Thursday, March 31, 2011

March 31, 2011

For the past two and a half days, Magnolia Heights hosted a Peer Review Team from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) as part of the school’s re-accreditation process. The visiting team, comprised of teachers and administrators from Mississippi, Tennessee, and North Carolina, toured the campus, visited classrooms, interviewed students, faculty, trustees, and parents, checked the school’s compliance with standards, and validated the school’s 5-Year School Improvement Plan.

The committee unanimously recommended re-accreditation and left very favorably impressed with Magnolia Heights, its students and faculty, and the level of educational excellence fostered at the school.

SAIS has 338 member schools from 11 southeastern states, the Caribbean, and Latin America, making SAIS one of the largest regional independent school associations in the country.  SAIS represents over 180,000 students. SACS is part of AdvancED. AdvancED is the world’s largest education community, serving more than 27,000 public and private schools and districts across the United States and in 69 countries that educate over 15 million students.

This validates what we already know: that our students are receiving an outstanding college preparatory education that will indeed prepare them for the rigors of college and life beyond, and is recognized by peer educators from schools across the region as such. I want to thank everyone who participated in the process and particularly to thank Allison Burris and her School Improvement Committee.

Well Done!!

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

March 23, 2011

Once again I have the privilege of bringing you up to date and congratulating our students and faculty on their outstanding accomplishments.

Mr. Bob Dees and Mrs. Jennifer Williams took 26 MAIS District Science Fair winners from Magnolia Heights (only Class IV and V, grades 9-12) to the International Science Fair Competition at Ole Miss yesterday. MHS was the only private school represented. Among the public schools participating were Oxford High School, Southaven High School, South Panola High School, as well as several DeSoto County Schools and many other public schools across North Mississippi. At the awards ceremony 23 of the 26 MHS projects placed and were awarded medals. Of the 23 projects receiving an award, 13 were invited to participate in the state-wide public school competition next week in Starkville. Jake Austin Smith’s project, “Expired Pharmaceuticals: Fact or Fallacy” was selected as one of the “Best of Fair” projects and is an alternate to attend the International Science Fair in Los Angeles this summer, and Zach Shackelford won $200 from Intel for his project’s excellence in computer science!

One of our secondary faculty members, Mr. Barry Coleman, was honored last night as “Tate County Educator of the Year” by The Tate County Economic Development Foundation. Mr. Coleman has taught history and economics at MHS for the last 9 years. He is the first MHS teacher to achieve “Master Teacher” certification from the state of Mississippi. He has written for the AP Economics exam and was instrumental in the development of the state-wide economic curriculum. He is currently developing a personal finance course that will be required of all MHS 10th graders beginning next fall. As a testament to his dedication and excellence in the classroom, the MHS Seniors of 08, 09, and 10 chose him as the teacher that most influenced them at Magnolia Heights. Way to go Coach Coleman!

It’s always great to see our students and faculty receive the credit they so richly deserve for the job they do day in and day out. Way to Go Chiefs!

Monday, March 7, 2011

March 7, 2011

It’s amazing how fast the school year is passing. We are already quickly approaching spring break. Registration for next year is well underway with alumni registering this week and new students beginning March 21. Where does the time go? The spring sports are well underway; achievement tests are just around the corner; everyone is so busy; and yet MHS students continue to make headlines with their achievement.
In District Science Fair competition at Kirk Academy last week, MHS students dominated the awards ceremonies with 37 ribbons out of a possible 54. These students will now advance to the International Science Fair at Ole Miss March 22 and the MAIS State Science Fair April 6. Congratulations go to Mr. Dees, Mrs. Goodwin, Coach Carie, and Mrs. Williams and all the MHS students who have worked so hard on their projects. Good luck at the State and International Fairs!!
Spiritual Emphasis week is underway this week. Today Jason Cook, former Ole Miss football player and Campus FCA Director at Ole Miss spoke. Tomorrow, Alan Williams of Teammates First will speak. Alan’s book Walk-On: Life from the End of the Bench is his personal story of life as a walk on basketball player at Wake Forrest University. The message of his book, fighting for something greater than self, has led him to a career in motivational speaking.  Wayne Hill of the Senatobia First United Methodist Church will speak Wednesday and John Ingstrom, North Mississippi FCA Director, will conclude on Thursday. As always you are certainly welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. We begin at 8:15 and are usually done by 8:45.
Although the students will begin their spring break after classes on Thursday, our teachers will meet with over 250 other teachers from all over MAIS District 1 on Friday at MHS. Alan Williams will deliver the keynote address. He will be followed by Neill Hitchcock of Apple Computers who will demonstrate the educational opportunities of using Apple’s I-Pad in the classroom.
I hope everyone has a safe and restful spring break!