JPS KEY COMMUNICATOR
September 2017
SPOTLIGHT
MURRAH SENIORS NAMED NATIONAL MERIT SEMIFINALISTS

Three Murrah High School students were named National Merit Semifinalists for 2018: Oluwatosin Akinyemi, Dyshante Bennett, and Sophia Bowley. These scholars were among 16,000 Semifinalists in the 63rd National Merit Scholarship Program. They have a chance to advance in the competition for some 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $32 million.
BAILEY APAC SCHOLAR BRIYANA JACKSON WRITES ABOUT HER FAMILY

Bailey APAC Middle School sixth-grader Briyana Jackson has published a book. Entitled "A Look At My Life." The 11-year-old author introduces readers to her life as a twin and big sister. She also shares how her family has endured challenges and remained strong.

JPS JROTC CADET SELECTED TO SERVE ON FEMA YOUTH COUNCIL

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) selected Ruben M. Banks, a junior JROTC cadet at Jim Hill High, as one of 15 national selectees for the 2017-2019 Youth Preparedness Council (YPC). He joined this cadre at the YPC Summit in Washington, D.C., which was held this past summer. 
NEWS
SUMMER READERS CELEBRATE AT MISSISSIPPI CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

Hundreds of JPS students gathered at the Mississippi Children's Museum for the 2017 Summer Reading Celebration held Thursday, September 7. Congratulations to top readers:
Jamondre Oatis, Elementary; Rayjohn Oatis, Elementary; Parker Henson, Middle School; and Amber Wheat, High School. 
SIEMENS MAKES $35,000 DONATION TO JPS FOR STEM LEARNING

Siemens Technologies presented a check for $35,000 to Jackson Public Schools as it announced a partnership aimed at supporting the development of a STEM ecosystem in JPS schools. Presenting on behalf of Siemens were Matt Ridley, Senior Account Executive and Charlie Cohen, National Director of Sustainability Education. 
A-TEAAM MENTORING PROGRAM RETURNS TO JPS MIDDLE SCHOOLS

The Ambassadors of the Evers Academy for African-American Males (A-TEAAM) held its 2017-2018 kickoff event in August at Blackburn Laboratory Middle School. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba who was in attendance will serve as honorary chairman of the program. 
$2.5 MILLION APPROVED BY CITY AND JPS BOARD FOR FACILITIES

The Jackson Public School District issued $2.5 million in Limited Tax Notes to provide funding for various renovation and construction projects in the District. Some of the work may include Americans with Disabilities Act projects and other repairs at Wingfield High and Brinkley Middle.
PPSJ AND JPS CELEBRATE FIVE OUTSTANDING EDUCATORS

Parents for Public Schools of Jackson (PPSJ) and the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson honored five JPS teachers as Outstanding Educators: Tonia Rounds, Walton; Samantha Kimble, Casey; Jessica Pettie, Green; Aileen Sanchez, Raines; and Vicki Latham, Spann.
15 SCHOOLS TO SHARE $123,000 IN GRANTS FOR STUDENT ENRICHMENT

The Junior League of Jackson presented a check for $123,321.93 to JPS schools. This represents a 22 percent increase in funding from last year.  The grants will fund 20 teacher, team, or school projects designed to enhance instruction at 15 different JPS schools.
MISSISSIPPI CODING ACADEMIES TO DELIVER TECH SKILLS TO JPS GRADS

Mississippi Coding Academies will start a program in Jackson in October. Between 20-30 students, many of them recent JPS graduates, will make up the inaugural class. These students will take part in an 11-month, tuition-free intensive education program in the high-demand field of coding.   
ANNOUNCEMENTS
SCHOOL BUS SAFETYWEEK
OCTOBER 16-20
BOARD HIGHLIGHTS
SEPTEMBER 5, 2017
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by LaDarrian Carter, a junior at Provine High School. He is on the football and baseball teams. He is also a Leader Education Trainer in the JROTC. He wants to enlist in the military and pursue a degree in medicine.
MOMENT OF INSPIRATION
Minister Brian Gray is a 2014 alumnus of Jim Hill High School. He is the proud son of Pennie Banks and Isaac Gray. He serves as the Son of the House at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church. He also enjoys recording music and playing the piano.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2017
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Natalia Rangel, a sophomore at Wingfield High School. She is part of the school's mentoring program helping her peers to get acclimated to the Wingfield Way. She aspires to become a bilingual educator and plans to attend the University of Florida.
MOMENT OF INSPIRATION
Rev. Ronnie C. Crudup Sr. is the senior pastor of the Horizon Church International which he started in 1987. He has celebrated over 40 years of sharing his life with First Lady Jacqueline Crudup. They have four adult children and eight grandchildren.
JPS SCHOOL BOARD 


Ms. Camille Simms
Acting President
Mr. Rickey Jones
Secretary
Mr. Jed Oppenheim
Member
Ms. Letitia Johnson
Member

SUPERINTENDENT
 
Dr. Freddrick Murray
Interim Superintendent
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