Friday, December 9, 2011

December 9, 2011

I want to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone on a great first semester. From faculty and staff to students, everyone has worked so hard to put forth their best effort. Around exam time everyone gets focused, but it seems that this year the commitment has been there all along.

I had the opportunity to visit some of the student technology presentations this week and last and came away very impressed with the work our students are doing. Next semester our computer applications’ students will begin “project based learning” where they will utilize technology in both individual and group projects. The skills that they learn in this class will serve them well in their college years and beyond.

I was also very impressed with our new online class “Principles of Personal Finance.” Mr. Barry Coleman has done a magnificent job designing the course and teaching the class. These students now have a basic understanding of how to handle their personal finances. They have learned simple things like spending less than you make – what a novel idea! Are you listening, Washington, DC?

However, I am just as proud of the giving and serving attitude of our students as well. From Samaritan Purse’s “Shoe Boxes for Christmas” to the Interact Club helping Senatobia First United Methodist fill 10,000 meals to help feed the hungry, our students have been involved in looking for ways to serve. Closer to home, Mrs. Meg Woods and the National Honor Society have set up an after school tutoring service, and our kindergarten entertained the residents of Providence Place with Christmas carols last week. Serving others and giving back are valuable lessons learned at school and home, and we are certainly proud of these students and many others who give so unselfishly of their time, talent, and treasure. What a great example these students are modeling for all of us!

In all of this I hope we haven’t forgotten the real reason for this special time of the year. I hope and pray that each of you remember the greatest gift of all Jesus Christ, who came from His eternal home to live and die a sacrificial death for us that we might spend eternity with Him.

From all of us, we wish you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you have a safe and joyful Holiday season!