Guidelines for Free & Reduced Lunch Announced
Jackson, Miss. - The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) announced the United States Department of Agriculture income guidelines for free and reduced price meals served under the School Lunch & School Breakfast Programs. Families with children attending any school in the New Albany School District who are unable to pay the full price of the meals are encouraged to apply for benefits.
Meal applications and instructions for applying for meal benefits were sent home with each student during registration or on the first day of attendance. To apply for the meal benefits, each household should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies of the application are available at the administrative office of each facility.
For the school officials to determine eligibility, the household must report income information or provide a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formerly the Food Stamp Program or TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) case number. If the child receives TANF payments or is a member of a SNAP household, the parent or guardian has to provide only the name of the child, SNAP or TANF or FDPIR case number, and sign the application, in order for the child to receive free meals.
Other applicants must report household income identified by source, such as earnings, welfare and alimony received by each household member. In order for income applicants to be approved, the household must provide the following on the application: the names of all household members, each household member’s monthly income identified by source; the signature of an adult household member certifying that the information provided is correct; and the social security number of an adult who signs the application or an indication that this adult household member does not have a social security number. The information provided by the household is confidential and will be used only for purposes of determining eligibility and verifying data. The information provided may be verified at any time during the year by the school or program officials.
Households are no longer required to report increases in household income of over $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household size. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. These changes may make the children of the household eligible for reduced price or free meals. Households may apply for benefits at any time during the year as circumstances change.
In certain cases, foster children are also eligible for meal benefits. If a household has foster children living with them and wish to apply for meal benefits for them, the household should contact the school for more information.
For more information, contact Margaret Floyd, Director of Child Nutrition at 662-534-1802.
NAES AND NAHS TO HAVE NEW ADMINISTRATORS
The New Albany School Board has approved several personnel changes in the school district. Lance Evans was named Principal of New Albany High School and Jamey Wright was named Principal of New Albany Elementary School. The board approved Talina Knight to serve as a Principal Intern in the district.
Lance Evans replaces Jay Foster as Principal of NAHS. Foster recently resigned his position to become Principal of South Panola High School in Batesville. Evans has been in the district since 2006. He first served at NAHS as assistant principal for the 2006-2007 school year and has served as Principal at NAES since 2007. Prior to coming to New Albany, he served as Elementary School Principal and High School Athletic Director at Tremont School in Itawamba County. Evans began his career in education at Oxford High School where he taught social studies and coached football and powerlifting. He received his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies Education from Mississippi State University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
NAES Assistant Principal Jamey Wright, will replace Evans as Principal of New Albany Elementary School. Wright has served NAES as Assistant Principal for the past year. Before serving in an administrative capacity, Wright was an elementary school teacher at West Union Attendance Center and NAES. Wright is a graduate of Blue Mountain College with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and holds a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
Talina Knight will serve as Principal Intern at NAES for the first semester and NAHS for the second semester. Knight holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Mississippi State University, is a National Board Certified Teacher, and is currently a part of the University of Mississippi’s Principal Corps. She has taught language arts at Tupelo Middle School for the past fourteen years. Knight has also served as a statewide educational consultant for the Mississippi’s Department of Transportation’s RIDES (Roadways Into Developing Elementary Students) program.
“We are pleased to be able to fill these positions with these outstanding educators and administrators,” said Charles Garrett, Superintendent of New Albany Schools. “We are confident that the administrative changes we have made will allow our school district to continue leading the way for excellence in education.”
REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS TO NASD
Students who will be a new student to the New Albany School District for the 2010-2011 school year are encouraged to complete registration prior to the first day of school.
Students should pick up a registration packet at their respective school site and return the following documents to that school:
· Completed Registration Packet
· Withdrawal Form and transcript from previous school
· Copy of Social Security Card
· Copy of Birth Certificate
· Mississippi Immunization Form (Form 121)
· Two Proofs of Residency
One proof of residency must be a current light bill and the other may be utility bill, water bill, trash bill, rental agreement/payment receipt, mortgage document, driver’s license, or proof of insurance. All proofs must have current dates, include the student’s current physical address, and have the legal parent/guardian’s name listed.
All registration information must be complete and returned to the school office before a student can receive a schedule or teacher assignment.
For further information, please contact NAES at 534-1840; NAMS at 534-1820; or NAHS at 534-1805.
NASD Hosts Annual Administrators Retreat
Pictured above: Kelly Coltharp, Bob Rainer, and Lisa Mitchell make a presentation related to the book "Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High". Administrators read this book in preparation for the Administrators' Retreat and were assigned a particular chapter of the book to present to the entire group. Presentations included discussion, role play, PowerPoint presentations, and videos.
The New Albany School District held its Administrators’ Retreat on June 21-22 at the Magnolia Civic Center. The retreat’s theme, “Step It Up”, reflected the expectations for administrators, teachers, and students for the coming school year.
Phil Nanney, Executive Director of the Union County Development Association, welcomed the group of administrators to the Magnolia Civic Center and encouraged them to continually measure up and evaluate their performance. Nanney reminded the administrators that educators have more control of what will happen to the future of our community than any other group.
Dr. Charles Garrett, Superintendent of Schools, welcomed the administrators to the retreat and to a new school year. “I feel that our district is ready to ‘step it up’ more than any other time since I have been in New Albany,” Garrett stated. “We have the right people in the right place and a School Board that is ready to lead and support us.”
Garrett discussed some of the changes that had occurred in the district over the past year and how these were specific examples of how the district was “Stepping It Up!” The required summer reading assignments for grades 3-12 is a huge step in increasing awareness for the importance of reading in our school district. The revised exam exemption policy sends a great message to students that academics are important and we want them to be ready for comprehensive tests and college. A longer school day will provide additional minutes in the day for accelerated reading, health education, tutoring, and remediation.
Jackie Ford, Assistant Superintendent, gave an overview of the new on-line teacher certification renewal process offered through the Mississippi Department of Education. Lecia Stubblefield, Director of Curriculum, Federal Programs, and Transportation, discussed the Federal Programs from which the district was receiving funds including Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV, and the Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant. She also discussed the possibility of receiving funds from the Even Start and 21st Century Grants.
During the afternoon session on June 21, each administrator worked and gave a fifteen-minute presentation about their specific area of responsibility and the specific goals they would be working toward in the coming school year.
A book entitled Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High was assigned to the group of administrators in early June. Their assignment included reading the book and each administrator was asked to give a presentation on a specific chapter. These presentations included PowerPoint presentations, videos, role-play, and discussions.
“The New Albany School District Administrators’ Retreat provided us uninterrupted time to discuss the district’s goals and how everyone is revenant in meeting those goals,” said Kelly Coltharp, Director of Special Services. “The best part about the time together was seeing everyone dedicated to making New Albany Schools the best district in the state, no matter what obstacles the future holds. We have a group of creative, loyal, hardworking, and intelligent people who want the best for New Albany's children and families and I am thrilled to be a part of this excelling group.”
Those attending the Administrators’ Retreat were: Dr. Charles Garrett, Superintendent; Jackie Ford, Assistant Superintendent; Lecia Stubblefield, Director of Curriculum, Federal Programs, & Transportation; Jamey Wright, NAES Principal; Kristen Richey, NAES Assistant Principal; Lisa Mitchell, NAMS Principal; Bob Rainer, NAMS Assistant Principal; Lance Evans, NAHS Principal; John Ferrell, NAHS Assistant Principal; Earl Richard, NAHS Assistant Principal; Minerva Graham, Director of NASTUC; Kelly Coltharp, Director of Special Services; Larry Pannell, Assistant Director of Transportation; Melanie Shannon, Media Relations; Shane Sanderson, Athletic Director; Terry Stidham, Director of Maintenance; Margaret Floyd, Director of Child Nutrition; Suzanne Hill, Business Manager; Les Sumner, Network Administrator; Heather Linville, Administrator Intern; and Talina Knight, Administrator Intern.
Pictured below: Jackie Ford, Assistant Superintendent; Heather Linville; Dr. Charles Garrett, Superintendent; and Talina Knight. Linville and Knight are associated with the University of Mississippi's Principal Corp and will serve as Principal Interns this school year. Knight will be serving at NAES first semester and NAHS second semester. Linville will be serving at NAES second semester. Knight and Linville attended the first day's session of the Administrators' Retreat.
N.A. Students: Required Summer Reading Assignment Due August 11
Students in grades 3-12 in the New Albany School District have summer reading requirements that are due on the second day of school. Assignments were explained and reading packets were issued to students before school dismissed for the summer.
Letters have been mailed to parents of New Albany Middle School and New Albany High School students explaining the summer reading program and requirements. A list of reading requirements and assignments have been posted on the school district’s website since May.
Books should be available at the local public library and area bookstores. In addition, books that are selections for students at New Albany Middle School can be purchased at the school.
Summer reading assignments are available on the school’s website at www.newalbanyschools.us or may be picked up at your child’s school. For more information, call New Albany Elementary School at 534-1840, New Albany Middle School at 534-1820, or New Albany High School at 534-1805.
Creekmore Receives Taylor Moore Scholarship at NAHS
Callie Creekmore was awarded the Taylor Moore Memorial Scholarship at the New Albany High School graduation ceremony on May 28, 2010. The $5000 competitive scholarship is given each year to a deserving NAHS student who plans to attend college in Mississippi. The scholarship selection process includes review of applicants’ honors and essays by a selection committee followed by interviews of the top five applicants.
Callie is the daughter of Sam and Warner Creekmore. She is a member of First United Methodist Church where she is an active member of the youth choir and the youth group. Callie plans to attend Millsaps College in the fall to major in Biology.
An honor graduate, Creekmore was selected to the 2010 Hall of Fame. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Anchor Club, Spanish Club, and Students Against Destructive Decisions.
During her senior year, Creekmore served as Student Body President, received the DAR Good Citizen Award, and was a Homecoming Maid. She was also on the journalism staff where she served as editor of videos.
A three-sport athlete, Creekmore lettered in tennis, soccer, and cross-country. She is a four-time Scholar Athlete Award recipient. She received the prestigious Bulldog Award at the Athletic Banquet held in May.
During the spring semester, she received several awards including the MSPA Broadcast Award, Oral & Electronic Communications Subject Area Award, Journalism Leadership Broadcast Award, ACT Award, Principal’s Leadership Award, and Millsaps College Scholarship.
The Taylor Moore Scholarship was established by Bobby and Minerva Moore in memory of their son who died in 2000. Taylor Moore was a 1988 honor graduate of W.P. Daniel High School. He was Mr. DHS, Most Popular, Most Dignified, and Class Favorite and was active in student government. Moore played first base for the DHS baseball team, and received numerous academic honors. He went on to receive his bachelors and masters degrees in business administration from Mississippi State University.
The scholarship established in his memory has been awarded for six years to outstanding graduates of New Albany High School. Past recipients of the Taylor Moore Scholarship are Stacy Stepp, Darden Holmes, Kyle Kimbrough, Ivy Lauren Williams, and Kyle Hickey.
Where Are They Now? Jon Mark Nail, Award Winning Writer/Director, Regent University
Pictured above: Jon Mark Nail, a New Albany native, is an award winning film student at Regent University.
Jon Mark Nail, a 2004 graduate of New Albany High School, is currently attending Graduate School at Regent University in Virginia where he is pursuing a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Directing. He is the son of Mark and Carol Anne Parks Nail.
Nail graduated from Delta State University in 2008 with a degree in Criminal Justice and took some film classes as a student there. One of the films he wrote was entered into the Delta International Film Festival. Although that particular film did not win any awards, the excitement and encouragement he received during the festival determined his future of pursuing an advanced degree in film.
He will graduate from Regent University in 2011 with a Masters of Fine Arts in Directing. Nail has written and directed four films during his time at Regent, three of which have received awards.
His first film, The Gravedigger, won two awards: “Best Redemptive Film” at the Regent MFA Showcase and a Gold Remi at Worldfest Houston. “The faculty at Regent decided to submit The Gravedigger to Worldfest Houston, which is a film festival that takes place in Houston, Texas,” explained Nail. “My first film made it to Houston, won a Gold Remi, and touched people. To say it is an honor doesn't begin to explain what I felt then.”
Nail’s third film, Sad Sarajevo, was awarded “Third Best Film” at the Otis Film Festival. His most recent film, The Walk, won an “Excellence in Writing” award at Regent University’s Film School Showcase. The Showcase featured 15 films from the students at Regent University.
“All four films that I have made are set in the Deep South and have a distinct Southern voice,” he explained. “My hope is that I can continue telling stories set in the Deep South as I feel that many films set here seem to enjoy exaggerating a negative view of Southern culture and our way of life.”
Nail gives much credit to the English Department for his success. He is especially grateful to Joan Smith who taught him a “Mississippi Writers” course while he was a student at NAHS. “Mrs. Smith gave me the tools and encouragement to do what I am doing now,” he said. “She always reminded me to write what I know, think, and feel. That is a lesson I have taken with me through college.”
Below: Jon Mark Nail (right) works to produce an award winning film at Regent University.
New Albany Schools and UCDA to Establish Mary V. Golding Math Chair
The New Albany School District (NASD) in partnership with the Union County Development Association (UCDA) has announced the creation of the Mary V. Golding Math Chair at New Albany High School (NAHS). Upon appointment, this outstanding math teacher will teach a variety of math classes, serve as the chairperson of the math department at NAHS and as lead teacher in the department. UCDA and former students of Mrs. Golding will supplement the selected chairperson’s yearly salary in the amount of $10,000 for three years.
The late Mary V. Golding invested her entire career teaching high school mathematics in New Albany and preparing her students to use math in higher education and in their careers. She has long been respected by her students as an outstanding mathematics teacher.
“One of the main purposes of establishing the Mary V. Golding Math Chairperson is to insure that the math programs and instruction are staying current by attending workshops and national conferences,” said Lance Evans, Principal of NAHS. “Our goal is to continue leading the way for excellence in education and be among the top mathematics departments in the state.” Evans added that the Chairperson will work with the department to improve mathematics scores on the ACT and subject area tests.
The Chairperson will work with administration during the summer to help plan and prepare for the coming year. In addition, the Chairperson will give detailed progress reports regarding student data to school administration during the school year.
Other duties of the Chairperson includes planning professional development for mathematics teachers, researching math instruction at all levels, and assisting in progress monitoring of all math students. The Chairperson will also observe other mathematics teachers and assist administration in providing feedback to improve specific teach skills.
Because of the high expectations of this position and added responsibilities to their regular teaching duties, a $10,000 supplement will be paid to the Chairperson. This money will be funded by former students of Golding and be distributed through UCDA.
“The establishment of the Mary V. Golding Chairperson for Mathematics at New Albany High School is the beginning of a new wave of community involvement in and support for our schools in New Albany,” said Phil Nanney, Executive Director of UCDA. “This effort will place additional academic tools in the hands of our faculty so that they will be able to provide our students the best mathematics education possible.”
Dr. Charles Garrett, Superintendent of New Albany Schools, says the district has currently opened this position up to math teachers within the district to see if there is interest. The NASD will also advertise the position and hopes to have the Chairperson in place before the start of school in August.
Frog-A-Nanny 5K Race Results
1 Rutledge McMillin 19:18
2 Dan Bailey 19:58
3 Joshua Bland 20:47
4 Jamey Wright 21:13
5 H.F. Mason 21:52
6 Tristin Kitchens 22:26
7 David Cates 22:27
8 J. Pullman 22:38
9 Larry Jackson 22:39
10 Mike Gunn 22:45
11 Roger McMillin 23:37
12 Graham Thompson 24:19
13 Scott Orman 24:30
14 Charles Chittom 24:49
15 Ginger Adair 25:04
16 Zoltan Stefkl 25:35
17 Kathy Terrell 25:36
18 Reese Neely 25:43
19 Darla Grisham 26:05
20 Mandi McQuary 26:53
21 Rebekah Wiseman 26:58
22 Chris Aldridge 27:24
23 Jeremy Owens 27:35
24 Kent Reece 27:40
25 Angela Orman 28:15
26 Stefenie Hodges 28:41
27 Mary Margarett King 29:21
28 Tonya Dunlap 29:26
29 Hannah Duley 29:37
30 Emily Roberts 29:47
31 Christy Todd 29:47
32 Will Duley 32:13
33 Lauren Steele 32:14
34 Beth Burnett 32:20
35 Leslie Steele 32:44
36 David Hudson 32:47
37 Loretta Reece 32:48
38 Jon Conway 33:49
39 Isaiah Ball 33:57
40 Johnathon Paganelli 34:00
41 Zack Ball 34:00
42 Matthew, Jr 34:07
43 Matt Harris 34:11
44 Macy Kirk 35:13
45 Abbey Robbins 35:14
46 Andreka Jones 36:10
47 Lauren Dunlap 36:10
48 Emily Womack 38:52
49 Jeff Skinner 39:07
50 Wanda Vancil 39:08
51 Peggy Andrews 39:15
52 Laura Fennell 42:00
53 Lori Henson 42:00
55 Angela Orsbona 42:27
56 Kaitlyn Cochran 42:52
57 Katie Luna 42:55
58 Kellie Skinner 42:55
59 Teresa Dunlap 43:07
60 Holly Kirk 43:54
61 Rose Weeden 43:55
62 Josh Duley 44:27
63 Mitchell Lyons 50:21
64 Brenda Johnson 50:48
Where Are They Now? Ed Maxwell, Triathlete
Pictured above: Ed Maxwell celebrates as he finished the Ironman New Orleans with a time of 5:57:14.
Ed Maxwell, a 2005 graduate of New Albany High School, recently accomplished a health and fitness goal that he set for himself last year. Maxwell competed in the Ochsner Ironman New Orleans 70.3 in April.
The Ochsner Ironman consisted of a 1.2 mile swim in Lake Pontchartrain, a 56 mile bike, and 13.1 mile run through the city of New Orleans. There were over 2,300 competitors in the event and Maxwell finished 32nd in his age group. His final time was 5:57:14.
Maxwell began training for this event last September by mainly swimming and biking. His doctor advised against any running until November because of a head injury he received last summer.
His weekly workouts began at 5-6 hours per week and increased to fourteen hours a week during his twenty-week workout program. During the last week of his workout program, Maxwell was doing 60 mile bike rides and 10 mile runs.
Maxwell had his bike mounted to an indoor trainer so he could train indoors from November until March. His training for swimming was at the Sanderson Center’s Olympic size pool on the campus of Mississippi State University.
“There was a lot more science to the training and race than I initially thought,” explained Maxwell. “It was a lot of interval training at certain heart rate zones and nutrition plays a key part in it as far as racing goes.”
During the race Maxwell said he tried to take in about 200-300 calories per hour through gels and enhanced sports drinks. “After the race was complete, the heart rate monitor I was wearing showed that I burned 5,450 calories, so replenishing that was key during the race.”
He played soccer and football while he was a student at New Albany High School. He said he always conditioned to be in shape during soccer and football season. He continued “staying in shape” throughout college, but he was not in any kind of endurance shape.
Troy Trout, who coached Ed high school soccer, remembers him as a natural competitor on the soccer field and an athlete who was constantly interested in physical fitness. “Ed is such a wonderful example of New Albany School District’s goal to make physical fitness a lifetime goal,” said Trout, who also serves on the SHAPE Up! Grant’s Advisory Council.
Maxwell’s goal is to eventually complete a full Ironman which is a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run by late 2011. He will complete more half Ironmans and marathons to train for this.
Ed is the son of Allen and Margaret Maxwell. He received a Bachelor of Accountancy from Mississippi State University in 2009 and will complete a Masters in Taxation Degree this summer.
Pictured below: Maxwell completed a 56 mile bike ride during the triathlon.
Twitter Feed
- naschoolupdates: Progress Reports will be issued Friday, September 10 rather than today. September 9, 2010
- naschoolupdates: New Albany wins 14 - 7 ove Corinth next week at Baldwyn. September 3, 2010
- naschoolupdates: Corinth score to close to within 7. New Albany 14 - Corinth 7 September 3, 2010
- naschoolupdates: Brown TD run makes it 14 - 0 New Albany September 3, 2010
- naschoolupdates: At the half New Albany 7 Corinth 0 September 3, 2010
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