NAES Pre-K Students Enjoy Garden Party
Pictured: AEST student Holt Garrett helps PreK students in potting a plant. The potting activity was funded by the New Albany Garden Club as part of their Young Gardeners project.
The New Albany High School Career & Technical Department hosted “A Garden Party” for New Albany Elementary School Pre-K students on Thursday, May 2. Seven Career & Technical classes at NAHS participated in the event by preparing and conducting activities for the Pre-K students. The day of events was planned as a culminating activity for the Pre-K students who had recently been studying farms, gardens, and plants.
Pre-K students rotated through six stations during the morning. Mrs. Anita Alef and the Culinary Arts students prepared a tasting buffet that included some of the fruits and vegetables the students had recently studied. Mr. Bert Anderson and the AEST (Agriculture, Environment, Science, & Technology) classes assisted students in planting flowers in pots and showed the children their class pets.
Pictured: Business Fundamentals Instructor Alison Moore assist a PreK student in completing an interactive gardening activity on the Smartboard.
Mrs. April Voyles and the Health Science classes demonstrated proper handwashing techniques, discussed the importance of good nutrition, and introduced PreK students to the Organ Wise Dolls. Mrs. Alison Moore and her Business Fundamentals students assisted the children in playing interactive garden games on the SmartBoard and completing coloring activities on the computer. Mrs. Nannette Ballard and her Family Sciences students led the students in creating frog crafts and frog paintings to celebrate Frog-A-Nanny. Ms. Latrina Bynum and her Introduction to Engineering students assisted the students in painting glass water bulbs to be used as a garden decoration, as well as demonstrated robots that the students had built in class.
The Early Childhood classes, under the instruction of Kimberly Langley, assisted in the event by preparing name tags, painting flower pots, and serving as group leaders.
“It was a wonderful opportunity for our career and technical students to transfer the information they have learned in their classes this year to the Pre-K students,” said Langley. “We are always excited to partner with NAES to provide more learning opportunities for all of our students.”
“We are extremely excited to have been a part of such a fun, exciting day where our students learned more about gardening, nutrition, health, and technology,” said Glen Reeder, Director of Pre-K.
“A Garden Party” was funded in part by the New Albany Garden Club. The PreK students are participants in the Ecotots Young Gardeners Project which is supported by the New Albany Garden Club.
NAHS School News
Shaun Vaughn, NAHS School Reporter
Hello New Albany. Welcome to the latest installment of the New Albany High School news. As the year approaches its end, sports seasons are winding down as well. New Albany High School is happy to have three teams currently in the state playoffs. The girls golf team will be playing for a state championship. The Tennis team will be playing in the state championship this week in Jackson beginning on Thursday. They will face off against St. Stanislaus. The baseball team advanced to the second round after beating Pontotoc 2-0 in a best of three series. Their next opponent will be Kosciusko. The series will be played Thursday at Kosciusko, Friday at home, and Saturday at Kosciusko if necessary.
Students will be out of school Friday for a staff development day. The prom will be this Saturday in Memphis at the Memphis Zoo under the China Pavilion. Students are encouraged to be at the high school by five o’clock to load the charter buses. Frog-a-Nanny will begin Thursday with the parade followed by the game on Friday.
Be sure to like us on facebook at “In the Dawghouse.” Also listen to our weekly radio show on WNAU Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The show contains news, interviews with teachers, students, and other members of the community. Have a good day New Albany.
EXCELEBRATION Planned for New Albany/Union County
Students in Kimberly Langley's Early Childhood II class at New Albany High School make preparations for the craft booth that will be available to children at the EXCELEBRATION.
Looking for a free family event in town this weekend? The New Albany/Union County EXCEL By 5 Coalition will be sponsoring a circus-themed, family friendly event on Saturday, April 27 at the Park Along the River from 11 am – 1 pm.
The event is being held to celebrate New Albany/Union County’s attainment as a CERTIFIED EXCEL By 5 community. EXCEL By 5 is an innovative early childhood community certification process focusing on our community’s young children. It emphasizes the important roles parents and early childhood educators play in the lives of children during their most formative years – birth to age 5.
At the EXCELEBRATION CIRCUS, children can have fun at the craft station decorating clowns, participating in a coloring contest, and playing carnival games. Special storytelling sessions will be offered by Glen Reeder, Ron Price, Clint Reid, and Kristen Richey, who are all teachers and administrators in the New Albany & Union County School Districts.
Parents will be able to visit information booths relating to sun safety, food safety, home safety, water safety, first aid, and the EXCEL By 5 Family Resource Center. Parents will be given a punch card, and after visiting each information booth, can receive free t-shirts for their children, while supplies last.
Families can enjoy a picnic lunch of hot dogs, snack cakes, and water while listening to the music of “Mississippi Moon”, a local band that plays country and rock music.
Come celebrate with us! New Albany-Union County is officially a CERTIFIED EXCEL By 5 Community. This event is free to the community and is sponsored by the New Albany/Union County EXCEL By 5 Coalition.
New Haven Clients Learn About Wellness Equipment at NAES
New Haven clients enjoy warming up with "AJ" prior to working out on wellness machines.
The clients of New Haven Center received a special treat at New Albany Elementary School (NAES) on Monday, April 15 thanks in part to a “Healthy Lifestyles: Making Your Community Healthy” Shared Use Agreement Mini-Grant funded by the Mississippi State Department of Health-Bureau of Community & School Health. NAES and New Haven Center are currently community partners in a Shared Use Agreement.
Lori Beth Elder demonstrates the safe and proper way to work out on an elliptical.
Anthony “AJ” Johnson, a Certified Exercise Specialist and owner of One Body by AJ, gave a tour of the Staff Wellness Center at NAES, discussed safety tips for working out on machines, and demonstrated proper tips for using wellness equipment. Johnson also showed students proper ways to stretch and warm up prior to working out.
Clients enjoyed working with Johnson to learn the proper use of treadmills, exercise bikes, ellipticals, and bowflex machines. After Johnson’s tour and demonstrations, clients were given time to choose a wellness machine and show off what they had learned.
“We have been fortunate to receive many healthy schools grants over the past five years and are pleased with the progress our school has made in the areas of health and wellness,” said Tammie Reeder, Health Services Coordinator for New Albany School District. “This particular grant has allowed us to reach out to community groups and share our facilities and resources.”
“We are especially excited about the creation of this partnership with New Haven because many of their clients were once students in our school district,” said Jackie Ford, Superintendent. “Allowing access to our physical education facilities and resources will improve the health and wellness of the clients of New Haven.”
Clients from New Haven have been utilizing the NAES Physical Education Building on a weekly basis to participate in physical fitness activities such as basketball and walking since February as result of this Shared Use Agreement. They will continue to be introduced to new physical education equipment and supplies for the remainder of the school year.
A group of New Haven clients challenged "AJ" to a push-up contest.
Male Named STAR Student at NAHS
STAR Student Joseph Male with STAR Teacher Mary Margarett King
Joseph Male has been named as a STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) Student for the 2012-2013 school year by the Mississippi Economic Council’s M. B. Swayze Educational Foundation, sponsor of the STAR program.
The New Albany High School senior was honored during the annual Education Celebration on April 11 at the Jackson Convention Center in downtown Jackson. This prestigious event was co-sponsored by Entergy Mississippi, AT&T, Mississippi Power Company, BancorpSouth, Trustmark National Bank, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, and Wal-Mart.
Additionally, on January 10, 2013, Mississippi State University President Dr. Mark E. Keenum announced a new MSU Scholarship program with the STAR program. Mississippi State will offer a scholarship worth $6,000 to every STAR student in Mississippi.
STAR Students are selected on the basis of academic excellence. “Both American College Test (ACT) scores and scholastic averages are compared to determine the school’s STAR Student,” explained Vickie Powell of Jackson, Vice President, Foundation Programs. “The STAR program encourages and promotes academic achievement among Mississippi’s high school seniors,” she said.
Male is the son of Barry and Sara Male. He is a member of the Science National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Speech & Debate Club, and National Honor Society. Male is a National Merit Finalist and received Outstanding Student during his 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years. Male plans to attend Mississippi State University in the fall.
Each STAR Student is asked to designate a STAR Teacher, the classroom teacher who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic achievement. Male chose Mary Margarett King as his STAR teacher.
King earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications and a Master of Arts Degree in English from the University of North Alabama. She is National Board Certified, has eight years of teaching experience, and has been selected as STAR Teacher three times.
NAHS School News
Shaun Vaughn, NAHS School Reporter
Hello New Albany citizens. Tons of exciting things are happening at New Albany High School. O.J. Hardin and Jerrell Howell won first place in dead lift and squat, respectively, at the state powerlifting competition. The team placed 4th overall in the state.
The tennis team begins their playoff journey Tuesday in New Albany. Individuals going to state: Hannah Anderson and Olivia Dunnam; girls doubles 1, Christopher and Christain Scott; boys double 1, Meghan Van and Katie Davis; girls doubles 2, Mark Robbins; boys singles, Walter Smith and Darby Mills; mixed doubles.
The baseball team went 1-1 this weekend, winning against Itawamba 5-3 in an extra inning and dropping one against Tupelo 3-2.
Jasmine Spears was selected female basketball player of the year by the Tupelo Daily Journal. Eric Chaney also made second-team North Mississippi.
New Albany High School will host a talent show on May 15th during school in the New Albany High School auditorium. Seniors interested in performing in the talent show as part of a senior band need to see Contessa Jones. Any other students who would like to perform should see Mrs. Ballard or Mrs. Biffle.
Be sure to like us on facebook at “In the Dawghouse” and also listen to our weekly radio show on 1470 WNAU. If you miss the show you can listen to this week’s show and past shows on www.nahighschool.com.
NAHS School News
Shaun Vaughn, NAHS School Reporter
Hello New Albany. Welcome to another installment of the New Albany High School news. The Krewe of Grenouilles breakfast will be held Tuesday, April 23 at 7:15 in the High School Cafeteria. The breakfast is honoring students who help with special needs. The students are Joshanae Tucker, Holley Berryman, Austin Howard, Ali Sizemore, Darby Mills, Jonah Zahler, Lenzi Sanderson, Shannon Goode, Alexis Lipsey, Callie Roaten, Ashley Juarez, Benard Spight, Larenz Jones, Trevor Cobb, Katelyn Watson, Kateland Wade, Allie Owen, Anna Frances Stroud, and Asiana Judon. Also, one teacher, Mrs. Nannette Ballard, was nominated to come to the breakfast. This is the first time a teacher has been nominated.
Baseball was victorious against Ripley on Friday night and will take on Lewisburg Tuesday at home. They will also go on the road to play Lewisburg on Friday. Jonah Zahler, senoir right fielder, says the reasons he most looks forward to playing Lewisburg are “because it rekindles a rivalry and he looks forward to playing an old teammate.”
This week students will be Case 21 testing in preparation for the state test in May. The state test include Algebra, Biology, English, and US History.
With six weeks remaining in the school year, students have already begun prepping for the summer. Ken Phillips, Junior at NAHS, has “fishing and coonhunting” in his summer agenda. Some students like freshman Hunter Wade, are venturing out this summer. Wade says, he plans on “going to Georgia for work.” Others like myself are going to use the summer for a time of relaxation and reflecting.
Be sure to like us on facebook at “In the Dawghouse” and also listen to our weekly radio show on 1470 WNAU. If you miss the show you can listen to this week’s show and past shows on www.nahighschool.com.
Immunization Requirement For 7th Grade Entry in 2013-2014 School Year
The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) requires the Tdap vaccination for all students entering 7th grade each fall. This requirement began during the 2012-2013 school year.
The Tdap vaccine (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) had previously been a recommended vaccination for this age group since 2006. However at this time Mississippi, along with 41 other states require it.
Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, has increased in frequency across the country in recent years, as protection from the childhood pertussis vaccine has become weaker over time in the adolescent population.
”By vaccinating our adolescents, we can decrease illness in this group and reduce exposure and illness in infants,” said State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier. “Pertussis can be particularly deadly for newborns, and it is essential to limit their exposure to the disease since they are too young to receive a vaccine against it.”
Additional recommended vaccinations for preteens include those against meningococcal disease, human papillomavirus (HPV), and a second dose of varicella (chicken pox) vaccine for those who have not received one at an earlier age.
“We still strongly recommend the Tdap vaccine for all adolescents, however it is only required for those entering seventh grade,” said Dr. Currier.
“I would encourage the parents of incoming seventh graders to adhere to this law to avoid delays in school registration this fall,” said Jackie Ford, Superintendent of New Albany Schools.
The required Tdap vaccination and other recommended vaccinations are available at the health department, clinics, and through all Vaccines for Children (VFC) providers.
To help parents comply more easily with the vaccine requirement, the Union County Health Department will be giving FREE vaccines for children 18 years of age and under during the week of April 22-26. If the child’s immunizations are not already entered into the health department data base, parents will need to provide a copy of the current shot record.
After the required Tdap is given, parents will be given a new Immunization Form 121 that is marked “Complete for School”. This new updated form must be on file at the school before your child can attend 7th grade in fall 2013. To avoid a rush for parents at the end of the summer, it is strongly encouraged that the updated Immunization Form 121 be provided to the school before the close of this school year in May.
The Union County Health Department’s special immunization hours for the free immunization week (April 22-26) are 8:00am – 10:30am, 1:00pm – 3:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.
NAMS Seventh Grade Students Complete “WAIT Training” Abstinence Only Course
Tammie Reeder, Health Services Coordinator for New Albany Schools and an abstinence only education instructor, presents a "WAIT Training" lesson to a group of seventh grade boys.
The New Albany School District adopted an abstinence-only education curriculum in May 2012 to comply with the requirements of the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). However, the New Albany Schools already have a well-established program and method of teaching in place.
For the past fifteen years, all seventh grade students at New Albany Middle School (NAMS) have had the opportunity to participate in the annual abstinence education course in a safe, positive setting. Boys and girls are separated during the week-long course and are taught by school nurses in the district.
The abstinence-only program at NAMS has grown over the years and experienced minimal changes. The program started as a partnership between the school and Junior Auxiliary of New Albany and has evolved into the school district taking over the project and receiving funding from various grants and local funds. “Sex Respect” is the curriculum that has been utilized until this year when a change was made to the “WAIT Training” program, one of the MDE approved curriculums for an abstinence-only program.
The course is not required but is strongly encouraged and only taught with parental permission. The course focuses on refraining from sexual contact until marriage, and birth control is not taught as an option. Students also learn of the many risks associated with premarital sex including the physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual effects. Abstinence before marriage is the only absolute way to avoid these risks.
“Over the years, I have received lots of positive feedback from the parents of students who have taken the class, as well as the students as they have gotten older,” said Tammie Reeder, Health Services Coordinator for New Albany Schools and one of the instructors of the abstinence only program. Jill Robbins, high school nurse, is also an instructor. Reeder added that it is wonderful that New Albany Schools had a program in place long before mandates came from the state department of education.
Sports Physical Screening Event Scheduled for May 2
School personnel from the New Albany and Union County School Districts are once again working with local physicians, physical and occupational therapists, and athletic trainers to make preparations for the upcoming pre-participation sports physical screening event to be held on Thursday, May 2nd. For the sixth consecutive year, the physicians of Creekmore Clinic will allow the use of their office for this event. However, Creekmore Clinic is not responsible for required follow-ups.
The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) requires all students who will participate in any MHSAA sanctioned event to have a pre-participation physical assessment. This includes all students in grades 7-12 who will participate in any sport, including cheerleading, band, and chorus. This evaluation must take place every year in which a child participates in an activity.
We will continue to require that students entering the 9th grade (current 8th graders) be seen by their personal physician for their physical evaluation in their physician’s office and not during the screening event. The MHSAA physical form for 2013-2014 9th grade students will be given to all current 8th graders and will also be available in all local physician/nurse practitioner offices. School officials and health care professionals encourage all parents with a child entering the 9th grade for the 2013-2014 school year to call and schedule their child for a wellness exam with his or her personal physician as soon as possible. All completed physical forms should be turned in at the school before the end of this school year in order for the students to begin practices as scheduled.
“We feel that the past several years’ physical screening events have been very successful for students, parents, and schools and we will continue with the same process this year,” stated Dr. Brad Scott.
All students who plan to participate in an MHSAA sanctioned activity will soon be receiving a copy of a personal medical history form that MUST be completed, signed, and returned to the child’s school prior to May 2nd. Each school will determine when these forms are due. If a child does not have his or her form completed and signed by a parent, he/she will not be eligible to participate in the health-screening event.
School administrators appreciate the continued community support for extracurricular activities in the schools. “Students who participate in these activities generally perform better in the classroom, have fewer discipline issues, and are less likely to drop out of school,” according to Jackie Ford, Superintendent of New Albany Schools.
“Our schools are fortunate to be a part of a community where physicians, healthcare professionals, and so many others are willing to donate their time so that our students are eligible to participate in extracurricular activities” said Tammie Reeder, Health Services Coordinator for New Albany Schools.
Any parent with questions about this year’s pre-participation screening should contact the child’s school.
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- NAES Pre-K Students Enjoy Garden Party
- NAHS School News
- EXCELEBRATION Planned for New Albany/Union County
- New Haven Clients Learn About Wellness Equipment at NAES
- Male Named STAR Student at NAHS