Pictured above:  Second grade teacher Sarah Garrett describes different tropical fruits to her students Isaac Smith (left) and Robert Mason (right).

Second grade students at New Albany Elementary School received a tasty treat on September 3 when they participated in a Tropical Tasting Party.  Students were able to sample fruits and nuts that are grown in tropical regions. 

After tasting pineapple, mango, bananas, kiwi, and macadamia nuts, the students applied it to their five senses by describing how that specific fruit or nut looked, sounded, felt, tasted, and smelled.  “Banana was my favorite fruit because I like how it is sweet and soft,” said Robert Mason.  Bella Waters said, “My favorite fruit was pineapple because it is so juicy and sweet.”  Mason and Waters are students in Sarah Garrett’s second grade class.

The 2nd graders have been reading Luka’s Quilt, a story about a girl living in Hawaii who receives a quilt from her grandmother.   During the week, the students brought quilts from home to show and created their own quilt squares from construction paper.  In addition, students learned about volcanoes and other aspects of Hawaii’s geography. 

“What a wonderful experience for our students to be able to be introduced to a variety of healthy fruits as a part of their curriculum,” said Tammie Reeder, School Health Coordinator.  “We are fortunate to be in a school where teachers partner with our Child Nutrition Department to create a memorable learning experience.”

Pictured below:  Second grade students Maggie Scott, Jaime Ramirez, and Chloe Hill have fun during the Tropical Tasting Party.

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.

Pictured above:  NAES 4th Graders Hannah Azlin, Abby Prather, and Santiago Aguirre enjoy lunch.  NAES recently received the HealthierUS School Challenge Silver Award.

When it comes to meeting the strict criteria for awards in the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) HealthierUS School Challenge, nineteen Mississippi schools have scored at the top of the class.  New Albany Elementary School (NAES) is among the top schools in the state that is excelling at creating healthier environments for students.  NAES received the HealthierUS School Challenge Silver Award.

In February 2010, when the HealthierUS School Challenge became part of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign, USDA set an ambitious goal of 1250 schools nationwide by June 2011.  “We are very proud that so many of our schools have achieved excellence in both nutrition and physical activity,” says Shane McNeill, Director, Office of Healthy Schools, Mississippi Department of Education.  “Nineteen schools from sixteen different districts have already received Gold, Silver, or Bronze awards and twenty-five additional schools currently have applications in the review process. This is a prestigious honor, since only 790 schools in 32 states have met the national criteria thus far.”

According to Amy Olson, MS, RD (Registered Dietitian), Director of Training for Child Nutrition Programs in the Office of Healthy Schools, qualifying for a HealthierUS School Challenge award shows a strong commitment to serve healthful food in the cafeteria and throughout the campus, while enhancing the role of both nutrition and physical education in the classroom. “These awards demonstrate that our schools have made sustainable changes to ensure that Mississippi students are fit, well-nourished, and ready to succeed academically. Submitting one of these applications requires a team of administrators, physical education (PE) teachers, child nutrition staff, and others involved in school wellness,” notes Olson. “It’s a great way to get everyone on board to promote the connections between overall children’s health and their academic success.”

Thanks to a bill passed last spring in the state Legislature, Mississippi schools also receive a significant financial boost for winning a HealthierUS School Challenge award. With a combination of USDA and state funding from House Bill 1078, incentives for the four exceptional performance awards are $2,000 for Bronze, $4,000 for Silver, $6,000 for Gold, and $8,000 Gold of Distinction.

“These incentives are a positive way to recognize Mississippi schools that implement programs to help improve eating habits, increase activity levels, and reduce childhood obesity,” explains Shane McNeill. “Schools can then use the additional funding to make further enhancements in nutrition and physical activity programs for their students.”

Pictured above:  Felicia McGaha Dunn is inducted as a CPA into the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy this past spring.

Felicia McGaha Dunn, a 1998 graduate of New Albany High School, is an accountant with the Georgia-Pacific Corporation.  She serves as a Senior Accountant in the Corporate Accounting Group and works at the headquarters office in Atlanta, Georgia.

Her job responsibilities include handling the accounting for most corporate inter-company debt, the legal entity accounting for several foreign and domestic corporate entities, and also has responsibilities centered around fixed assets.

Dunn graduated summa cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting.  In April of this year, she was inducted as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) into the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy.

It was in high school that Felicia decided on accounting as a career.  “I took an accounting course under Mrs. Gloria Cooper in high school and fell completely in love with it,” she said.  “I was determined that one day I would be a CPA.”

Dunn said that her aunt (Alicia Robinson) and her parents have been extremely instrumental in her life as they expressed the importance of education and career and exemplified it through their own personal successes.  Robinson, who teaches at NAHS, taught Felicia and served as her Speech & Debate coach.

She is the daughter of Dennis & Brenda McGaha of New Albany.   Felicia is married to Durran Dunn, who is also a CPA as well as a Certified Internal Auditor.  They have one child Christopher Berry and are expecting their second child.  

Pictured below:  Felicia McGaha Dunn with her family.

Pictured above:  NAHS Journalism teacher Lee Ann Thompson and journalism students assist NAMS teachers in creating their health video.

Educators at New Albany Middle School (NAMS) understand the close relationship between student health and academic achievement.  That is why NAMS teachers spent several days this past summer developing health education videos to teach students important skills for staying safe and healthy.  

The teacher-created videos are based on both the Planet Health Curriculum and the Health Education Curriculum that was developed by Dr. Sean King of Union University.  Dr. King served as the Curriculum Specialist for the Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant during the 2009-2010 school year. 

The curriculum and videos were developed to help classroom teachers meet the requirements of the 2007 Healthy Students Act, which include 45 minutes of health education per week in grade K-8.  

According to NAMS School Nurse Jessica Gray, health education for NAMS students will consist of using teacher made video, purchased videos, and guest speakers to help guide them in developing the knowledge and skills necessary to enjoy a safe and active lifestyle.  Gray added that she plans to give daily health tips during the morning announcements and organize health education lessons twice a week around the following monthly themes:
· August- “Health Education & Nutrition”
· September – “Let’s Get Moving”
· October – “Drug Awareness”
· November – “Smoke Out”
· December – “Keep It Clean & Healthy”
· January – “Goal Setting, Decision Making, & Communication”
· February – “Health Hearts & Safety/First Aid”
· March – “Mental Health, Self Esteem, & Eating Healthy”
· April – “Violence, Peer Pressure, & Bulling”
· May – “Summer Safety”

“We want all our students to be fit, healthy, and ready to succeed,” says NAMS Principal Lisa Mitchell. “The teacher made videos will be an excellent tool for our students.” 

Lecia Stubblefield, Director of Carol M. White Physical Education Grant said that she is pleased with the quality of the videos that the teachers at NAMS developed over the summer and hopes to present the idea of using teacher made health videos at education conferences in the future.  She added that teachers were trained to use Flip cameras, Apple computers, and the iMovie  program to develop their videos.  

“This is yet another way that our teachers are stepping up to make our school district among the top schools in the state – learning new technology to use in the classrooms and improving health education,” Stubblefield said.

Pictured below:  NAMS teachers Andy Hall and Tana Ranager work to complete health videos to be used as a part of the health education at NAMS.

The Canton Public School District recently sponsored an annual family
fitness day in celebration of the district's on-going efforts to
connect with family and the community. The day-long event was
co-sponsored by the Mississippi State University Extension Service and
the Mississippi State Department of Health. The day included workshops,
physical activities and presentations from school partners. Healthy
snacks were provided by school adopters, One Hundred Black Men. Games
and activities that promoted physical activity included step movements,
space jumps, walking and running.

More than two hundred people recently attended Family Fitness
Together: Helping Ourselves and Helping Others which was held at New
Albany Elementary School. The Family Fitness Night included a health
fair, family fitness activities, a baked chicken strip dinner and a
silent auction. The health fair was sponsored by Baptist Memorial
Hospital - Union County, Baptist HealthPlex, Mississippi State
University Extension Service, Anytime Fitness and Mississippi State
Department of Health.

Fitness activities were held in the physical education building to
showcase equipment and supplies that were purchased with funds from the
John D. Bower, M.D. School Health Network and USDOE, Carol M. White
Physical Education Grants. Students and their families enjoyed Dance
Dance Revolution, ping-pong, basketball, jump ropes and hoola hoop
activities. In order to promote family togetherness, meals were
available for purchase in the school cafeteria. Funds were raised to
support the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.

"Family and community involvement is extremely important in the
success of our schools," said Lecia Stubblefield, Director of
Curriculum & Federal Programs in the New Albany School District. "That
is why we continue to provide various ways for families and communities
to be involved in promoting academic success, good health and physical
fitness."

Webster Elementary in Yazoo City School District recently celebrated a
fun-filled Family Fitness Day and Night event. Students participated in
field day activities in the morning, then family and community
participants came to an Evening of Fitness, sponsored by the school.
Games included: balloon pop, basketball, jump rope and line dancing.
Health-related exhibits including topics of Know Your Numbers, Hidden
Salt and Sugar, Diabetes Awareness and Dental Hygiene were presented by
community partners.

Another outstanding family and community involvement program was held
by the Clinton Public School District. The Arrow Meltdown highlighted
the district's Biggest Loser Competition for parents and teachers. The
culminating event of the Meltdown was Healthy Family Day, when schools
brought together community partners, parents and their children for a
day to celebrate program successes.

The community-wide health fair held on the Clinton High School campus
featured forty exhibitors, healthy food vendors, free health screenings
and a number of physical activity stations where parents and
children could exercise together. In addition, the winner of the Biggest
Loser Contest was announced. Each school in the district had the
opportunity to share successes of faculty and staff members who
participated in school weight loss contests. This event was coordinated
and presented by the district health council with the help of Healthplex
Fitness Center, Mississippi College, WLBT and area businesses.

Courtesy of Mississippi Department of Education

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.”

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.

This award, given by the National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE), recognizes the nation’s most successful agricultural education programs by highlighting the local programs and teachers that achieve success. Winners are educators who have developed an outstanding agricultural education program at either the middle school or high school level. Applicants are judged on a variety of criteria, including teaching philosophy, effective classroom and experiential instruction, development of partnerships, and professional growth.

New Albany High School will compete against Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program Award winners from surrounding states for the opportunity to be named the 2010 NAAE Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program for Region V. Regional winners will receive a plaque and an expense paid trip to attend the 2010 NAAE convention in Las Vegas.

The Outstanding Middle/Secondary School Ag Ed Program Award is sponsored by the National FFA Alumni Association as a special project of the National FFA Foundation. NAAE is the professional association for agricultural educators.

The mission of NAAE is “professionals providing agricultural education for the global community through visionary leadership, advocacy and service.” The NAAE office is located in Lexington, Kentucky.

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.