August 25, 2011

ACT test results were recently released by ACT to school districts and states all over the nation. Unfortunately, as a whole, ACT results for the Class of 2011 across the nation were disappointing with national rates only increasing from 21.0 to 21.1 (0.47%). As a whole Mississippi results fell from 18.8 to 18.7 and Tennessee rates fell from 20.9 to 20.7. Although we are not privy to local results, recent newspaper articles have indicated that local scores are down as well.

On the other hand for the Magnolia Heights Class of 2011, average ACT test results showed a significant increase, rising from 20.7 to 23.5, an increase of 2.8 points (13.5%), in one year. This is a direct result of the hard work of our faculty and our ACT test prep initiative implemented three years ago. Not only have we seen our top scores rise, but we are also seeing our mid and lower quartile scores rise as well. While the top scores of 34 and 33 from our students in the Class of 2011 were truly outstanding, we also saw those students who previously scored in the 20-21 range boost their scores to the 25-27 range, easily qualifying for thousands of scholarship dollars. The Class of 2012 shows even more promise with a top score of 35 already obtained.

This is further evidence of the extraordinary faculty members we are blessed to have at Magnolia Heights and their commitment to achieving our children’s academic promise.

August 18, 2011

MHS alumni were in the news this morning.

First of all, United States Naval Officer, Petty Officer Stephen Ruhl, MHS Class of 2006, as well as Class President, telephoned News Channel 3 from his carrier, the USS George Washington, in the Pacific Ocean to tell everyone in his home town of Como hello. He was on for about five minutes and talked about his deployment and how proud he was to serve his country. He closed by extending his best wishes to his family, Dr. Forrester and Dee Ruhl, as well as his brothers and sisters Buck and Livie, MHS 8^th and 7^th graders respectively, Margaret Ellen (MHS Class of 2010 and a National Merit Finalist) who is on her way to Dickinson College, and Jonathan who is also serving our country in the US Navy (currently back from deployment as a medical corps ‘man in Afghanistan). Way to go Stephen! We are all so proud of you and all our men and women in uniform protecting our freedom and standing in the gap 24/7.

Also, Mississippi State football players, Addison Lawrence (MHS Class of 2007) and Cameron Lawrence (MHS Class of 2009) were featured in the Commercial Appeal and Clarion Ledger this morning. Addison has started every game at right tackle since the first game of his sophomore season. He has been selected as pre-season 3^rd team All-SEC pick and has already earned his degree in Business graduating last May. Cameron, a two-year letter winner, shared starting duties last year and is projected as a starter this year as an outside linebacker. Way to go guys and good luck this year!

August 16, 2011

What a great start!

School is off and running. From academics to athletics, school is back in full swing. Our faculty and students are getting back in the routine, and there seems to be a new enthusiasm this year I haven’t felt before. There are lots of smiles, and everyone has a bounce in their steps.

From my visit to the elementary classrooms on Wednesday, to our junior high and high school students moving to and from their classes, everyone was so excited to see their friends and start the new school year.

We are all looking forward to a great year! Please look for ways to get involved. Our parents’ involvement and participation are critical to our school’s success and there are many ways to participate and offer support. From volunteering to assisting in classrooms to helping in the athletic venues, there’s a place for everyone. The Parents' Club (of which all parents are members) needs volunteers and support for their many activities which provide so many needed extra resources for the school. Our athletic booster club, the Chiefs Club, provides the required revenue for our athletic programs. Both clubs need your support, so please volunteer and say “yes” when you are asked to help.

Thanks again for the great start. Go Chiefs

July 28, 2011

Boy how the summer has flown by. Everyone has been so busy getting ready for the new school year. Teachers and administrators have attended workshops on utilizing technology in the classroom, improving the creative writing skills of our students, how to setup and use RenWeb (our new school management software), as well as many other offsite workshops and classes. Coaches have been running off-season workouts, camps and clinics. School maintenance and custodians have been attending to getting our facilities ready for the fall semester. Finally, our administrators have been busy enrolling new students, reviewing test scores, and setting up back-to-school in-service and activities.

However, even with all that going on, we are still very excited and ready for the new year. As an example, our kindergarten and lower elementary students will return to a new iPad cart with 25 iPads purchased by our Parents’ Club. To that end, teachers have been busy learning about the iPad and how to incorporate it into their classrooms. They are all excited about using the iPad to reinforce learning and give our students a leg up on utilizing this new technology.

Coach Coleman has been busy completing his online training on ‘‘Blended Learning.” This new educational delivery method will combine both online and face-to-face instruction. This blended class will provide a transition for our students as they advance on to college and are faced with required online classes in many of their fields of study. Not only will students learn the mechanics of online classes, the technology, etc, but they will also learn how time management and setting goals for completing tasks work into the completion of the class. He has set up his new online learning website through HaiKu and will be introducing his class to this new way of instruction. His class, “Principles of Personal Finance,” will also give our students valuable insight into how to manage their own personal finances, something so desperately needed in our nation at this time.

The Parents’ Club also purchased a new Macbook cart with 25 Apple Macbook computers. These computers will be used throughout the secondary grades with special emphasis in grades 7 and 8. Each teacher in grades 7 and 8 will have both group and individual technology projects for their students. These projects will be used to challenge the students to work in teams, think creatively and solve complex problems using the same type of technology they will see in their post-secondary education courses.

Indeed, the new school year is almost here and I hope everyone is ready. Many of our students have summer reading to finish; parents have school supplies to buy, and everyone is begining preparations to change from a summer routine back to school routine once again. There is just something special about the beginning of school. Whether seeing old friends or simply a desire to get back in the routine, whether we like to admit it or not, we miss school when it’s not in session.

So mark your calendar for August 10 and we’ll see you then

May 22, 2011

This past Sunday we were privileged to honor Mrs. Marilynne Burnside with a retirement reception. For the past 25 years Miss Marilynne has given Magnolia Heights’ students her very best. Her love and devotion for her students was witnessed on a daily basis. Whether comforting a little one who missed their mom, to making sure that everyone was on task, Miss Marilynne was always there. With her kind sweet smile, and the fact that she knew the names of all her students, Miss Marilynne always had a way of making sure you knew you were part of her family – the Magnolia Heights’ family.

Miss Marilynne started her 25 year career at Magnolia Heights as a 4 year old kindergarten teacher. There she, along with Miss Linda (Mrs. Linda Adams), taught the children the love of learning. Reading, writing, arithmetic and yes even recess – would all be worked on each day. By the end of the year, they were ready to graduate to 5K and learn the fundamentals that would serve them well through elementary school and beyond. Each year as she tearfully hugged each one, and most of the time they hugged back – she beamed with pride at how much they had learned and changed. Everyone else could see how much they enjoyed school and loved their teacher.

A few years later, and after many miles back and forth to “the school in Oxford” as she put it (Miss Marilynne is a big Bulldog fan), she earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and was named Elementary Principal. She served in that capacity for some 22 years and during her leadership Magnolia Heights’ elementary grew to unprecedented heights. A capital campaign was even undertaken to build new classrooms for the growing enrollment and MHS became a model for others to envy.

She would continue working with her students even in their high school years through golf, a game she dearly loves. She taught the boys, and a few girls, to respect the game and to develop skills that would serve them well – in high school and into their adult lives. She promoted junior golf with the same fervor and devotion used to teach 4 year olds how to read. You see, Miss Marilynne was a teacher and whether golf or reading - Respect, Knowledge and Skill were always stressed, no matter the task.

I had the privilege of both of my boys going through kindergarten and the elementary grades under her leadership. They not only knew they were loved, but would also be asked to give their best effort no matter what the endeavor. And you know – boys will be boys!
It has been said time and again that a true teacher touches the future each day. Hundreds of children will go on to be fruitful and productive citizens because of Miss Marilynne. There are only a few teachers, or for that matter people, that you never forget, and Miss Marilynne is one of those. We wish her well in her retirement and know that she will always be a Chief and will always be loved by all of us at Magnolia Heights.

Miss Marilynne we love you and wish you well – God Bless You….

May 20, 2011

Last Thursday night forty-nine seniors received their diplomas from Magnolia Heights. All forty-nine seniors in the class received a college or university scholarship. The total for all scholarship recipients was over $3 million. Among the forty-nine seniors were two National Merit Finalist and thirteen Mississippi Eminent scholars.

Commencement speaker Samuel Hong, a 2007 Magnolia Heights graduate and a 2010 graduate of Emory University challenged the students and all in attendance with an inspiring address of how God’s grace is always sufficient and how it has impacted his life as he prepares for Emory Medical School and continues his research into defeating Cancer. Sam’s address to the Class of 2011 can be found by clicking this link. We were also honored to have Sam’s parents here from South Korea to hear his address.

What an evening for Magnolia Heights – alumni making a difference in the world and a brand new class ready to begin their quest to be the best they can be. Thank you Sam and good luck Class of 2011!

May 5, 2011

What a night for our seniors!

Last night was our annual Senior Awards Night. Each year we take a special evening to honor our seniors prior to their graduation. It’s our way of giving special significance to their honors and achievements, but also serves as a challenge to the junior class to accept the mantle of leadership for the upcoming school year.
What a year our seniors have had academically! Eleven students earned Mississippi Eminent Scholar status (29 or above on ACT), two students were named National Merit Finalist, and a dozen were selected for honors’ programs at colleges and universities across the nation. The average ACT for the class was over 23 (a true average because all MHS students - all 49 of the seniors - must take the ACT). There are 49 students in the Class of 2011 and all 49 received a college scholarship! Over $3.5 million in scholarship dollars were offered to the Class of 2011! What a testament to their hard work and their parents’ sacrifice to afford them a Magnolia Heights education. And what a testament to the outstanding job of Mr. Keith Godbold, Director of College Admissions, and the entire Magnolia Heights faculty, staff and administration.

It was truly a great night for everyone and congratulations Class of 2011!