Spring has Sprung!

The NCAA is quickly approaching the end of “March Madness,” but at MHS we are now officially in “Spring Madness”! From baseball to track and golf to tennis on the athletic side, and science fairs and spelling bees on the academic side, our students and teachers are busier than ever and excelling in all areas.

Our baseball team is ranked #1 in the state and several of our track athletes are reigning state champions looking to defend the crowns they won last year. Our tennis and golf teams are very competitive and representing the school well.

Mr. Dees, Mrs. Williams and Mrs. Goodwin are preparing a large contingent of students for the state science fair to defend their unprecedented streak of a top three finish in the state 19 out of the last 20 years. Our students took the MAIS Academic Betterment Competition (ABC) test last week, and we look forward to another outstanding report on our results. MHS has consistently outpaced all other schools in our district and accounted nicely for themselves on the statewide level.

Despite all this extracurricular activity, day-to-day instruction carries on. This morning as I walked down the secondary hall, I saw students presenting their group projects in Computer Applications II. They had embedded videos into their powerpoints and demonstrated the thoroughness of their research. They were being graded on not only their use of technology but also their written and oral presentation skills, their degree of collaboration, their creativity, and content. These are all vital skills needed by a 21^st century student as they finish their secondary education and transition into college and their careers beyond. Many of these skills are also linked to the core competencies of the Common Core Curriculum which is in the process of being implemented nationwide in many of our public schools.

That, however, was only one example of the quality of instruction taking place. I also observed math teachers using their document cameras to explain problems, and history and economics teachers utilizing the internet to supplement their lessons. English and science teachers were also actively engaged, taking advantage of the few instructional days left in our second semester.

And although I only went down the secondary hall this morning, my previous visits to the kindergarten, elementary wing, middle school and junior high halls were no different. There I also saw active teacher-student engagement at all levels and numerous examples of utilizing technology, collaboration, and creative thinking in all areas. It is without question that as these students move to high school, they will be prepared for the next level.

I am so proud of our school, faculty and students. It is always a great day to be a Chief!

 

 

iMHS - Here We Go!

Over the past few weeks we have been surveying our parents for their input as the Board of Trustees finalized the school’s Strategic Technology Initiative. The plan, when fully implemented, will provide for one device (computer or tablet) for each student in the school.

This past year, all seniors and their teachers received a MacBook Air for their use (at home and school) as part of a pilot program. The program provided valuable insight that helped craft the school’s initiative. It also provided information as to the school’s readiness for a 1:1 program with regard to its infrastructure, as well as, the instructional expertise of the faculty in their use of technology.

Using the results of the surveys, the findings from the pilot program, and extensive research from other MAIS schools and technology consultants, the Board of Trustees voted to proceed and implement the plan at their January 2013 meeting. The plan will be phased in over the next few years. The full plan is available at the school and will soon be posted on the school’s website www.magnoliaheights.com.

We are excited to partner with Apple in our endeavor. Apple believes in creating products that enrich learner’s lives and help K-12 education achieve its goals for teacher effectiveness, college and career readiness and student achievement. These goals include national efforts such as the Common Core State Standards. These standards have been adopted by 47 states including Mississippi for English Language Arts and Mathematics. These standards emphasize that technological skills and information literacy in the digital age should not be taught separately, but rather be deeply integrated into the educational experience across all subject areas. We agree that the best technology should seamlessly connect the learner with what they are expected to learn. When a student is engaged in learning or creating, technological fluency happens as a by-product.

We know that to transform learning, we must develop a culture of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Today’s learners need to work collaboratively and communicate in meaningful ways to reach a shared goal. They need to develop critical thinking skills that apply their understanding of content and empower them to solve today’s challenges. A big part of developing global learners is to provide an environment with access to a range of devices and content that complement creative learning.

This is an exciting time for MHS and provides further evidence that Magnolia Heights is striving to provide your child with the best college preparatory education available. Although no computer will ever replace teachers and parents as the primary instructional leaders, our students need access to technology to keep pace in an ever changing global landscape. This strategic initiative will provide the blueprint to do just that.

Happy New Year!

I want to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year! School is back in full swing and second semester is going full tilt. Despite early dismissals and missing one day for inclement weather, we are off to a great start.

I want to thank all the parents who were so patient with us during those early dismissal days. The email notification seemed to go without a hitch and all the students were picked up in a timely manner. As we learn more and more about the capabilities of RenWeb, we are even more pleased with our decision to go with them.

You should have also received an email with a survey link asking for your input as we go forward with our 1:1 technology initiative, “iMHS.”   The survey is very short and should only take 3-5 minutes to complete. The results of this survey will be shared with the Board of Trustees as we take our next step toward the full implementation of our plan.
 
On a much somber note, after the Sandy Hook shootings, schools across our state and nation have been reviewing their safety and security plans and MHS is no different. Prior to our return to classes last week, the school leadership team met and reviewed our plan. On Monday before the students returned, the teachers met to review procedures and policies related to the plan. Since our in-service, we have continued to consult with other schools and local law enforcement agencies to make sure that our plan addresses all the foreseeable concerns that we have regarding school safety and security. We are continuing to look at upgrading our video surveillance system and school entrances, as well as any other measures the state and local authorities deem necessary. Your children’s safety and security are and remain our top priority.

Basketball and boys’ soccer are winding down with the playoffs for junior high less than 3 weeks away. I hope that you will take time to come out and watch these young men and women play. They do notice when you are there and appreciate your attendance.

As always, I am so proud of our school and its students and thankful to be a part of the MHS family!

 

 

From all of us at MHS, we wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season. May we be ever mindful of those less fortunate and those hurting and grieving during this special time of the year.

All of us have been touched by the events in recent days. Even though those events took place thousands of miles away, we are all grieved by the senseless loss of life. We will never know this side of Heaven why these events happen, but we can take solace in knowing that ultimately God is in control and He works even in tragedies such as this.

Please take time this Christmas to remember the true reason for the season – Jesus. Let us focus on His birth and the wonderful gift He gave us by bearing our sins on a cruel wooden cross some 2000 years ago so that we too might live with Him one day in Heaven.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and may God richly bless you and yours…

Great Heights!

We have had a fantastic couple of weeks here on “The Hill.” From the championship run of our football team, to a great crowd at Grandparent’s Day, it has been a truly great time to be a Chief!

Our Chiefs made a remarkable run to the state championship game at Mississippi College last Friday. No one gave the Chiefs any chance of making it to the title game.  It would have been easy for our guys to believe the pre-season polls and who could blame the pollsters, we only won one game last year. As far back as last spring though, Coach Young told me the off-season workouts were going extremely well and he could see determination and grit in the young men’s attitudes. He said they had put the past behind them and they were more determined than ever to do whatever it took to get back in the championship hunt. With the guys’ effort, and the undying support of the Chiefs’ fan base, the Chiefs did indeed get better and better each week, and in the end came up just short of that elusive state championship ring. We are so proud of them and their unbelievable effort and look forward to an even brighter future.

And what great crowd support we had in Jackson with everyone wearing their championship game day t-shirts. It was great to see a huge crowd of cardinal in the home stands at MC.

 All the way down I could not help but notice all the MH decals on the back windows of the cars headed to the game. It is great to see those MH stickers when we’re on the road or even in and about town. As a matter of fact, if you don’t have one, come by the high school office and mention my blog and pick up one or two for free!

From the promise of the future to the celebration of the past, last Monday we honored our grandparents. Elementary students had a special program for their grandparents and everyone had such a great time sharing and visiting throughout the day. This past Tuesday, our fourth grade presented a patriotic assembly to honor our veterans and their sacrifice for our freedom. With the National Guard presenting the colors and the beautiful patriotic songs, everyone certainly enjoyed the program. A special thank you goes to Nancy Warren for directing the program.

As we enter this Thanksgiving season, be sure to count our many blessings and look for opportunities to serve. In the coming weeks, the Interact Club will be collecting Toys for the children at LeBonheur Hospital and Operation Shoe Box will come to a close. I want to thank all our students for their help in these and all of our service projects.

Fall Update

I’m sorry I haven’t posted anything in the last few weeks, but everything seems to be going at breakneck speed. At any rate, it’s time again to brag about our school on several fronts.

I had the opportunity to attend the 1-3 grades all A’s breakfast this morning. Eight-five young students were honored for making all A’s in the first nine weeks grading period. Way to go! I know your parents are so proud of you and I want to encourage you to keep up the outstanding work.

I want to remind everyone about Harvest Fun Festival on Monday, October 22. It's always a great time for everyone with fun, food (bar-b-que), and festivities for all ages. The Parents’ Club has worked very hard to make this both a financial success, as well as a fun time for everyone. Chrysler’s Drive for the Kids will again make donations to the Parents’ Club for every Dodge-Chrysler product from Ross Motors test driven that night. This year the school will receive $20 for each test drive. Please make plans to help us with this great fundraising opportunity.

Sports are also going well. Our Chiefs and Lady Chiefs have had very successful fall campaigns. Girls’ soccer and softball have finished their seasons with our Lady Chiefs softball team finishing second in the State AAA tournament. I want to offer special congratulations to Casey Fritz and Leila Savage for their selection to play in the Soccer and Softball MAIS All-Star games. Our own Coach Jim Patterson was also selected as head coach for the North AA-AAA softball squad. Football is also winding down, but our varsity Chiefs are in the midst of a playoff run and poised to make a run at the state title. Basketball is right around the corner with the girls’ jamboree at Marshall next Tuesday. Schedules have been posted on the website.

Our 1:1 iMHS initiative continues as well. The Dollar Day for Robin McKay raised almost $4000 for the 1:1 initiative. I want to especially thank the McKay family and the Class of 1992, especially Bridgett Goodnight and Chris Williams, for making it happen. The seniors are absolutely loving their new MacBooks and finding new ways each day to utilize them in their classes. Our kindergarten through third grades are enjoying their iPad Carts and grades four through six are using their Google Chromebook cart every day. The extra MacBook cart in the high school has provided extra Macbooks for use in the classroom. A special thank you goes to the Parents’ Club for the additional carts they purchased this past summer and fall. If you are interested, I would love to have the opportunity to show you what they’re doing. If you would like a tour, please let me know.

Thanks again for all your support. Interest remains high in our school and Allison Burris and her admissions committee continues to field calls from prospective parents each day. This is a testament to the outstanding faculty and staff I am privileged to work with, as well as the strong support from parents who make our school possible.

Thanks and God bless.

What a great start! Enrollment is up over 50 students from last year and includes 120 new faces to MHS. Everyone has been very patient and looked for opportunities to help the new students find their way around MHS. The students and teachers are all adjusting to a new routine and hopefully life at home is falling back into a school-home partnership as well.

With fall comes all kinds of activities for our students. The Lady Chiefs softball and soccer teams' seasons are fully underway and off to very successful starts. The football teams and cross country will also be soon underway.

Sports aren’t the only activities gearing up for the fall campaign. Clubs such as Interact, SADD and FCA will be holding organizational meetings soon to start planning their projects and programs for the new school year.

Students and teachers aren’t the only ones busy this time of year. The Parents' Club is already busy planning the annual gift wrap sale, Harvest Festival, and back-to-school open house. The Chiefs’ Club held their annual Fall Meet the Chiefs Tuesday and are well on their way planning their projects and activities to support our athletic program such as concession stand signups and “Cow Patty Bingo.”

As I said in my Annual Meeting address, look for ways to get involved. All of us who are parents, or have children involved in school activities, are already members of the Parents’ Club, Chiefs' Club, or any of the other support organizations. Our school and our children need us to be involved in the activities that support the school and its programs.

Thanks again for a great start. GO CHIEFS!!