OCTOBER 6 ISSUE
UPCOMING EVENTS
October 12
*Fall Holiday

October 15

*Third Thursday

October 16-18
*The Retreat

October 20
*Fall Carnival
THE RETREAT
THIRD THURDAY

Insight into the Gifted Brain
October 15, in the Upper School Library at 12:00 p.m.
 
Click here for more information.

Register by October 14, by emailing Beth Murray-Wilson.
TOP PERFORMER

The Clarion-Ledger
has named Beaty Hill a Top Performer of the Week for making 13 saves in goal in a 1-0 shootout win over Prep. Congratulations!
PRESIDENT SHADOWS MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT

After shadowing a junior student last year, President Cliff Kling again became a student for the day at Jackson Academy, this time shadowing seventh grader Reagan Bosarge. They began the day in show choir practice, continued with five academic classes, break, lunch, and football practice. They ended the day back at show choir for an after school choreography workshop. Reflecting on the experience, President Kling said, "For me, being student-centered starts with understanding the student experience first-hand. While I, thankfully, can never truly relive all of the pressures of being a seventh-grade student again, taking a day to walk in the shoes of students and seeing our school from their perspective is incredibly informative to my work as president of the school."



ALPHA AND OMEGA
SHOE SWAP

Meeting their Alpha and Omega buddy was a special treat for kindergarten and senior students this year. The event began with a fun matching exercise where kindergarten students left one shoe in the Performing Arts Center as a clue to who they were. Each senior had the challenge of finding their buddy by matching the shoe to the kindergarten students seated by class in the amphitheater. Some students wore unique shoes such as animal house slippers or cowboy boots. Others wore regular school shoes. After seniors found their buddies, they walked together to Kona Ice trucks stationed beside the PAC where they enjoyed shaved ice treats.

The program is a way for seniors to mentor JA's young Raiders and for kindergarten students to help seniors remember and appreciate their JA years as they prepare to head to college. Seniors and kindergarten students will meet several times during the school year for activities.

View all the photos from the Shoe Swap here.

SPEECH AND DEBATE GROWING



Speech and debate participation is recognized as a great way for students to prepare for future success----- both in college and career. Nearly 30 JA students signed up to participate in speech and debate this year.

Six of these students have attended a speech and debate competition this semester. Four students represented JA in the John C. Stennis Novice Speech and Debate competition at Mississippi State this past weekend. They competed in these categories: Brianna Cry - Dramatic Interpretation; Kelsey Ford - Poetry Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking; Reggie Fullwood - Humorous Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking; and Hays Rogers - Congressional Debate. Hays won first overall and Brianna won sixth overall in their respective categories.

Last week, four students went to the Oak Grove Warrior Invitational. They were Brianna Cry - Dramatic Interpretation; Kelsey Ford - Congressional Debate; Natalie Ford - Varsity Extemporaneous Speaking, Prose Interpretation, Poetry Interpretation; and
Chloe Owens - Prose Interpretation. Congratulations to all our students who are representing JA in speech and debate!

"The benefits of speech and debate competition are broad and immense," said Ray. "Students hone skills in public speaking, text analysis (both fiction and non-fiction literary analysis and/or news media analysis, depending on the competitive event), analytical writing, verbal and nonverbal communication, and interpersonal relationships both with team members and fellow competitors, just to name a few."

Faculty members Dr. Dennis Conklin or Sarah Shaw also work with the speech and debate program.

The next scheduled competition is October 16-17 at Saint Andrew's. Advisor Lauren Ray says she will need to know by this Friday (at the absolute latest) about students' decision to compete. Schools register those debating 10 days in advance. The cost is $25 to join the team and $10 per competition. 
VOLLEYBALL ENTERS PLAYOFFS THIS WEEK



The JA volleyball team is ranked as the No. 1 team in the state among all schools. The MAIS Volleyball Playoffs will take place on Wednesday, October 7, in Rugg Arena at Belhaven University. JA is scheduled to play in game five at 2:00 p.m.

To view the bracket and more information, click here.

First Round Games
Game One: 10:00 a.m.
Game Two: 12:00 p.m.
Game Three: 11:00 a.m.
Consolation Games
Game Four: 1:00 p.m.
Game Seven: 4:00 p.m.
Semi-Finals
Game Five: 2:00 p.m.
Game Six: 3:00 p.m.
Championship
Game Eight: 5:00 p.m.

MAIS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP



Our girls soccer team is seeded No. 1 in the MAIS soccer playoffs. JA girls soccer received a first-round bye and will play a semifinal match Thursday, October 8, at JA (6:00 p.m.). Winners of the semifinal match will play again on Monday, October 12, (TBD) at JA.
APPLY FOR JERNBERG SCHOLARSHIP
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 5


Jackson Academy is accepting applications for 2016-17 Jernberg Scholars from now until December 5. Visit the Jernberg Scholars section of the website to learn more about becoming a Jernberg Scholar at jacksonacademy.org/jernbergscholars.

The Jernberg Scholarship, created in honor of former Headmaster and President Peter Jernberg, is a competitive scholarship that provides full tuition and fees (includes select fees in school sponsored clubs, activities, and sports) to exceptionally gifted students who have some demonstrated financial need. The scholarship will help students entering fifth through eleventh grade, who demonstrate outstanding academic success and motivation to excel in a challenging, innovative environment, obtain a Jackson Academy education.

SIMULATION SATURDAYS



RETOY REPRISE: OCTOBER 17


Back by popular demand: Students will be immersed in Maker's Station using old toys that will be reconstructed to create a new toy using their imagination. Students will learn the structure behind patenting a product and how to create a novel invention. Students will also create a board game that has never been on the market, complete with instructions, materials, and marketing strategies. Part of the creative process will include naming their product, deciding the target age for the game, and researching an appropriate price. Students will leave the exploration understanding what it takes to be in the toy business and how to attempt patenting a new invention.

Place: Jackson Academy Cafeteria
Time: 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Cost: $75 per Saturday (made payable to JA)
Ages: Students in grade first-sixth

To register for a Gifted Exploration Simulation Saturday, email Beth Murray-Wilson at [email protected].

View the future Simulation Saturdays here.
SUBMIT YOUR FLUMIST FORM THIS WEEK



FluMist will be given Tuesday, October 27. The FluMist is $32 and our provider will accept cash or checks (made payable to HomeCare Plus).  

Please download and complete the consent form. Parents are asked to send completed forms and money to their student's division office as soon as possible so the school nurse can get an accurate count to order.

Preschool vaccines will be available in the Preschool Library at 7:30 a.m. (parents must be present). Lower School students will be given theirs by class in the cafeteria starting at 8:15 a.m. Middle and Upper School students will receive their vaccines before school in the cafeteria starting at 7:30 a.m.

No flu shots are given to students.