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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.