Inside the Backpack has moved!

Inside the Backpack fans, this blog has moved to http://www.NeMs360.com, the new online site for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal. Please bookmark the new site on your Web browsers, and continue to send in your education news!

Tupelo student meets with Sen. Wicker in D.C.

From Roger Wicker’s office:

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, February 25, U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., met with Tate Clayton, a fourth grade honors student at Carver Elementary School in Tupelo. During his visit with Senator Wicker, Clayton discussed the duties of a United States Senator. Following the meeting, he received a tour of the U.S. Capitol. Clayton is the grandson of Bobby and Jean Laney, who relocated to Tupelo following Hurricane Katrina.

Corinth High duo delivers special Valentine

Kim Jobe, project director with the Corinth School District, sent this Valentine funny about two Corinth High students and their favorite teacher:

Two seniors played a practical joke that will be one of the top memories of one Corinth High School teacher’s career. Garrett Whitehurst and Cameron Aultman had T-shirts made with photos of their accounting teacher, Cheryl Hurley, on the front of them. The photos were from her days at Corinth High School including a photo of Hurley as homecoming queen. The shirt also stated that their hearts belonged to “Queen Cheryl.” The back of the T-shirts carried a poem which stated “Roses are red, violets are blue, we hope we get an A in accounting, too!” The picture shows the two seniors with Hurley.

Valentine’s project at E. Corinth Elementary

Kim Jobe, project director for the Corinth School District, sent this photo and info to Inside the Backpack:

Students in Becky Hill’s second-grade class at East Corinth Elementary School found a new way to mark Valentine’s Day this year. In an effort to show care and concern to two of their classmates, students – with the help of their parents – collected funds in order to obtain gift cards to a local retailer for them. The two students’ homes were lost due to two different fires recently.

TMS band director named outstanding in region

Zanthia Slaughter – once a band mom, always a band mom! – forwarded me this tidbit from Vance Wigginton, director of bands for Tupelo High School. I’m planning something for the DJ print product.

Tupelo Middle School band director Dale Wigginton has received the George Henry Schultz Award as the Outstanding Band Director for Northeast Mississippi. This award is given annually by the Northeast Mississippi Band Directors Association. The award is based on the candidate’s teaching record, contribution to the improvement of Northeast Mississippi bands, community involvement, and dedication to the profession. Mrs. Wigginton, along with her husband Vance, received the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Band Director Award for the state of Mississippi in 2007. She is currently the state Colorguard representative for the Mississippi Indoor Association, which is a performance venue for Percussion and Colorguard in the spring semester. She has been teaching for 23 years.

Seussdays at Parkway Elementary

I can’t wait to visit Tupelo’s Parkway Elementary this week for Seussdays! Media Specialist Alisha Hughes tells me the K-3 school used a $1,200 grant from the Association for Excellence in Education to host this weeklong celebration of beloved children’s author Dr. Seuss.

Every specials class (art, music, PE, etc.) will be doing something Dr. Seuss-related, from making red and white “Cat in the Hat” hats to Oobleck slime. The media center also has been transformed into Seussville.

I’ll be at Parkway on Wednesday to check things out. You can read more about it in Monday’s Daily Journal! In the meantime, enjoy these pics sent by Beth Martin from the school.

Starkville High School principal resigns

From Nicole Thomas, public information officer for the Starkville School District:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Starkville High School Principal Kathi Wilson has resigned from her position in the Starkville School District.  Wilson submitted her resignation effective June 30 to Superintendent Judy Couey this morning.

“Mrs. Wilson has spent the past four years of her professional career at SHS, and I wish her the best as she pursues her future career plans,” said Couey.

Wilson’s resignation is not official until it is approved by the Starkville School District Board of Trustees.  The next board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 24.

Couey plans to begin the process of searching for a new principal for the 2009-2010 school year immediately.

Lee County Schools recognizes new NBCTs

On Thursday, January 29, the Lee County School Board recognized 12 brand-new National Board Certified Teachers. Thanks to public information officer Shey Edwards for sending the photos, as well as the complete list of NBCTs working for the district. I’ll also have a story on the Education page of Monday’s Daily Journal.

Pictured left to right: Rochelle Flatt, Carmon Horner, Courtney Vines, Ann Manley, Leslie Iverson

Pictured left to right: Lori Johnson, Marilyn Gurner, Sheryl Collins, Zellerie Cox, Susan Martin, Kay Davis

Deborah Jones, pictured at left, who wasn’t at the meeting, also is a new National Board Certified Teacher.

Lee County teachers with their National Board Certification:

Guntown Middle: ANGELA DOTY, CARMON HORNER, PENNY KELLY, LEIGH ANN NEWTON
Mooreville Elementary: FRANCIS BRATTON, KRISTIN BUTLER, TAMMY HENRY, LESLIE IVERSON, CYNTHIA L. RAY, JANE B. STANFORD, HEATHER WILLIAMS
Mooreville Middle: EMILY C. RUPERT, GLENDA SPRINGER
Mooreville High: DEBORAH JONES
Plantersville Middle: CONNIE DAVIS, JOAN STILES
Saltillo Primary: DANA BAGGETT, DAWN BLANKENSHIP, ELIZABETH BOUCHILLON, KATHERINE A.
CLARK, BEVERLY FEATHER, CINDY GOOGE, MARILYN L. GURNER, LORI JOHNSON, JUDY LOTT, SANDRA L. MAGERS, SANDRA L. SMITH, LORIE WIGGINTON, AUDREY WYLIE
Saltillo Elementary: FAYE H. BRUCE, PAULA COX, JILL DANIEL, KAY DAVIS, JUDY HARTSFIELD, CHRISTY
PHILLIPS, LEASHA SEGARS, COURTNEY VINES, KRISTEN WILLIAMS
Saltillo High: LAURA HONEYCUTT, SUSAN MARTIN, KIMBERLY L. McFARLING, JANICE  N. MITCHELL, ANGELA HOPE NICHOLS, TAMMY L. PARHAM, JENNY SIMMONS, BRENDA SPEARMAN
Shannon Primary: ANN MANLEY, VICKIE PRICE
Shannon Elementary: SHERYL COLLINS, ZELLERIE COX, MARTHA MINGA, LATONYA SLATER, KATHY WAYCASTER
Shannon Middle: NICKEDA SHELTON
Shannon High: ROCHELLE FLATT
Verona Elementary: CHERYL PENSON
District-wide: GENA YARBROUGH

THS Senior Project Culmination Day moved

From Mary Thomas:

I just wanted you to know that the date for the Senior Culmination Day at BancorpSouth had to change from May 7 to April 28 due to a mistake in events scheduling at the arena.

Read my previous Daily Journal coverage about Tupelo High School senior projects here and here.

Rankin honors January Koalaty Kids

From Tammi Coggins, Family/School Coordinator at Tupelo’s Rankin Elementary School:

Students in K-3 at Rankin Elementary School are rewarded and recognized at our monthly Koalaty Kid Celebration.  Students are chosen based on their performance of showing respect, responsibility and resourcefulness.  Koalaty Kids receive a pizza party, ribbon, button, trophy, certificate and special recognition on stage.