Black and Gold Thursday in Starkville! Show your spirit Jacket Nation! And Pass It On!

Celebrate the Jackets Championship! Mayor Parker Wiseman has declared Thursday Black and Gold Day in Starkville!

Championship Parade will begin at 4 pm. Lineup is in the Starkville Daily News parking lot. Parade will head north on Jackson, west on Main and south on Louisville, ending on Yellowjacket Drive at SHS. Victory Rally will begin at 4:30 pm or immediately following the parade at SHS in The Beehive.

Pick up your children from school and head to Main Street to wave to the team! And then join us in The Beehive for a Victory Rally!

Special thanks to Parents for Public Schools, City of Starkville, and Greater Starkville Development Partnership for facilitating and organizing the celebration. It would not have happened without their support!

The proclamation from the Mayor is below:

A RESOLUTION CONGRATULATING THE STARKVILLE HIGH SCHOOL “YELLOWJACKETS” BOYS
BASKETBALL TEAM FOR WINNING THE CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AT THE MHSAA
STATE TOURNAMENT

WHEREAS, the Starkville High School “Yellowjackets” Boys Basketball
Team slam dunked the Class 6A State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the “Jackets” beat Meridian 57-51 to capture the school’s
first state title since 1961; and

WHEREAS, Rashad Perkins, Dandy Dozen senior, earned the Cellular South
Player of the Game award for his double-double of 25 points and 14 rebounds;
and

WHEREAS, Perkins and fellow teammate, Edward Townsel, were named to the
All Tournament Team for their showcase of athleticism and leadership during
the tournament; and

WHEREAS, the determination of the championship team to bring home the
Gold Ball trophy is matched by the dedication of Head Coach Greg Carter, who
has given each student athlete great confidence in their talents and
abilities; and

WHEREAS, the championship Yellowjacket Basketball Team is as follows:
Rashad Perkins, Edward Townsel, Keon McKinney, Michael Brand, Nathan Ball,
Shaquille Hill, Steven Brand, Gavin Ware, Brandon Johnson, Calvin Young,
Jaquez Johnson and Tory Rice; and

WHEREAS, the Yellowjackets demonstrate good sportsmanship in victory,
and each player displays a positive attitude and winning spirit, bringing
great pride and honor to Starkville High School and their community:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED I, PARKER WISEMAN, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF
STARKVILLE, MISSISSIPPI, do hereby congratulate the Starkville High School
“Yellowjackets” Boys Basketball Team and Head Coach Greg Carter on their
extraordinary victory in the State 6A Championship, declare Thursday, March
11, 2010 Black and Gold Thursday in Starkville, and encourage the Starkville
community to show their support for this talented team during the
Championship Celebration Parade and Victory Rally.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Head Coach
Greg Carter, Athletic Director Bill Lee, Starkville High School Principal Keith Fennell and Starkville School District Superintendent Judy Couey on this 11th day of March in the year 2010.

Parents plan to sue school district over uniforms

Received this last night:

A group of concerned parents and citizens of Starkville are challenging a recent decision by the Starkville School Board to require mandatory uniforms for all students. Parents, students, community members, and other Starkville School District stakeholders who disagree with the School Board’s decision are welcome to participate in this legal challenge.

Lawyers will be in Starkville to obtain names and signatures for affidavits of anyone interested in joining the appeal (the appeal documents will be at the meeting for your review and questions). Each person will sign separately, not as a family. Parents must sign for minors under 16. This is your ONLY chance to be part of this case. If a family can afford to help with lawyer costs, donations of $50 per family are welcomed, but NOT required.

Thursday, March 11, 2010
Starkville Parks & Rec Sportsplex, Conference Room
6:00 – 8:00 pm

This meeting will be come and go; there is no requirement to stay the full two hours or to arrive at any certain time. There is no commitment level beyond your signature stating that you agree with the legal challenge.

This is the only chance for YOU to be a part of this case. State law mandates that as a community we have 10 days to file an appeal of the School Board’s decision. The complaint will be filed in the Oktibbeha Circuit Court on Friday, March 12. After that date no additional parties can be accepted.

Support our students, families and community by coming to the Sportsplex on Thursday night!

CD: First lady recognizes Starkville schools

TIM PRATT

First Lady Michelle Obama gave kudos to the Starkville School District Wednesday for its efforts to improve the health of city students.

During a speech at Brinkley Middle School in Jackson, Obama encouraged students to pursue healthier lives and recognized the Starkville School District’s removal of deep fryers from school cafeterias as a step toward achieving that goal.

“Here in Mississippi, another thing that’s happened is that they’ve taken fryers out of the school and put in more ovens, right?” Obama said to a round of applause. “And just imagine, just because of that, in Starkville, two schools in that area, they’ve cut out about 3 million calories — 3 million calories — just by not having fried potatoes. Those are the kind of little things that make a difference.”

Although fryers actually were removed from three schools in the Starkville School District, not two, district officials were thrilled with Obama’s comments.

“It is quite an honor to be recognized for the effort,” district Director of Child Nutrition Beverly Lowry said. “And I think the fact that she said even the small things make a difference, I mean, when you look at french fries every day, the small things do add up. That’s a lot of calories.”

The fryers were removed from Starkville High School, Armstrong Middle School and Sudduth Elementary School, and replaced with combi ovens, which use steam, hot air, or a combination of both to prepare food. Costing about $35,000 per unit, the Starkville High School combi oven was paid for with a John D. Bower Foundation grant, while the ovens at Armstrong and Sudduth were paid for with district Child Nutrition Department funds, Lowry said.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Taylor leaves after 10 years on Starkville school board

BONNIE COBLENTZ

Board president Walter Taylor received a send-off party Tuesday night after serving 10 years on the Starkville School District board of directors.

The school district hosted a reception in the Greensboro Center before the regularly scheduled board meeting. Current and past board members, central office staff, teachers, family and friends came to wish Taylor well.

Superintendent Judy Couey called it “a mixed emotion occasion” as she thanked him for his service.

“When you serve on a school board, your life has been irrevocably changed,” Couey said, referring to the time it takes and the demands it places on family and schedules.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Starkville school board adjusts policy on public input

BONNIE COBLENTZ

The Starkville School District board may have said one thing in their business meeting Tuesday night but did another.

The board approved amendments to two policies that govern when their meeting agendas are drawn up and available to the public and how the public can participate in board meetings. This action came shortly after the board voted unanimously for a policy that 10 speakers and a room and hall full of people were opposed to.

Muttered comments heard in the crowd as the public involvement policies were being discussed indicated that at least some of those present thought they saw a discrepancy between the board’s words and actions.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: Starkville city school board votes for school uniforms

BONNIE COBLENTZ

Ten speakers and a full house showed up in polite and well-argued opposition to school uniforms, but the Starkville School District went against the apparent majority and voted unanimously on what they’re calling a dress code policy.

Despite previous split votes, all five board members agreed to require all students to wear what is commonly referred to as school uniforms. Pickett Wilson made the motion, which was seconded by Eddie Myles.

Before the vote, Carrie Copeland, Sarah and Martin Coleman, Jennifer Burgess, Jonita Thompson, Rosiland Ashford, Kate Fabel, Renee Matich, Sally Gray and Ralph Olivieri all addressed the board in opposition to uniforms. Major points of their remarks include:

Copeland — Thinks there are better ways to address school safety, such as closing campuses with fence and locking doors. The cost of uniforms will be a burden to many families. The district’s existing dress code has only been in place for four years, and that is not being followed closely.

Sarah Coleman — “When I put it all together, I don’t see that the benefits are outweighing the costs.” Many families, especially those with multiple children, use hand-me-downs and buy used clothing. Uniforms will be an unfair burden to them.

Martin Coleman — Is a high school counselor at a neighboring school district that requires uniforms. He keeps socks in his office to help students out of uniform not get in trouble. A true uniform policy must be black and white and leave no room for judgement calls. “If someone wanted to come on our campus, all they have to do is wear the perfect uniform.” And the focus on uniforms means “we’re really not talking about relevant things.”

Burgess — Look at other alternatives to improve school safety. Raised questions about style versus color and how uniforms will be useful for identification when students are wearing coats on the playground and before and after school. Suggested if the board wants to require uniforms, they start with one clothing item like a shirt and evaluate effectiveness in a year. “We have a dress code in place. I would like to see it enforced.”

Thompson — Found that buying just five pairs of pants each for her three boys would cost about $240, “something I do not have.” Shops all year for sales and off-season bargains to dress her boys cost-effectively. Uniforms will have to be bought all at once at full price.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

Uniforms pass

The Starkville School board voted 5-0 to pass the amended dress code that requires uniforms.

CD: County schools prepare for better state testing

BONNIE COBLENTZ

STARKVILLE — Board members heard about plans being made and action taken to address academic performance in the Oktibbeha County School District as they prepare for state testing that begins in late March.

The county school district has been labeled “at risk of failing” by the Mississippi Department of Education For perspective, the Starkville School District ranks just two steps higher at “academic watch.”

The board took up the matter of the 2010 state testing and the West Oktibbeha County High School’s improvement plan. They also spent some time discussing problems with the district’s energy savings contract they have with Johnson Controls.

Jerome Smith, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, had good news and bad news for the board regarding progress made to prepare students for the upcoming state tests.

“Three of four schools improved, but one school dropped,” Smith said, referring to student performance on the most recent round of practice tests.

Superintendent James Covington indicated the school that dropped was East Oktibbeha County High School.

“On the first test, they blew it out of the water, so we know they can do it,” Covington said. “We just need to find the incentive to make them want to do it” on the real test.

Smith identified four groups of consultants and specialists who are working with teachers and district staff to address the areas where students performed the lowest.

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

CD: County schools may rethink school uniform policy

BONNIE COBLENTZ

Oktibbeha County school board members postponed their decision whether to allow students out of uniform as a reward so they can decide if the district will continue with a school uniform policy.

The board met Monday night for its regular meeting, and Cynthia Ward was the only board member absent. The bulk of the meeting dealt with testing and school performance issues, and the uniform question came up in these discussions.

The issue came up when the board tabled the request to approve the West Oktibbeha County Elementary School’s performance contract. Principal Andrea Pastchal-Temple’s proposed contract would reward high performing students with incentives that include a trip to Six Flags Over Georgia and the option to not wear a uniform on certain days.

The board said the proposed incentive plan would allow students who score as proficient on the state tests in the spring to wear non-uniform but appropriate school clothes every other Friday during the coming school year. Those who score advanced on the state tests would be allowed out of uniform every Friday.

“If telling a kid you can wear whatever you want within reason if you score proficient or beyond — and we’re all about test scores — if that gets them to do it, then I have no problem with it,” Superintendent James Covington said.

He suggested the incentive could be tried for a time to see if it works.

“That alone is not going to do it,” Covington said, explaining that this incentive would not improve test scores but reward performance. “Give it a shot. If it doesn’t work or gets out of hand, we know how to get it back.”

Read complete article at Commercial Dispatch.

Uniforms- contrast by district

FWIW, the Oktibehha County School District is considering allowing students the ability to not wear uniforms on Fridays if they score high enough on tests as a reward.

From the Dispatch:

The board said the proposed incentive plan would allow students who score as proficient on the state tests in the spring to wear non-uniform but appropriate school clothes every other Friday during the coming school year. Those who score advanced on the state tests would be allowed out of uniform every Friday.

“If telling a kid you can wear whatever you want within reason if you score proficient or beyond — and we’re all about test scores — if that gets them to do it, then I have no problem with it,” Superintendent James Covington said.

He suggested the incentive could be tried for a time to see if it works.

“That alone is not going to do it,” Covington said, explaining that this incentive would not improve test scores but reward performance. “Give it a shot. If it doesn’t work or gets out of hand, we know how to get it back.”

At one point in the discussion, he also commented on the status of uniform use in the district.

“They’re not in uniform now,” Covington said of students.

He said while navy blue pants are a fairly standard color, there is wide range in the colors that can be considered khaki. Also, many shirts that started off white when school began started to turn yellow after being worn by kids.

One district sees uniforms as a quasi-punishment. The Starkville District sees it a completely different way.

Interesting.

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