The DeSoto Digest

A publication of DeSoto County Schools

Newsletter

November 2015

Lewisburg High School Marching Band

Back to Back State Champs

For the second straight year, Lewisburg High School has marched their way to the top, earning the MHSAA 5A State Marching Band Championship.

The band director is Kim Hallmark. Her marching band is comprised of 158 members.

Their theme was "Benchmark." There were twenty-one 8-foot x 3-foot benches on the field.

"We manipulated those props throughout the drill. We worked with our visual and music staff to make a creative presentation that showcased our students' talents," Hallmark said.

How did they win back to back state titles?

"I think our students worked very hard all through the year," she said. "That, combined with our incredible parent and staff support, resulted in our students' success."

There were 14 bands in competition with LHS.

"We won this honor in 2009 and 2010, and again in 2014 and 2015--but this is unusual. We have never made it three times in a row. That is our new goal," she added.

Moving 158 students, their instruments and props is much like moving a small army-a sizeable accomplishment for the young 29-year-old director.

"We took four buses and six trailers to Pearl High School for the state competition," she explained.

She has two assistants, Ben McLemore, 27, and Nelson Coile, 23, who were instrumental in the success of the LHS band program.

Kim Hallmark developed her love of band at Hernando High School.

"My mother was the band booster president for eight years-four years for me and four years for my twin sisters. While no one in our family had pursued music, my parents were huge supporters and this influenced my decision to pursue a career in band. After HHS, I was involved in band at Itawamba Community College and at Ole Miss. This is my eighth year at Lewisburg High School. Time flies when you are having fun."

Kuykendall Recognized By Peers
at the MASA Meeting

Dr. Cedrick Ellis presents MASA award to Supt. Milton Kuykendall

At the Mississippi Association of School Administrators statewide meeting in Jackson, Supt. Milton Kuykendall received the "Outstanding Board Member" Award. As he approached the podium, MASA members gave him a standing ovation for what he had done for their organization and for the children of Mississippi. This is the first time MASA has presented such an award.

John Jordan with Core Learning and former Interim State Superintendent of Education, Supt. Milton Kuykendall and Superintendent-Elect Cory Uselton.

Dr. Cedrick Ellis, superintendent in McComb and current MASA President, presented the award. The conference was centered around the theme "Leading with Passion and Purpose."

Amanda Samples, principal at Lewisburg Elementary and Jeannie Treadway, principal at Lewisburg Primary

Assistant Principal John Sartain, Principal Claudette Smith and Principal Brad Meadows

Dr. Lisa Karmacharya, director of MASA, said, "Milton Kuykendall has been a Golden Lamp winner for MASA, Superintendent of the Year for Mississippi and a board member who went the extra mile to develop our organization. He deserved being recognized as one of the outstanding educational leaders of Mississippi."

New Career & Technology Center-West Showcased

"A school needs to be a part of the community, and a community needs to be a part of a school," said Supt. Milton Kuykendall to more than 300 visitors at the ribbon cutting ceremony at Career & Technology Center-West.

From left, Ann Jolley, Steve Dodd, Supt. Milton Kuykendall, Homer Skelton, and Dr. Gary Spears

Strong community partnerships helped the $12 million facility become a reality in Horn Lake. Here's how:

The City of Horn Lake helped with the land acquisition, contributing $300,000 to the project.
Northwest Mississippi Community College is partnering with DCS on class offerings and will use the facility at night.
Homer Skelton Foundation donated $100,000 for the automotive technology program and is piloting a "Top Gun" program to provide comprehensive college scholarships to the top two automotive graduates. These students will earn a "Certified Technician" degree and when they go to work they will earn more than a high school principal.
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors helped put in roads to the facility.
Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto works with the Health Science Department to allow students to have real-world job shadowing at their hospital.

Kuykendall announced the Automotive Service Center was named for Homer Skelton. Skelton has contributed more than $1.3 million to programs and services of DeSoto County Schools. The school board approved this honor and a plaque was unveiled which will be displayed in the facility to recognize the contributions Homer Skelton has made.

"This center will provide wonderful opportunities for students," Skelton said. "I am honored that I had a small part in it."

Additionally, Skelton said he was contributing a $52,000 piece of equipment so students could learn welding. Previously, the district has used a "virtual welding machine" from the State Department of Education. They allow school districts to use it for two weeks, and then it is sent to the next school location.

"Mr. Skelton is the best friend our school district has," Kuykendall said. "He has been a true blessing to our school system."

Horn Lake Mayor Allen Latimer, Supt. Milton Kuykendall, Steve Dodd, and Homer Skelton

Paul Chrestman, principal of the new CTC-West, told the group that the programs offered included:

Automotive Service Technology
Carpentry/Construction technology
Culinary Arts
Digital Media Technology
Engineering and Robotics
Health Science
Information Technology
Metal Fabrication/Welding

The district has a similar Career Technology Center in operation in Olive Branch for students in eastern DeSoto County who want to pursue a technical career path.

"It is my hope that our students who go through this facility will succeed in the 21st century workplace and gain the life skills they need to get out into the real world whether it is after they've completed a college program or right out of high school," Kuykendall added.

Fittingly, the DeSoto County School Board named the road leading to the new career education facility as "Kuykendall Lane."

Teachers at Overpark Elementary School showed their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Day by wearing pink.

Debate Students Shine at MSU

Eight DeSoto County students distinguished themselves by receiving awards at the Stennis Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament held on the Mississippi State University campus.

Twenty-seven teams competed for these honors at the Novice tournament. Winners included:

First Row from Left: Cameron Hudson, DCHS, 1st place Impromptu Speaking, 1st place Dramatic Interpretation, Alexis Cobb - Campbell Webb, DCHS, Semi-Finalist Public Forum Debate, Z. Holley, LCHS, 2nd place Impromptu Speaking, 4th place Prose, 5th place Poetry.

Back Row from Left: Lesley Magnifico - Riley Marsh, OBHS, Quarter-finals Public Forum Debate, Izzy Murphy, DCHS, 2nd place Prose, Drew Watkins, OBHS, 1st place Extemporaneous Speaking

Students Break All Records for Habitat for Humanity

It was a cool and rainy afternoon, but it didn't stop DeSoto County's high school students from participating in full force to support the 7th Annual Home Run for Habitat.

"The friendly high school competition for the most funds raised for Habitat was in full gear," said Carol Little, organizer for the event.

The total raised by the DCS high schools was $13,879 with Lewisburg High School being the winner.

Here's the breakdown:

Lewisburg, Club Sponsor Terry Boler - $6,745

Center Hill, Club Sponsor Alicia Green - $2,190

Hernando, Club Sponsor Angela Gregg - $1,332

Horn Lake, Club Sponsor Melissa Walker- $1,125

Lake Cormorant, Club Sponsor Shauna Baker - $1,080

Southaven, Club Sponsor Shelby Glover - $822

Olive Branch, Club Sponsor Tiffany Harris - $320

DeSoto Central, Club Sponsor Vaughan Nichols - $265

Little said, "Thank you, Mr. Uselton, Mr. Kuykendall, and high school principals, for your support. Club Sponsors--you are the ones who made it happen! And, we can't overlook the MCJROTC from Lake Cormorant, under the direction of LTC Gregg Johnston, who did a fabulous job of filling the volunteer spots needed at a race of this size. Our sincere and heartfelt thanks goes to each of you. Your support, along with that of our entire community, ensures that we will be building our 26th Habitat Home in DeSoto County in 2016."

Hernando Middle School Students
Build Underwater Robots

The Spotlight students at Hernando Middle School just might become marine engineers if their enthusiasm and knowledge is any indicator on their SeaPerch project.

SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that teaches students to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV).

Cathy James and Jessica Ferguson, HMS Spotlight teachers, submitted a grant application to the SeaPerch Foundation and received a grant for five SeaPerch ROV kits and one tool kit. It was the beginning of the HMS Spotlight students' SeaPerch journey. With other monies donated, they got three more kits and 88 students began working in teams to design and build their robots.

"Students built the frame for the basic SeaPerch while planning ways they could incorporate their design changes," James said. "Students rotated between their groups drilling and fitting the PVC frame and working on the design for their poster presentation boards. They learned how to waterproof and attach their motors, adjust buoyancy in a 100-gallon animal trough, practice maneuvering their crafts, and develop their skills to complete the challenges of maneuvering the ROVs through the required obstacles for SeaPerch competitions."

They went to the Olive Branch YMCA swimming pool to refine their skills.

The Mississippi competition will be held at Mississippi State University on March 20th.

"We hope to compete next year," James added.

School Personnel Being Trained on Treating Severe Allergic Reactions

From left: Susan Hardy, the district's assistant school nurse supervisor, and Hernando High Principal Freddie Joseph, learn how to administer an EpiPen from DCS Health Services Coordinator Patsy Davis.

There is a new line of defense at DeSoto County Schools for severe allergic reactions-kits which contain epinephrine Epi Pen and Epi Pen Jr. auto-injectors.

Two district nurses are making sure that staff members know how and when to use them. As they deliver the kits, they are allowing time for multiple training sessions for employees.

These kits are being provided through the Myland Drug Company's "EpiPen-4-Schools program" at no cost to the school district.

"We attended a nursing conference and learned about applying for this grant," said DCS Health Services Coordinator Patsy Davis. "If we had purchased these pens for every school, it would have cost more than $20,000. This is a wonderful safeguard to have at schools."

The company provides four free auto-injectors to each school, along with a secure, yellow locker to store the medication in the main office area. If any auto-injectors are used, a replacement injector will be provided by Mylan Drug Company at no charge.

"Last year we had a student who had a severe allergic reaction to shellfish," said Hernando High Principal Freddie Joseph. "It is a good thing to have this kit on campus."

According to Davis, there are a number of students who bring their own prescribed EpiPens to school, a practice that should be continued. She says these kits are designed for students who don't even know there are allergic to anything and have a first-time reaction at school.

"We hope we will never have to use one of these pens, but by their distribution, a life may be saved," said Davis.

The DeSoto Digest is a publication of the

Communications Department

DeSoto County Schools

5 East South Street, Hernando

Mississippi 38632

Katherine Nelson, Director

The DeSoto County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.

The DeSoto Digest is produced by the Communications Department and delivered to all employees and subscribers on the first of each month.

For additional news about DeSoto County Schools, please visit DCS News or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Katherine Nelson

Director of Communications

View DCS News

Calendar 2015-16

November 3rd

Professional Development
(Student Holiday)

November 23rd - 27th

Thanksgiving Holidays

Dec. 21st - Jan. 1st

Christmas Holidays

January 4th

Teachers & Students Return

January 18th

King/Lee Holiday

February 12th

Professional Development
(Student Holiday)

February 15th

Washington's Birthday Holiday

March 14th -18th

Spring Break

March 25th

Good Friday Holiday

March 28th

Easter Holiday

May 20th

Students' Last Day

May 25th

Teachers' Last Day

May 30th

Memorial Day Holiday

Horn Lake
Elementary School
Celebrity Reader

Do students like the Supt. of Education reading to their class? Of course they do. He came with a book and cupcakes. Supt. Milton Kuykendall read If You Give A Cat A Cupcake to Ashley Strawn's class of 22 students at Horn Lake Elementary School. He was asked to be a celebrity reader. Firemen, elected officials, policemen, and community leaders came to the school to read to students.

Hernando Elementary School

Balloon Release

Photo by Robert Long - DeSoto Times-Tribune

An Amazing Race

Photo by Tom Spatig

Johnathan Cobb runs cross country for Center Hill High School.

He may not run as fast as the other entrants, but he is just as determined to finish the North Mississippi High School Cross Country championship meet.

Tom Spatig is a sports photographer. As Johnathan ran by, he said to Spatig, "I don't know why I keep doing this."

Spatig replied, "Because you can and you're doing great."

Later, as Jonathan led a pack of supportive runners making the homestretch, Spatig realized his response was incomplete.

"You keep doing it because your heart, your mind and your willpower refuse to succumb to the challenges your body presents. You're doing it because you might just be the most inspiring kid I've had the privilege of shooting at a sporting event. You're doing it because you define true human spirit. You simply don't give up and you have a powerful effect on those around you. Thank you, Johnathan, for the opportunity to watch you run."

Another bystander was Wilson Horrell who had gone to the meet to support several of his friends.

As he watched Jonathan Cobb bravely leave the starting line, he said he told himself, "I wish I had his guts."

As Horrell was waiting at the finish line, he heard a commotion that he said was the type of energy that only comes from teenagers. He said the runners, both boys and girls, from five different schools spontaneously joined in to rally Johnathan Cobb past the finish line.

"At the finish line, this young man was swamped with a quick outburst of support, and quickly, normalcy resumed," he said. "It was the most beautiful thing I can recall witnessing. I'm not sure who finished first, but every supporter and participant was clearly a winner."

For the Latest

DCSAA Sports News

visit our website

www.dcsaa.com

New Classrooms in Use at DeSoto Central High School

Eight classrooms have been added to DeSoto Central High School. Floors tiles with DeSoto Central's purple accents brighten the hallways. Math, social studies, and business technology are taught in this wing.

Cliff Johnston, Milton Kuykendall

Algebra Teacher Tina Campbell_ Superintendent-Elect Cory Uselton

Algebra Teacher Claire Johnson and Supt. Milton Kuykendall

View DCS News

Soaring at DeSoto Central Middle School

When older students teach younger students, great learning happens.

Physics students at DeSoto Central High coached the gifted students at DeSoto Central Middle on concepts of flight. And like "October Sky," students tested the principles they learned by firing their rockets on the football field and watching them rise or fly into the air.

DCHS Physics Teacher Ashley Webb worked with DCMS Spotlight Teachers Missy Boyd and Julie Nelson to provide 130 Spotlight students with knowledge on lift, thrust, drag, and weight/gravity.

"I learned how all these principles influenced flight," said sixth grade student Kara Allison. "And it was fun!"

Some of the rockets, propelled by 90 pounds of air pressure, soared the length of the football field. Some of the rockets were duds, but every rocket provided a learning experience.

Dillan Berryman, senior at DCHS, said, "We came to their classes and talked about how a rocket works by explaining aerodynamics principles. These are really smart kids."

Students tested four wings vs. three wings, various top weights, and different rocket designs. All 130 students got to test their theories by firing their rockets and measuring their distances.

"Many of the high school students had been through the Spotlight program at my school," said Duane Case, principal at DCMS. "I think they had fun helping my students learn from their experiences."

Principals' Meeting