AUGUST 16 ISSUE
UPCOMING EVENTS

August 16 
All Sports Night

August 17
Lower School Chapel

August 23
Lower School Back to School Night

August 29
Middle (seventh and eighth) and Upper School Back to School Night

August 30
Middle (fifth and sixth) Back to School Night  
JA TO HOST EQUESTRIAN EVENT

The first horse show that the JA Equestrian Team will host is set for November 12-13 at the Canton Multipurpose and Equine Center in Canton.
MAKE-UP DAYS FOR BOYS SOCCER TRYOUTS THIS WEEK

For any boy in grades seventh-ninth who missed the summer soccer tryouts, there will be two make-up days in August for those who are interested in participating in JV soccer for the 2016-17 year:  Wednesday, August 17, 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. and Thursday, August 18, 3:45 to 5:00 p.m. Both of these make-up dates will be on the turf at the scheduled times.

NEW AND EXCITING ADDITIONS TO JA CAF�

A menu selection of farm to table items will be available each week. Also, twice a month the JA Caf� will feature a visiting chef who will have a cooking display station for students.

New additions 
  • New menu items
  • Gourmet Raider Burger on a ciabatta bun
  • Build your own burrito bowl
  • Healthy entr�e offered every day
JA'S RAIDER NETWORK ADDS BROADCAST TRAILER

Jackson Academy, already known for its extensive use of technology in the classroom, has added even more opportunities for students to use technology in its new mobile broadcast trailer.
 
The Jackson Academy Raider Network, formally launched in 2015, broadcasts various athletic and extracurricular activities over the internet. Within a very short time period, the Raider Network has become a widely recognized high school broadcast production in the Southeast. Various organizations have solicited the Raider Network to produce their live events, such as the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, Shorter Productions, and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools.
 
This month the Raider Network is launching a high-tech broadcast trailer that meets the requirements for ESPN3 broadcasts. This 18-foot production trailer houses a crew of five that produces, directs, and coordinates each event. The trailer utilizes the latest in high-definition broadcast equipment. This year the Raider Network will be able to produce events that require up to 10 cameras, multiple channels of replay, 32 channels of audio, and high-definition graphics packages.
 
Scott Pray, the lead audio engineer for ESPN Monday Night Football and NBA coverage on ESPN, recently assisted the Raider Network with setting up audio equipment. "I'm most impressed with the technical ability and passion of the crew," he said. "The Raider Network trailer is well equipped to do the show."
 
Jackson Academy staff, alumni, and students staff the Raider Network. The purpose of the network is to showcase the skills and talents of Jackson Academy students as well as to train students to use live production equipment. "As with any discipline you need the proper tools to perform the task at hand, but equipment doesn't make television. People make television, and the Raider Network is in good hands," Pray said.

"Hands-on experience in broadcasting and the critical thinking skills necessary to produce high-quality content fit well with our progressive educational philosophy," said Cliff Kling, JA president. "Working directly with other students, faculty, and technical professionals to produce programming really engages students, and they gain perspective on career opportunities that correspond with their talents and interests."

This year Jackson Academy will also launch a sports broadcasting class that will focus on producing events along with working with the new broadcast trailer. Students in the class will learn how to produce events based off training materials that the University of Mississippi uses to train those that are part of the ESPN SEC Network. According to Pray, there is always a need for individuals with live production experience and know-how. "I would encourage any students who are interested in a career in broadcasting to get involved with this team. It will prove to be an invaluable experience," he said.

For more information about the Raider Network, visit raidernetwork.org.
MEET YOUR FRIENDS AT JA AT THE VILLAGE AUGUST 23



Highland Village and Jackson Academy will kick off a fun, new gathering for the JA community August 23! JA will converge on the courtyard of Highland Village for a live Raider Network broadcast featuring all things JA with Bryan Eubank. Buffalo Peak Outfitters, the sponsor of the first live broadcast, will provide offers for attendees and a giveaway valued at $150.

Broadcasts are scheduled for each Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. from August 23-November 1, except for October 18. Pre-broadcast activities by Highland Village begin at 4:30 p.m. Each week, Highland Village will offer discounts to different stores or restaurants, as well as food, music, and games.

JA academic divisions, athletic teams, spirit teams, bands, JAA, Booster Club, and performing groups can use this as an opportunity to perform and to promote their activities and upcoming events through interviews with Bryan Eubank.

School spirit will be at an all time high as we learn about upcoming events, get the latest on athletics, hear from students and alumni, and connect with other LeFleur East businesses and sponsors.

Each week JA at the Village will feature different students, programs, and merchant sponsors. Look for more information next week about what's to come! JA at the Village is going to be a fun place for JA families and friends to gather.

FACULTY-STAFF KICK OFF YEAR AT CONVOCATION


On the first day of teacher work week, the entire JA faculty and staff come together for a kick off of the upcoming school year. This year, the past was celebrated as Trustees, past parents, and grandparents Randy James, Ed Kennedy, and Walter Weems held a discussion about the school from its founding to today. It ended with this video highlighting some of the developments and advancements over the last ten years.
ALL SPORTS NIGHT IS TONIGHT!


6:00 p.m. at Raider Field

Please join us as we kick off a new school year of JA athletics at All Sports Night. This annual presentation of our talented athletes will also feature performances by the JA Band, Varsity and Junior Varsity Cheerleaders, Accents, Silver Steppers, and JA Jazz!   
 
Students, be sure to get an autograph card at the JA Booster Club tent. Once you have fifteen athletes' autographs, take your card to the concession stand and receive a FREE POPCORN.

Also, get a sneak peak at the new Raider Network trailer! The trailer utilizes the latest in high-definition broadcast equipment.  
 
Parents, be sure to stop by the JA Booster Club tent, too! The 2016-17 Sports Information Guide is included with all Booster Club Memberships. All Sports Passes, a limited number of reserved football game parking spaces, and chair back seats are also available for purchase. Please click here for Booster Club Membership information. The form may be mailed or handed in on All Sport's Night.


WELCOME NEW FACULTY AND STAFF



Each year we have the opportunity to welcome new members of our community who will be serving in faculty and staff roles. Some are familiar faces already because they have worked at JA previously, are a parent or alum, or have been here a few months. If you see someone on this list today, tell them you're glad they are here!

  • Whitney Allen, MS Science
  • Amy Arinder, MS Choral Music Director
  • Courtney Denton, PK Teacher
  • Chrissie Grantham, PK Assistant
  • Sarah Howard, After School & Preschool Staff Support
  • Katie Kennedy, K3 Assistant
  • Christina Lawrence, Head Volleyball/US 
    Broadcasting/Multi Media
  • Jennifer Miller, K3 Teacher
  • Wanda Pearcy, US Math
  • Colleen Roberts, Head Tennis Coach/Asst. Basketball/Volleyball
  • Mandy Robertson, Assoc. Dean Support
  • Danny Robertson, Varsity Football Coach
  • Vivian Robinson, MS English
  • Grace Simmons, Fifth English
  • Todd Taylor, Band Director
  • Megan Veiga, Lower School P.E.
  • Larry Weems, Head Varsity Football Coach
  • Shelby Anderton, Assistant Volleyball
  • Phillip Buffington, Assistant Soccer
  • Sarah Denney, Preschool Dyslexia Specialist
  • Jim Owen, Football Coach
  • Adam Smith, Eighth Grade Baseball
  • Kateri Tolo, Middle School Art
  • Darrell Tucker, Assistant Junior High Football
  • Bill Campbell, Operations Coordinator
  • Stacy Taylor, Director of Maintenance
AP LITERATURE CLASS ENTRY WINS EUDORA WELTY CREATIVE WRITING COMPETITION



Annalee Purdie of Madison was selected as the first place winner of the Eudora Welty Creative Writing competition for her short story, A Summer in the Heat. The award was presented by The Center for the Study of Southern Culture at The University of Mississippi. Her story has been published by Portico magazine in the August edition. A 2016 JA graduate, Annalee wrote A Summer in the Heat for an assignment for Schuyler Dickson's AP Literature class, and her teacher nominated it during Annalee's senior year.

"There were a lot of very good fiction writers in last year's AP Literature class. When Annalee first read A Summer in the Heat to the class, though, I knew she had done something special," her teacher said. "I'm very proud that her hard work has been recognized by The Center for the Study of Southern Culture and am confident that this is the first of many more wins for Jackson Academy. Make sure you read her story (and many other good ones) in this year's Images!"

GAMES TO BE AIRED ON NEW STATION

JA Athletic events have found a new radio home for the first time in 16 years on 1400-AM WJQS. The longtime Voice of The Raiders, Bryan Eubank, will once again be broadcasting all of the JA varsity football games, selected varsity girls and boys basketball games, and selected baseball games. There are also plans to add a FM signal to go along with 1400-AM by the end of this calendar year.

Also, fans can access football games on the Raider Network stream via the website home page Raider Network link.