JPS All-City Elementary Music Festival

The 36th Annual JPS All-City Elementary Music Festival will be held Thursday, April 11, 2013, at 7 p.m. at the Lee E. Williams Athletics and Assembly Center, located on the campus of Jackson State University. The program is free and open to the public. [More]

JSU Summer Camp Fair

Jackson State University is hosting a Summer Camp Fair from 2-6 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2013, at the Walter Payton Wellness Center for parents and students to learn about its summer program offerings. For more information, call 601-979-2100.

2013 JPS Job Fair

Jackson Public Schools is hosting a Job Fair for prospective teachers, bus drivers, cafeteria, and maintenance workers. The event is scheduled for 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 13, 2013, at Cardozo Middle School. For more information, contact the Office of Human Resources at 601-960-8745. [More]

JPS 16th Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo

The 16th Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo will be held from 7:30 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 20, 2013, at the JPS Environmental Learning Center located at 6190 Highway 18 West (between Maddox Road and Siwell Road). [More]

JPS Salute to Scholars

The top ten graduating seniors from each JPS high school will be honored at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Murrah High School. The annual Salute to Scholars ceremony is sponsored by the Jackson Council PTA/PTSA and the City of Jackson. [More]

MDE Go HARD Summit

The Mississippi Department of Education is hosting the Go HARD Summit from 9 a.m.- 2:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the Mississippi Trade Mart. Middle and high school students may register online. The registration deadline is Friday, April 12, 2013. Lunch will be provided for the first 750 youth and adults to register. [More]

JPS Summer Reading Book Drive

Book donations are being accepted through Tuesday, April 30, 2013, for the Pages of Promise Book Drive to support JPS students and the One Jackson... Many Readers Summer Reading Program. [More]

Pre-Kindergarten Enrollment

The 25 pre-kindergarten school sites in Jackson Public Schools are accepting applications through April 30, 2013. Parents and guardians may submit applications at only one of these school sites. For more information, call 601-960-8315 or 601-960-4002. [More]

CDC Early Childcare Accepting Applications

The Early Childhood Program at the Career Development Center is accepting childcare applications for fall 2013 from May 1-June 4, 2013. Children must be potty trained and have reached their third or fourth birthday by September 1, 2013. For more information, call 601-360-2638 or 601-960-5322. [More]

High School Graduations

High school graduations for all seven JPS high schools are scheduled to take place May 28 and 29, 2013, at the Mississippi Coliseum as follows:

 

Tuesday, May 28

• Wingfield, 2-3 p.m.
• Provine, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Callaway, 5-6 p.m.
• Jim Hill, 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 29

• Forest Hill, 2-3 p.m.
• Lanier, 3:30-4:30 p.m.
• Murrah, 5-6 p.m.

[More]

Summer Program Opportunities for JPS Students

Applications are being accepted now for some summer school programs offered by Jackson Public Schools and other providers. Visit the JPS Summer Programs page for a summary of academic enrichment, athletic, music, and recreational programs offered in the Jackson area.

2013-2014 District Calendar Approved

The JPS School Board approved the 2013-2014 District Calendar during its last regular meeting. Important dates, including the first and last days of school and school closures, are as follows:

• August 8 - First day of school for students
• September 2 - Labor Day Holiday
• October 14 - Fall Break
• October 24 - Parent/Teacher Conference Day
• October 25 - District Professional Development 
• November 25-29 - Thanksgiving Break
• December 20-January 3 - Winter Break
• January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday 
• March 10-14 - Spring Break
• April 18 & 21 - Easter Break
• May 23 - Last day of school for students
• May 26 - Memorial Day Holiday

JPS JROTC Students Recognized for Scholastic Excellence

The JPS JROTC Cadet Corps conducted its 26th Annual Cadet Pass and Review Ceremony March 26, 2013, at Provine High School. The program was organized and carried out by the top cadets at each of the seven JPS high schools and featured the Formation of Cadets, Reception of the Command and Honors, Honors to the Nation, the reciting of the Cadet Creed, and Remarks.

 

Dr. Cedrick Gray and Major General Augustus Collins, Adjutant General of Mississippi and Commanding General of the Mississippi Army and Air National Guard, presented awards to high academic achieving students. The Superintendent's Award for Scholastic Excellence was presented to the JROTC cadets from each JPS high school who exhibited the highest degree of excellence in scholastic areas throughout the school year. The 2013 recipients were:

• C/2LT Myuna NcNair, Lanier 
• C/MAJ Jacquenique Holifield, Murrah 
• C/CPT Asia Henderson, Wingfield 
• C/MAJ Jazmine Walton , Callaway 
• C/Major Marnisha Toney, Forest Hill 
• C/CPT Lorretta Williams, Provine 
• C/MAJ Kimberly Gilmore, Jim Hill 

[More]

Davis Magnet and Power APAC Recognized at Mississippi PTA Convention

Two JPS schools were recognized during the Mississippi PTA Convention held April 5-7, 2013, in Jackson. Davis Magnet Elementary School and its PTA were honored with the State PTA's Citizenship Award for their efforts to develop compassionate citizenship. Davis Magnet Principal Dr. Jane Everly accepted the award on behalf of the school. JPS Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray was awarded the Life Membership plaque. He also served on the program as a guest speaker for the Friday evening banquet and awards program.

 

Twenty-two JPS students entered creative pieces into the 2013 Mississippi PTA Reflections Program, a statewide arts contest sponsored annually by Mississippi PTA. Nine students from Davis Magnet Elementary School and thirteen students from Power APAC received awards at the state level during the Saturday awards program. First place winners from this contest will represent the state of Mississippi at the national level. Prizes at the national level include an all-expense-paid trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, to attend the national convention, monetary awards, scholarships, certificates, and other prizes. The theme for the 2013 Reflections competition was "The Magic of a Moment."

 

2013 Mississippi PTA Reflections Winners

 

Winner	School	Place	Div.	Work
Dance/Choreography
Destiny Hughes	Power	1st	Sen.	A Moment of Magic
Christiana Jefferson	Power	3rd	Sen.	Who's The Killer?
Literature
Imani Skipwith	Davis	1st	Int.	First Time
Ariyonna Bennett	Davis	2nd	Int.	Christmas Day
Milan Walker	Davis	3rd	Int.	If It Could Be Mine
Drew Overston	Davis	1st	Int.	Clowny Daddy
Korbin Jones	Davis	2nd	Int.	My Bike
Khalea Johnson	Davis	3rd	Int.	Moving
Destiny Hughes	Power	1st	Sen.	The Magic Hidden in a Moment
Music Composition
Alexandria Deans	Power	1st	Int.	Enchanted Feelings
Shaddie Lee	Power	1st	Mid.	For You
Charles Deaton	Power	2nd	Mid.	Four Moments of Thoughts
Angela Powell	Power	1st	Sen.	Magic Moments
Photography
Kylei Tyler	Davis	2nd	Int.	Secrets
TyRaven McGowan	Davis	3rd	Int.	Small Yet Amazing
Roniah Russell	Davis	Hon. Mentions	Int.	Friendship
Mary Spooner	Power	2nd	Sen.	Issaquena
Visual Arts
Xavier Lee	Power	2nd	Int.	Fun Time
Armand Jackson	Power	1st	Mid.	The Green Bag
Ambria Green	Power	2nd	Mid.	How Time Flies
Jaylon Ervin	Power	3rd	Mid.	Just Blooming
Veronica Crawford	Power	1st	Sen.	My Guardian Angel
Mary Spooner	Power	3rd	Sen.	Mary and Nicholas 1955
Rahzizi Ishakarah	Power	Hon. Mentions	Sen.	The Art Family

 

[More]

Murrah Students Advance to National Speech and Debate Tournament

Murrah High School senior Graeme Campbell and sophomore Alliyah Taylor, members of the Murrah High Speech and Debate team, have qualified for a national speech and debate tournament in Policy Debate. They faced off with teams from across Mississippi at a competition hosted by St. Andrew's Episcopal School in March. The two placed second as a team and earned a chance to compete at the National Forensic League's tournament to be held June 16-21, 2013, in Birmingham, Alabama.

 

Several members of Murrah's Speech and Debate team participated in a national-qualifying tournament at Oak Grove High School on April 6, 2013. Taylor placed 7th in Extemporaneous Speaking. Her sophomore team mates Matthew Sarpong and Grafton Sykes placed 6th in Duo Interpretation. Sarpong and Sykes received an award as 4th alternates to the National Forensic League tournament in Birmingham.

 

The Murrah High Speech and Debate team is 25 members strong and has an active debate participation schedule. Their next tournament is the MHSAA State Championship to be held April 26-27, 2013. Their coaches are Murrah Latin and Debate teacher Micah Everson and English teacher Kandi Bouldin. Membership is open to students in grades 9 through 12. [More]

Casey Educator Named Watson Quality Ford Teacher of the Week

Casey kindergarten teacher Martha Russell was named the Watson Quality Ford Teacher of the Week for April 4, 2013. She has taught at Casey Elementary for 25 years and is known as a patient and kind, but effective disciplinarian. She credits the support of her assistant of 20 years, Ruby Kennedy, for success in the classroom. Together, the two have helped shape the future of thousands of individuals who got their educational beginnings at Casey.

 

Her daughter Carla Snopek was at the school when representatives from Watson Quality Ford presented Russell with a check for $100, a Teacher of the Week trophy, a $25 gift card, and other gifts.

 

Each week, Watson Quality Ford honors a teacher in central Mississippi who has made a difference in the lives of his or her students. Watson Quality Ford and WAPT encourage students, parents, and schools to nominate teachers for the Watson Quality Ford Home Team Teacher of the Week honor. To nominate a teacher, visit WAPT.com. [More]

Green Elementary Featured as WJTV School of the Day

Green Elementary was featured as the WJTV School of the Day for April 2, 2013. Established in 1959, the school is named for former JPS teacher Emma Green. Yavonka McGee is principal of the school which has 456 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Principal McGee prizes community involvement at the school as a "precious" gift to the students there. Male volunteers from adopters New Hope Baptist Church give their time to mentor the boy students at the school. [More]

Watkins Elementary Recycling Program Recognized

Watkins Elementary was named a Top Three Finalist for the 2013 American Forest & Paper Association's School Recycling Award. The program accepts applications for this award from across the country. Each year, the AF&PA Recycling Awards recognize outstanding paper recycling programs in three categories: Business Leadership, Community and School.

Callaway Student Selected to Play in U.S. Army All-American Football Game

Callaway offensive lineman Roderick Taylor has been selected to play in the 2014 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He is one of the top high school offensive linemen in the nation in the 2014 recruiting class. Entering his senior year, Taylor already has scholarship offers from Auburn University, Florida State University, Mississippi State University, University of Alabama, University of California in Los Angeles, University of Georgia, University of Mississippi, University of Southern California, and University of Tennessee. Taylor is a three-year starter for the Callaway Chargers football team and a member of the school's 2013 state championship basketball team. [More]

Callaway's Malik Newman Earns Mr. Basketball Honor

Callaway High School's Malik Newman was named the Clarion-Ledger's 2013 Mr. Basketball. Newman was dubbed the "freshman phenom" by the paper last season when he was the first high school freshman to be named first-team All-State. This year, he is the first sophomore ever recognized as Mr. Basketball. This honor signifies that Newman is the top high school basketball player in Mississippi. In a full-page profile, the paper credits his unusual work ethic, which began when he was much younger, for propelling him to the top of his sport. [More]

2013 Clarion-Ledger All-State Basketball Players

The Clarion-Ledger sports department named the top high school basketball players in Mississippi in its weekend editions published March 30 and 31, 2013. Among them were first team picks Kierra Jordan, a senior forward for the Lanier Lady Bulldogs, and Callaway sophomore standout Malik Newman. Joining them were twelve outstanding JPS athletes named as Honorable Mentions to the All-State lists for basketball.

 

2013 Clarion-Ledger All-State Basketball Players

 

Girls

• Kierra Jordan, Lanier - First Team
• Claresa Banks, Forest Hill
• Alexis Collins, Forest Hill
• Anissa Jackson, Forest Hill
• Aja Williams, Provine

Boys 

• Malik Newman, Callaway - First Team 
• Treshawn Bolden, Callaway
• Javeres Brent, Provine
• Josh Carroll, Murrah
• Jerekius Davis, Provine
• Malik Hines, Murrah
• Jacob Ivory, Murrah
• Dontaveon Robinson, Provine
• D'Angelo West, Provine

[More]

Clarion-Ledger Top Performer for April 1-7, 2013

Girls Track

• Tatyana Lofton, Murrah: Won the shot put (37-5) and the discus (99-9) at the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Invitational.

JPS Middle School Cheer/Drill Team Exhibition a Success

Middle school cheerleader and drill teams got a chance to show off their skills in an exhibition at Kirksey Middle School in March. Participants included cheerleaders and/or drill teams from Bailey APAC, Blackburn, Brinkley, Chastain, Hardy, Kirksey, Northwest, Peeples, and Siwell middle schools. The teams performed choreographed routines before a crowd of spectators in the school's gymnasium. Students received awards for participating in the event. 

 

"All squads that participated were excellent," said Athletics employee Oreda Davis in acknowledging the department's appreciation to all of the performers.

 

The Middle School Cheer/Drill Team Exhibition debuted in JPS in 2011. It has become an annual event, highly anticipated by JPS middle school squads and their fans.

 

Visit the JPS Athletics page for more sports schedules.

JPS Students Hone and Showcase Performance Skills at All-City Choral Music Festival

Hundreds of choral music students from every middle school and high school choir in Jackson Public Schools combined their voices and talents for the district's annual All-City Choral Music Festival held April 3, 2013, at Cardozo Middle School. Each of the combined choirs performed four musical selections.

 

The final concert, featuring the combined high school and middle school choirs, followed two days of intense rehearsals with guest clinicians. Former Murrah High School choral teacher Dr. Doug Browning conducted the high school students, and Dr. Karl Twyner, a former music teacher and administrator who served at several JPS schools, conducted the middle school choir. The choral directors of each JPS middle school and high school also participated in festival events. Accompanying on piano were Earnestine Ross, middle school choir, and LaBethani May, high school choir. [More]

House of Payne Star Motivates Students at JPS Schools

Actress Cassandra "Cassi" Davis, best known for her role as Ella Payne on Tyler Perry's House of Payne, brought excitement to students during her visits to Power APAC Elementary and Forest Hill High Schools March 26, 2013. The Holly Springs, Mississippi, native shared the story of her rise to fame with students and answered their questions about her journey to stardom.

 

Davis' acting career began in 1988 with her role in the Spike Lee film School Daze. Her early television credits include appearances on Living Single, Married... with Children, Kenan & Kel, Boycott, and The PJ's. Davis has done extensive work with director and writer Tyler Perry, and has played many roles in his films and stage plays. Appearances in Tyler Perry productions such as Madea's Family Reunion, Madea Goes to Jail, and Daddy's Little Girls propelled her acting career. [More]

Spann Elementary Heart Ambassadors Hop Out Heart Disease

Spann Elementary Heart Ambassadors hopped for heart health Wednesday, March 28, 2013. The students and teachers at the school participated in a Jump Rope for Heart event to raise funds for the American Heart Association and to bring awareness to heart disease. First through fifth grade students donated $1 to participate in Jump Rope for Heart, and school staff bought "Rock the Beat" T-shirts in their fund raising effort. Liz Young with the American Heart Association spoke to students about the importance of getting regular exercise, eating healthy, and not smoking to maintain a healthy heart. [More]

Timberlawn Students Invite Moms and Dads to Class for Treats

Kindergarten students at Timberlawn Elementary invited their moms and dads to participate in classroom events. On Tuesday, March 5, 2013, the pre-K class hosted Muffins for Moms. All moms and "just like moms" helped students paint flowers on clay pots to be used later as Mother's Day gifts. The students decorated frames to display pictures taken with their moms during the event.

 

Doughnuts for Dads took place on Thursday, March 7, 2013. Lowe's donated Build and Grow Kits to the students to complete with their dads. The dads helped their children use a hammer to build projects such as monster trucks, Kung Fu Panda crafts, and heart spinners. The students also decorated a frame for the dad and son snapshots taken during the festivities. [More]

Walton Ballers Repeat Win in Annual Multiplication Challenge

On Friday, March 22, 2013, Walton Elementary School held its annual Multiplication Challenge against its adopters Mountain Dew. Walton's top fourth grade multipliers, known as the Walton Ballers, made a grand entrance as they challenged the best that The DEW Multipliers had to offer. Serving as judges for the competition were WLBT morning anchor Katina Rankin, Miss Walton Antenisha Jones, and WLBT producer Mandy White. Ultimately, the Walton fourth graders were victorious, defeating their challengers by a score of 56-44 and retaining the trophy for Walton for another year. [More]

IN THIS ISSUE

6:30 p.m. nightly on JPS ITV Comcast Channel 19

 E-mail Dr. Gray

4/11 JPS All-City Music Festival  >>

4/13 JPS Job Fair >>

4/20 Fishing Rodeo >>

4/23 JPS Salute to Scholars >>
4/30 Summer Reading Book Drive Ends >>
4/30 Pre-K Enrollment Ends >>
5/1-6/4 CDC Childcare Enrollment >>  
5/28, 29 High School Graduations >>  

JPS FOUR-POINT PLEDGE:

 

1. Make sure my child is ready and on time for school each day.

2. Meet and exchange phone numbers with my child's teacher.

3. Create a quiet space at home so my child can study at least one hour each night.

4. Check my child's school work and pick up my child's report cards.

 

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