The DeSoto Digest
A publication of DeSoto County Schools
Newsletter
December 2015
Two Back-to-Back State
Volleyball Champions at DCS
Lewisburg High School
DeSoto Central High School
   "You play a different kind of volleyball in DeSoto County," said one Mississippi High School Activities Association official.
   And that is a good thing since both DeSoto Central High and Lewisburg High have now won back-to-back state titles.
   "I bet people say this because volleyball in DeSoto County is so competitive and teams are so good," said Margaret Falatko, DeSoto Central's Coach .
   Allison Burchyette, Lewisburg coach, added, "In DeSoto County, we play an aggressive style of volleyball. We hit hard and block with purpose. Defense is also a key to our success. The girls embrace the concept that 'the floor is our friend' and are happy to sacrifice their bodies to keep the ball up."
   DeSoto Central High won the state title in Class 3 and Lewisburg High won in Class 2.
   DeSoto Central beat Hancock, 25-21, 25-19 and 25-22, while Lewisburg swept Germantown , 25-17, 27-25, and 25-19.
   What are these teams' secrets to have winning programs?
   Falatko, said, "One of my secrets is to push my players.  I always tell them I believe in them and that they can accomplish their goals, but they have to work for these goals.  I try to make volleyball a place for them to grow (both on and off the court), but also an outlet for stress and a place to have fun.  I encourage them to be great teammates to one another and be there when they have bad days.  Without their teammates, their goals wouldn't be accomplished."
   Burchyette added her secrets for success.  "Work harder than anyone else. Keep a great attitude and be coachable. Serve tough. Get on the floor. Look for weaknesses in the other team's defense. Hit the ball high and hard."
   What is  special about each of these teams?
President of the MHSAA Executive Committee Anthony Jenkins (DCS Athletic Director) presents state championship trophy to DCHS volleyball coach Margaret Flatako.
   Falatko said, "This year's group was young, but they had a ton of motivation and will to want to work hard and win.  They faced some tough opponents and lost some matches that they probably shouldn't have, but instead of letting those define them, they worked hard to improve.  They knew the road to state would be a challenging one, but they stayed focused and executed during games.  We had great leadership from some of the veteran players.  The team chemistry was great too!  These girls would do anything for each other.  I think working together and wanting to improve definitely helped this team reach their goals."
    Burchyette said, "We had no seniors.  They had to embrace a new coach.  They worked hard at 6:30 a.m. and they loved each other.  That made this team very special." 
   "Many teams win one state championship.  But to have two teams win back to back state championships is rare.  I am proud of their hard work and accomplishments," said Supt. Milton Kuykendall.
 
Music to Our Ears
Hernando High School Band Wins MHSAA 6A Marching Band for 2nd Straight Year
Hernando High School Band Wins MHSAA 6A Marching Band for Second Straight Year
   When DeSoto County School buses start pulling into Pearl High School for the 6A State Marching Band Competition, other schools must look at them with fear and trepidation.   That is because they are the teams to beat.   
   DCS Bands swept the awards at the competition.  Thirty-two 6A high school bands competed for this title. DeSoto County Schools had five of the top bands in the state.
    Winning first place for the second year in a row was Hernando High School.  Their band director is Len Killough.
   Second place was claimed by Olive Branch High School. Southaven High School took third place, DeSoto Central High School was awarded fourth place and Horn Lake High School was the 11th place winner.
   "I'm very proud of our students and directors for the hard work they put in each and every day to prepare for this competition," said Freddie Joseph, principal of HHS. "Winning back-to-back state championships against the quality of competition we face is amazing.  Hard work pays off."
   Preparation for this state title began in July with long hours of practice in sweltering temperatures. To be the best in the state requires a systematic work ethic to make their eight minute show distinctive.
  Hernando High's band has 129 members and with middle school helpers, their total comes to 150.  Transporting this group required four charter buses, one 18-wheeler (donated free of charge by a community trucking company, one large trailer and another small trailer.  Their theme was "The Impossible Love" and was the story of Midas.
   "Every time the band touched the color guard, they would turn gold," said Killough.  "This gradually happened throughout the show until the end when their faces also turned gold."
   Parental support is one factor that Killough says is a key to their success.
   "We had parents who worked EVERY weeknight working on props, driving, selling concessions, and sewing uniforms," Killough said.  "It was amazing.  Also, the business community and parents gave our band large donations to offset costs."
   Killough said a special quality of this award-winning band is their work ethic.
   "Even though they are extremely intelligent and have wonderful attitudes, our band values hard work," he added.  "They understand the expectations because of last year's success."
   Besides winning state, Hernando High will be featured at the Mississippi Bandmasters' State Band Convention.  They were selected out of every other high school to bring their symphonic band to perform at Natchez in front of every band director in the state. 
   "This is a huge honor that has only been allotted to a select few," Killough said.  "We are the second band from DeSoto County to receive this honor.  Southaven High went in 2007."
 
Student Gets to Meet His Idol
      A rockstar visited Horn Lake Intermediate School to meet one of his biggest fans.
     Bartholomew Orr, pastor of Brown Missionary Baptist Church, a 10,000 member congregation, is the celebrity Ryan Thurmon admires most.  As a matter of fact, Ryan's favorite reward for staying on task and being respectful of others is free time to listen online to one of Pastor Orr's sermons.
   Ryan is a third grade inclusion student.
   "This illustrates our commitment as a district and school to find creative ways to support students with the help of our community partners," said HLIS Principal Rosie King. 
   At first, the plan was to get Rev. Orr to record a short video message to Ryan; however, when Rev. Orr heard that this student knows many of his sermons by heart and often imitates him, he decided to make a personal visit.
   "I felt humbled and honored that Ryan uses my sermons as a reward," Rev. Orr said.
    What was Ryan's reaction when the person he idols entered the room?
    Joy.  Pure joy.
    "Reverend Orr!!!," Ryan exclaimed, pausing to pose for a picture.
   "I came to see you today," Rev. Orr said.  "Can I see your classwork?  Math is my favorite subject.  I understand you are working on your multiplication facts."
   The two worked on multiplication facts and then Ryan asked Rev. Orr to come to the classroom's computer where Ryan quickly pulled up Brown Baptist's website.  While he did not express his feelings, he wanted Rev. Orr to know that he was in awe.
   He handed Rev. Orr a play microphone and said, "Go ahead."
   Later, Rev. Orr made a short video encouraging Ryan to try his best.
   "Ryan, stay safe.  Do not go into the street without permission.  Will you do that for me?  No running or throwing objects in class. Will you do that for me?   I want you to always obey the teacher and like II Thessalonians, I pray that you will never get tired of doing good," Rev. Orr said.
   His teachers will use the video to remind Ryan of his expectations in the classroom.  They think this will be a new tool to help him develop into the young man that God wants him to be.
 
Student Led Effort Works to Acquire a Grand Piano
Memphis Men of Harmony Make Significant Contribution
Memphis Men of Harmony Chorus donated more than $1,000 to the Grand Piano Fund at CHHS.  On hand for the donation are from left to right, Supt. Milton Kuykendall, Jim McLane, Eric Shultz, Choral Director Catherine Feazell, Jim Warner, Jim Sams and CHHS Principal Doug Payne.
      A student at Center Hill High School had a vision.  She wanted her choral teacher and her choir to have a grand piano; she is steadily making progress, one key at a time.
      Tyler Theodore realized other choral departments had a grand piano.  Hers did not. She went to a website called "GoFundMe," submitted her idea and started getting donations.  She worked with her choral teacher, Catherine Feazell, and the two came up with other efforts to raise funds, including assigning a dollar value for each of the 88 keys on the piano keyboard. An individual or group could purchase one or more keys, an octave or may donate any amount.
      One group, the Memphis Men of Harmony Chorus, an all-male chorus that sings four-part harmony in the a cappella barbershop style, decided they wanted a few keys and contributed more than $1,000 to the Center Hill High fund.
"Our fundraising efforts and our singing events provide money for us to contribute to youth programs.  We are pleased to help Center Hill work toward their goal," said Erich Shultz, president of the organization.
      "Art is as critical to making a life as education is to making a living," said Shultz.
 
Tyler Theodore started the efforts to earn a grand piano for Center Hill High School's Choral Department.
     In presenting the check, Shultz said, "On behalf of the Memphis Men of Harmony, QuickSilver quartet, and individual member donors (Ed Johnson, David Howell, Mike Lowry, Ignatius Brown and Shultz), I am pleased to present this check.  We hope that our gift may inspire others to help meet this goal and provide continuing support for your outstanding program."
      Feazell said, "Putting a top quality instrument in our choir room will enhance not only our school music program, but will enrich the opportunities for our entire community.  We are very appreciative of this generous gift."
      Tyler Theodore also learned an important lesson.  She can reach her goal of earning a $7,800 piano if she shares her vision and works to make it happen.  She has a sign posted in their choral room that reads, "Buying a Piano is a Group Effort!"
       Feazell says they hope to purchase the piano in 2016.
 
Veterans Receive Gifts from Home
   Will Norris and Brooklyn Farmer used their lunch hour at DeSoto Central Middle School to pack "Shoeboxes for Soldiers".  Many schools participated in the program.
   For the last few months, students have been collecting treasures to share with soldiers around the world in the "Shoeboxes for Soldiers" project organized by Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto. A presentation of the boxes took place on Veterans' Day as a way to honor veterans, far and near.
 

DeSoto County School Students Soar on State Subject Tests
 
    DeSoto County Schools' high school students doubled the state's average in algebra.
   The English passage rate was 85.3%.
   These are results from the first subject-area tests that measured Mississippi students' progress toward the academic goals laid out in the Mississippi College and Career Ready Standards, which were designed to ensure students have the skills and knowledge they need in jobs and college.
   "We are very pleased with the results," said Jennifer Weeks, assistant superintendent of curriculum for DCS.
   Only three smaller districts outperformed DeSoto in both subject areas-Petal (293 students), Ocean Springs (443 students), and Enterprise (58 students).  DeSoto County Schools tested 2,440 students.
   While statewide student performance dropped from previous years' performance levels in Algebra I and English II, DeSoto County Schools' students fared well in this new Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) test which replaced Subject Area Testing Program (SATP2).
   "The PARCC assessments were more demanding than previous state tests.  The test results today mark a new starting point for our students and we expect test scores to increase over a higher level than previous state tests that were mainly multiple choice," said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education.
   According to PARCC, the students scoring at Level 4 or 5, the top two performance categories, are meeting or exceeding expectations.  The scores suggest that students have a thorough understanding of grade-level content and are on the right track to being ready for college-level coursework.  Students scoring at Level 3 are approaching expectations and know a significant amount of content, but may need additional assistance in mastering all aspects of the standards.  Students scoring a Level 1 or 2 need more assistance in learning the content and are in need of greater supports.
   In Levels 4 and 5, DCS students scored 56.3% on the Algebra I tests, while the state scored 27.4%.
   In Levels 4 and 5, DCS students scored 65.2% on the English II tests, while the state average was 49.3%.
   "Our teachers have embraced more rigorous classroom work and it shows," said Weeks.
   To pass the exams, students must score a Level 3, 4, or 5.
   "Our passage rate for Algebra I was 81% compared to the state's Algebra I passing rate of 57.9%. English II was 85.3% and the state's English II passing rate was 72.7%," Weeks added.  "If you take into account that this was the first time our students were given these new tests, I think our results show how hard our teachers work to make students successful."
   Mississippi Department of Education plans to release results for grades 3-8 on December 17.  Districts are scheduled to receive individual paper take-home reports for high school students in November, while student score reports for elementary and middle school students are expected to arrive in districts in December.
 
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

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

View on Instagram

Foundation for Excellence
in Education
Grant Awards Reception
Laura Walker, Jeannine Foucault

From left, Laura Sloan, Lawanda Schief, Toni Coleman, and Jen Tidwell

Barry Bouchillon with State Farm, Olive Branch Mayor Scott Phillips
Sarah Denison and Amanda Klein
HMS Principal Rob Chase and HLHS Principal Andy Orr
Toni Coleman and Mindy Taylor
Theresa Holland, OBMS Principal Jerry Floate, and Jennifer Morrison
Deborah Morgan, DeSoto County Economic Development Council and Supt. Milton Kuykendall
Calendar 2015-16
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


Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

View on Instagram

For the Latest
DCSAA Sports News
visit our website
Thanksgiving Lunch

   There were a lot of approving Pilgrims, Indians, and Community Helpers at Hope Sullivan Elementary School for their Thanksgiving Feast and choral program.
   Each year firemen, policemen, elected officials and others are invited to the school to say thank you for the services they provide to schools.  Students don handmade hats depicting Pilgrims and Indians.
   HSES Music Teacher Dianna Shelton directed a Thanksgiving choral program for all visitors as they ate a Thanksgiving meal, while Principal Bettye Magee welcomed visitors to their campus.
Shoeboxes for Soldiers
Veterans' Day Celebration
PHES Music Teacher Anna Montgomery
   It was a patriotic day at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, and students from DeSoto County Schools helped take part in the celebration to honor veterans such as Olin Pickens, who spent 23 months in a German concentration camp during World War II.
Olin Pickens, WWII prisoner of war, talks to Milton Kuykendall
   "All we had to eat was a small bowl of soup with cabbage each day," recounted the 93-year-old Nesbit resident. 
Baptist-DeSoto Hospital CEO James Huffman, and Overpark PE teacher JJ Downs
   Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto CEO James Huffman recognized Pickens and other veterans during their 12th Annual Veterans' Day Celebration. A massive three-story American flag was the backdrop for the Veterans' Celebration that took place in the lobby of the hospital.  Students from Pleasant Hill Elementary School sang the National Anthem and other patriotic songs.
SIS PE Coach Kyle Borden, James Huffman
James Huffman and Pleasant Hill PE Teachers Lauren Casey, Jennifer Byrd
   "We have hundreds of employees who have family members deployed," Huffman said.  "We hold a Veterans' Day Celebration in our hospital to thank our employees and their families who serve our country."
State Senator David Parker
   Mississippi Senator David Parker reminded the young audience to ask their fathers and grandfathers about their military experiences, as he did with his father. 
   "If you don't, much history is lost," he said.
U. S. Senator Roger Wicker
   U.S. Senator Roger Wicker came from Washington, DC, to be a part of the celebration.  He is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and he chairs the subcommittee on sea power.  He is also a member of the Senate leadership team.
U. S. Senator Roger Wicker, Cory Uselton, Milton Kuykendall
   "Today we are celebrating Veterans' Day, but who knows what this day was formerly called?" Wicker asked.  Hands flew up.
Baptist-DeSoto CEO James Huffman and Supt. Milton Kuykendall
   He pointed to a student from Pleasant Hill and she said, "Armistice Day, the anniversary of the close of World War I."
Carleigh Achord
   Senator Wicker said, "You are correct.  You are obviously studying your history in DeSoto County."
Leighanne Wamble, Kyle Borden, Milton Kuykendall and Susan Williams
   This is the ninth year Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto has collected shoeboxes for soldiers.  The Shoeboxes Project collects personal items and letters and sends them to soldiers serving in active duty.  The 8,921 boxes collected this year from students at schools in DeSoto , Tate, Marshall and Tunica counties were picked up by the Project Package group who volunteers countless hours sending shoeboxes to soldiers year-round.
Abby Grace Dendy
  Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto awarded physical education grants to the schools who gave the largest donation of boxes.  Southaven Intermediate won a $500 grant with 349 shoeboxes; Pleasant Hill Elementary won $750 grant with 521 shoeboxes, and Overpark Elementary was the first place winner of a $1000 grant with 902 shoeboxes.