 8th grader. I have proudly watched them on the sidelines cheering on their Troopers at every football game. I have attended all of Logan’s soccer games and ran the soccer concession stand. I have been their Sunday school teacher, VBS teacher, and even their cook at church camp every summer. We have made wonderful memories by the pool and on the beach during those “off months” in the summer. My profession has allowed our family to have a closeness that is rare in today’s society. >> Tracy Lyle, Mooreville Middle School, 6th grade math teacher

The most rewarding part of my job is seeing students reach their potential. I love to see students who think that my class is difficult, but in the end, they do great. This shows them that they are capable of doing amazing things and they can reach any challenge if they put forth the effort. >> Tori Clay, Tupelo High School, biology teacher

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

There are so many things I find rewarding about my job; however, I feel the most rewarding is watching students grow and change over the course of nine months. I love to watch the “light bulbs” come on when they learn something new, and I love to watch as their self-confidence grows when they are successful doing something they have never done before. >> Alison Moore, New Albany High School Career and Technical Center, marketing and business fundamentals teacher

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What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part of my job is motivating students to want to learn, especially because math is a subject that many people prefer to avoid. Whatever their futures hold, students need the skills and logic that they learn in the math classroom. Since so much of learning begins with the desire to understand an idea, it is imperative that students somehow want to make sense of the concepts. Creating an atmosphere where that desire is nurtured is a constant challenge. >> Jean Anderson, Guntown Middle School, 7th-grade math teacher

The most challenging part of my job is not only keeping up, but competing with technology! Every student has a cell phone, and my job is to find ways to either make my class more interesting than that phone or to find ways to incorporate that phone’s technology into my classroom. >> Tracy Lyle, Mooreville Middle School, 6th-grade math teacher

One of the most challenging parts of teaching is realizing some students are faced with many outside activities and pressures and sometimes it has an impact on their learning. >> Merritt Lee Herring, Thomas Street Elementary, first-grade teacher

Because my courses are elective classes, the students choose to take them. I don’t have many discipline problems, so I would say the most challenging part of my job is working with students of different grade levels and skill levels. I often have 10th-, 11th-, and 12th-grade students in class together. The maturity levels are very different, as are their abilities.

It is sometimes challenging to plan lessons that engage all students without leaving any behind. >> Alison Moore, New Albany High School Career and Technical Center, marketing and business fundamentals teacher

The most challenging part of my job is convincing students that they have the ability to do great things. When students come to me as ninth-graders, their confidence is usually low and they think everything is too hard for them.

Some students are discouraged by their circumstances and do not see the importance in their education. I try to be the teacher that some of the greatest teachers were to me and help them realize that education could be the tool to rise above their circumstances. >> Torri Clay, Tupelo High School, biology teacher

Challenge and reward are similar to the circle of life for me as an educator, my challenge being to capture and motivate my students into seeing the worth of what I am teaching and the reward being those students realizing the value which then gives me the desire to keep capturing and motivating them. Being a teacher of the gifted allows me the benefit of developing my own curriculum that suits the individual interests and needs of my students, which is also, in itself, a challenge and a reward. I am fortunate to be in a school district that encourages me and my students to think outside the box and engage in units of study that engage my students in the classroom and out in the community. >> Tracy Vainisi, New Albany Middle School, 6-8th-grade gifted teacher

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School Calendars

Aberdeen School District

Aug. 3 Begin School Year Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 10 District Holiday Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 15 Early Dismissal (60 percent day) Dec. 16-Jan. 2 Christmas holidays Jan. 3 Professional Development Jan. 4 Students return Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Holiday March 13-17 Spring Holidays April 14 Easter Holiday May 9 Seniors’ Last Day of Class May 18 Early Dismissal (60 percent day) May 18 End of School Year May 19 Graduation

Alcorn School District

Aug. 4 Student’s First Day Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 10-12 Fall Break Oct. 12 Staff Development/Parent Conference Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 20 School Dismissal at 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 21-Jan 4 Christmas Holidays Jan. 4 Staff Development (District Wide) Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Holiday Feb. 20 Presidents Day - No School for Students/Staff Development for Teachers March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday (No School) April 17 Good Monday (No School) May 25 Students Last Day

Amory School District

Aug. 2 Back to School Celebration 3-7 p.m.

Aug. 4 Students’ First Day Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Professional Development (no students) Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays December 16 Early Dismissal (60 percent day) Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Christmas holidays Jan. 3 Professional Development (no students) Jan. 4 Students’ First Day Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 20 Professional Development (no students) March 13-17 Spring Break April 7 Railroad Festival holiday 28

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April 14 Good Friday April 17 Easter Monday holiday May 18 Amory High School Graduation May 23 60% Day - Students’ Last Day

Baldwyn School District

Aug. 1 Professional Development 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Aug. 1 Student Registration 2 until 6 p.m.

Aug. 3 First day of school Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 10-11 Fall Break Holiday Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 16 60 percent day Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Christmas Holidays Jan. 3 Professional Development Jan. 4 Students begin 2nd semester Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Feb. 20 Presidents’ Day Holiday March 13-17 Spring Holidays April 14-17 Easter Holidays May 19 Graduation May 22 60 percent day, end of school

Benton County School District

Aug. 8 Students’ First Day Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct.10 Teacher Work Day (no students) Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 16 60% Day Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Christmas Holidays Jan. 3 Teacher Work Day (no students) Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Feb. 20 Teacher Work Day (no students) March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday Holiday April 17 Good Monday Holiday May 20 AHS Graduation 10 a.m.; HFAC Graduation 1 p.m.

May 24 60% Day

Calhoun County School District

Aug. 9 First Day for Students Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 10 & 11 Professional Development Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 22 63% Day Dec. 23-Jan. 6 Christmas Holidays January 9 Professional Day Jan. 10 First Day of Second Semester Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Holiday Feb. 20 Professional Day Mar. 13-17 Spring Holidays

April 14-17 Easter Holiday May 26 Last Day for Students (63% day) May 26 Last Day for Teachers (All Day) May 26 Graduation – VHS 6 p.m./ CCHS 8 p.m.

May 27 Graduation – BHS 6 p.m.

Chickasaw County School District

Aug. 4 First Day of School Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 7-10 Fall Break/Columbus Day Holiday Oct. 11 Professional Development Day Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 16 Early dismissal (60 percent day) Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Christmas Holidays Jan. 3 Work Day Jan. 4 Students begin second semester Jan. 16 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Feb. 20 President’s Day Holiday Feb. 21 Professional Development March 13-17 Spring Break April 13 Prom April 14 and April 17 Easter Holidays May 25 Last Day for students (60 percent day) May 26 Graduation

Corinth School District

Aug. 1 First Day of School Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Sept. 30 60 Percent School Day Oct. 3-21 Fall Break Oct. 24 Resume classes Nov. 23-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 16-Jan. 4 Christmas Holidays/Winter Break Jan. 3 Staff Development Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday March 10 60 percent day March 13-31 Spring Break April 3 Resume Classes April 14 Good Friday Holiday May 29 Memorial Day June 16 Graduation 7 p.m.

Holly Springs School District

Aug. 1-3 Teacher Academy Aug. 4 Students’ first day Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Fall Break Oct. 11 Professional Development Day/ Fall break students

School Calendars

Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 20 60 percent day Dec. 21-Jan. 3 Christmas/New Year’s holidays Jan. 4 Professional Development/Student holiday Jan. 5 Students return Jan. 16 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 20 President’s Day holiday March 13-17 Spring Break March 20 Professional Development/Student holiday April 14 Good Friday holiday April 17 Good Monday holiday May 23 Students’ last day/60 percent day May 26 Graduation

Houston School District

Aug. 5 First day for students Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Columbus Day holiday Oct. 11 Professional Development (no students) Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 20 Early dismissal (60 percent day) Dec. 21-Jan. 2 Christmas Holidays Jan. 3 Professional Development (no students) Jan. 16 Dr. Martin Luther King and Robert E. Lee holiday Feb. 20 President’s Day Feb. 21 Professional Development (no students) March 13-17 Spring Break April 14-17 Easter Holiday May 18 Graduation May 23 Last day for students/teachers (60 percent day)

Itawamba County School District

Aug. 1-3 Professional Development Aug. 4 First Day for Students Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Columbus Day holiday Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 16 60% Day Dec. 19 – Jan. 1 Christmas holidays Jan. 2 Observed New Years holiday Jan. 3 2nd Semester Begins for Students and Staff Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 20 Professional Development March 13-17 Spring holidays

April 14 Good Friday May 18 60% Day May 19 Professional Development/Graduation Practice May 20 graduation at ICC – Davis Event Center Mantachie 1 p.m.; Tremont 4 p.m.; IAHS 7 p.m.

Lafayette County School District

Aug. 5 First Day for Students Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 7-10 Fall Break Oct.11 School Resumes Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holiday Dec. 20 60% Final Day for Students Dec. 21 - Jan. 3 Christmas Holiday Jan. 4 Staff Development Day No Students Jan. 5 Students Return Jan. 16 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Feb. 20 President’s Day – No School March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday Holiday April 17 Good Monday Holiday May 19 Graduation May 23 60% Final Day for Students

Lee County School District

Aug. 3 First Day for Students Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 5 Professional Development/No school for students Oct. 10 Columbus Day Holiday Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 16 60 percent day Dec. 19 - Jan. 2 Christmas Holidays Dec. 3 Professional Development Jan. 4 Students return Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Feb. 20 President’s Day Holiday March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday Holiday April 17 Easter Monday Holiday May 20 Graduation May 22 Last Day for Students/60 percent day

Marshall County School District Aug. 2-4 Teacher Work days Aug. 5 Students’ first day Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Fall break Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays

Dec. 21-Jan. 4 Christmas holidays Jan. 5 Teacher work day Jan. 6 Students return Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 20 Presidents’ Day holiday March 13-17 Spring break April 14 Good Friday holiday April 17 Good Monday holiday May 23 Last day for students May 24-26 Teacher work days May 27 Graduation for all high schools

Monroe County School District

August 1-3 Professional Development Aug. 4 First day for students Sept. 5 Labor Day Holiday Oct. 10 Professional Development Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 19 – Jan. 2 Christmas Break Jan. 3 First day of second semester Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Holiday Feb. 20 Professional Development March 13 – 17 Spring Break April 7 Railroad Festival Holiday April 14 Good Friday Holiday May 18 Hatley and Smithville Graduation May 19 Hamilton Graduation May 22-23 Professional Development

New Albany School District

July 29 New Staff Orientation Aug. 1-3 Professional Development Aug. 4 First Day of School Sept. 5 Labor Day Oct. 10 Columbus Day/Fall Break Nov. 21- 26 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 16 60% Day Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Christmas Holidays Jan. 2 Professional Development Jan. 3 Classes Resume/Students Return Jan. 16 King Holiday (No School) Feb. 20 Presidents’ Day (No School) March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday (No School) May 18 Last Day for Students/60% Day May 19 Professional Development/Graduation

Oxford School District

Aug. 1 New Teacher Orientation Aug. 3-5 Professional Development (No students) Aug. 8 First Day for Students Back to School

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School Calendars Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 7-10 Fall Break Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 21-Jan. 3 Christmas/New Year Holidays Jan. 4 Professional Development (no students) Jan. 5 Students return/classes resume Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Feb. 20 Professional Development (No students) March 13-17 Spring Break April 14, 17 Good Friday/Easter Monday Holiday May 5 Late Spring break May 25 Last day for students May 26 Graduation

Pontotoc City School District

Aug. 1-4 Professional Development Aug. 5 Classes start - all students Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Sept. 30 Warrior Pride Day/Homecoming - Fall Break Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 16 60 percent day Dec. 16-Jan. 4 Christmas holidays Jan. 3 Professional Development (no students) Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 20 President’s Day holiday March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday April 17 Easter holiday May 19 Graduation May 23 60 percent day; last day for students

Prentiss County School District

Aug. 1-3 Professional Development Aug. 4 Students start school Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Columbus Day holiday Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 16 60 percent day Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Christmas holidays Jan. 3, 4 Professional Development Jan. 5 Students return Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holidy Feb. 20 President’s Day March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday holiday May 21 Pre-K graduation at Thrasher 2 30

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p.m.

May 22 Thrasher graduation 7 p.m.

May 23 New Site graduation 7 p.m.

May 25 Wheeler graduation 5 p.m.; Jumpertown graduation 7 p.m.

May 25 Last Day students (60 percent day)

South Tippah School District

Aug. 1-2 Staff Development (no students) Aug. 3 Students first day Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Fall Break Oct. 11 Staff development (no students) Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 16 60 percent day Dec. 19-Jan. 2 Christmas holidays Jan. 3 Classes resume Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 20 Staff development (no students) March 13-17 Spring holidays April 14 Good Friday holiday April 17 Better Monday holiday April 18 Staff development (no students) May 24 60 percent day/Last student day May 26 Graduation May 25-26 Staff development (no students)

Tishomingo County School District

Aug. 1-3 Staff Development (no students) Aug. 4 First day for students Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 10 Columbus Day holiday Oct. 13 Staff development (60 percent day) Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 16 60 percent day Dec. 19-Jan. 3 Christmas holidays Jan. 4 Classes resume Jan. 12 Staff development Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 20 President’s Day holiday March 13-17 Spring holidays April 14 Good Friday holiday May 16 Belmont graduation May 18 Tishomingo County graduation May 19 60 percent day/Last day for students

Tupelo School District

Aug. 3 Students Report/Begin Classes Sept. 5 School Holiday (Labor Day) Oct. 7 Professional Development Day Oct. 10 School Holiday (Columbus Day) Oct. 18 60% Day for Students

Nov. 21-25 School Holidays (Thanksgiving) Dec. 19 - Jan. 1 School holidays (Christmas) Jan. 2 Staff Day Jan. 3 Students Report/Begin Classes Jan. 16 School Holiday (Martin Luther King Day) Feb. 20 School Holiday (President’s Day) March 13-17 School Holidays (Spring Break) March 23 60% Day for Students April 14 and 17 School Holidays (Good Friday and Monday) May 19 Graduation May 19 End School Year

Union County School District

Aug. 1- 3 Professional Development Aug.4 First Day of School Sept. 5 Labor Day Oct. 10 Columbus Day/Fall Break Nov. 21-26 Thanksgiving Holidays Dec. 16 60% Day Dec. 19-30 Christmas Holidays Jan. 2 Professional Development Jan. 3 Classes Resume/Students Return Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Holiday (No School) Feb. 20 Presidents’ Day (No School) March 13-17 Spring Break April 14 Good Friday (No School) May 18 East Union/Ingomar Graduation/ Last Day for Students/60% Day May 19 Myrtle/West Union Graduation/ Professional Development

West Point School District

Aug. 2 New Teacher Orientation Aug. 3-5 Professional Development Aug. 8 First day for students Sept. 5 Labor Day holiday Oct. 17 Student holiday Nov. 21-25 Thanksgiving holidays Dec. 21-Jan. 3 Christmas holidays Jan. 4 Professional Development (student holiday) Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Feb. 6 Student holiday March 13-17 Spring break April 14-17 Good Friday, Easter Monday break May 21 Graduation May 23 Last day for students

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Tupelo Middle School

TPSD Bond Tour

Milam Elementary

Building Blocks

As parents and students return to school in the Lee County and Tupelo school districts, they may find they don’t recognize some of the campuses. With just a few short weeks until the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, major school construction projects are wrapping up in both districts.

Story by Emma Crawford Kent Photos by Lauren Wood

Tupelo Schools

In the Tupelo Public School District, this summer brought with it major renovation and construction projects, all funded by the district’s $44 million bond issue passed in 2015.

A six classroom addition is currently being built at The King Early Childhood Education Center.

At Tupelo Middle School, a five classroom addition is being added.

Those two projects are not scheduled to be done until later in the year.

Major renovations at Milam and Rankin Elementary schools are slated to be completed this summer.

According to Andy Cantrell, director of operations for TPSD, both school buildings were in need of significant work because of their age. Milam was built in the 1930s and Rankin in 1952, and neither have been updated in recent years.

At Rankin, the administrative office and media center are being reconfigured.

HVAC units, ceiling, flooring, windows and lights will also be replaced throughout the entire school.

The school entrance will also be renovated to make it more secure by adding two sets of double doors.

To top it off, the whole school building will get a fresh coat of paint.

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Other updates include a new fire alarm and new data cabling throughout.

Charles Laney, project manager from JBHM Architects, said the Rankin renovation is the biggest project being done in the district this summer.

Almost every surface in the school is being refreshed or replaced.

Drainage issues in Rankin’s courtyard are also being resolved, and materials in the school containing undisturbed asbestos have been removed.

Similar renovations are being made at Milam. The sixthgrade school’s music and gym suites will receive a facelift along with Milam’s gym which will be updated with new flooring, stair tread and paint.

New HVAC units and a completely new roof will also be installed at Milam, making the building more energy efficient.

Minor updates are also being done at Lawndale Elementary School this summer, where a breezeway has been enclosed for added security.

Gearl Loden, TPSD superintendent, said he believes the renovations will make the schools a better workplace and learning environment for students.

“I feel like we’ve made great strides,” Loden said. “I’m really excited about Rankin and Milam.”

Rankin Elementary

Lee County Schools

Guntown Middle School and Shannon High School will look a little different to students in the fall thanks to the Lee County School District’s 2013 $13.5 million bond issue, which has funded construction on several of the district’s campuses.

The Guntown and Shannon projects were completed this summer.

At Shannon High School, a new classroom building was finished this summer. This is the second addition the campus has received in the past year. The school’s new cafeteria building, which it shares with the middle school, was completed around this time last year.

A classroom building addition was completed at Guntown Middle School mid-July, marking the completion of the final bond project for the district.

Along with the construction of a new classroom building at Guntown, two other buildings were torn down to make a courtyard on the campus.

Jimmy Weeks, superintendent of Lee County Schools, said all teachers should be able to move into the new buildings on time.

“We are on track to start school and have classes in that new building at Guntown,” Weeks said.

Besides the two projects finished this summer, the district has used bond money to do major and much-needed

renovations and construction on nine of its campuses.

The district built new restrooms and a concession stand to be used during football games at Shannon High as part of the new cafeteria project. The building doubles as an auditorium when needed.

A two-story, 12-classroom building was added to Saltillo High School along with additional cafeteria space that features a third serving line and a secure visitors’ entrance to the school.

A new administrative building was built at Mooreville Middle School and houses a more prominent entrance to the school, an office suite, a meeting room, teacher work room, restrooms and four classrooms A new P.E. building, expanded dining space and new classrooms and restrooms were built at Saltillo Primary last fall.

Other previously completed projects include a five-classroom building at Plantersville Middle and renovations of hallways and restrooms at Saltillo Elementary, Shannon Elementary and Verona Elementary.

Weeks said he is very satisfied with the finished projects across the district.

“The contractors we worked with have finished early on every job,” Weeks said. “The jobs look good. We have gotten positive feedback from the community. I don’t think it could have gone any better than it did.”

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10 Things to Note The Tupelo Public School District has introduced new procedures for administering non-negotiable discipline policies for the upcoming school year. The new procedures take a ladder-approach to applying discipline, with different consequences depending on a number of factors, including grade level. One of the most significant changes is the addition of loss of driving privileges as punishment for high school students. The new procedures are designed to give administrators the flexibility to evaluate discipline infractions on a case-by-case basis while still being guided by a fair policy.

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Five new school buses will hit the road in the Lee County School District this fall. The district purchased the buses in July, but still has many on the roads it would like to replace.

2

Tupelo Schools will roll out a new initiative focused on customer service this fall. The initiative is designed to bring district-wide attention to interactions between district employees and the district’s stakeholders on a day-to-day basis. The initiative will take the form of personalized trainings for teachers, administrators and other employees.

3

A number of area school districts will participate in a Mississippi Department of Education pilot program called “Computer Science 4 Mississippi,” which aims to put computer science curriculum in all kindergarten through 12th-grade classrooms statewide. Pilot program school districts from the Northeast Mississippi region include: Lee County Schools, Houston Schools, Nettleton Schools, Pontotoc County Schools, Pontotoc City Schools, Tishomingo County Schools, Corinth Schools, Alcorn County Schools, New Albany Schools, Oxford Schools, Lafayette County Schools and Benton County Schools.

4

The “Imagine the Possibilities” Career Expo will expand this year to include a total of 17 Northeast Mississippi counties. Eighth grade students from school districts in these counties will come to the BancorpSouth Arena and have the opportunity to experience a taste of hundreds of careers through hands-on activities. This year’s expo will be held Oct. 4-6.

5

The Houston, Chickasaw County (Houlka) and Okolona school districts will begin the school year amid discussions about the potential consolidation of the three districts next summer. Consolidation was proposed during the 2016 legislative session but was postponed in favor of a year of evaluation before combining the districts.

7

The United Way will be giving out free backpacks and school supplies to kindergarten through sixth-grade students in July and August at the organization’s annual Back 2 School resource fairs. Fairs have already been held in Chickasaw, Itawamba, Lee, Prentiss and Tishomingo counties. Fairs will be held in Pontotoc and Union counties on Aug. 6 from 9:30-11:30 at West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc and Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany.

You do not have to live in the same county the fair is taking place to receive supplies.

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Corinth School District will begin its first school year as a District of Innovation. Corinth Schools is the only school district in Northeast Mississippi to receive the designation, which gives public school districts freedom to use innovative methods outside of state regulations, much like charter schools.

6

Voters in the Monroe County School District will vote on Aug. 16 whether or not to pass a $10 million bond issue for physical improvements to the district’s school buildings and campuses.

Projects funded by the bond would likely include additional classroom space at Hatley and Hamilton, paving and parking area renovations, roofing projects, floor and ceiling tile projects, restroom renovations, accreditation standard renovations, HVAC replacements, athletic field lighting upgrades and interior/exterior painting.

8

The Mississippi Department of Education released accountability ratings for the 2014-2015 school year for schools and school districts statewide earlier this month. The ratings are based on test scores from the PARCC assessment, which the MDE has since traded for the Mississippi Assessment Program, and other factors.

According to an MDE spokesperson, the ratings are being released nearly two years late because PARCC continually sent them incorrect data, delaying the calculation of ratings. Ratings for the 2015-2016 school year are slated to be released in October.

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