| Magee Courier-Simpson County News

The Gertrude C. Ford Student Union at University of Mississippi's campus in Oxford. Credit: Molly Minta/Mississippi Today

UM faculty senate latest to oppose anti-CRT legislation

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Wed, 02/23/2022 - 03:02 PM

As the Legislature considers a bill that would ban the teaching of critical race theory, the University of Mississippi’s faculty senate voted Wednesday to oppose efforts by lawmakers “that target academic discussions of racism and related issues in American history in schools, colleges and universities.”

The resolution passed, 32-8, following about an hour of debate over whether to include language that some felt went beyond the purview of the faculty senate to speak on

Carmen Walters, left, president of Tougaloo College, announces a $10 million gift from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, right, on Feb. 21, 2022. Credit: Molly Minta/Mississippi Today

Netflix CEO donates $10 million to Tougaloo College

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Mon, 02/21/2022 - 04:24 PM

Tougaloo College announced a $10 million donation to fund scholarships for low-income students from Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and his wife Patty Quillin as part of the pair’s efforts to financially support historically Black colleges.

The donation will be shared equally with Brown University, Carmen Walters, Tougaloo’s president, said at a press conference on Monday.

MDE providing 15 math coaches to 30 schools to aid teachers, improve student outcomes

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Fri, 02/18/2022 - 01:24 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) will provide 15 new math coaches to 30 K-8 public schools beginning Feb. 22, to provide instructional support to teachers and improve student outcomes.

MDE: Mississippi’s high school graduation rate highest ever at 88.4%; Dropout rate falls to 8.5%

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Fri, 02/18/2022 - 01:00 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) released today the 2020-21 school year graduation and dropout rates, which reflect the highest statewide graduation rate of 88.4% and the lowest statewide dropout rate of 8.5%.

Rates are based on students who entered ninth grade for the first time during the 2017-18 school year. Among students with disabilities, the graduation rate increased to 59.9%, and the dropout rate was 18.4%.

Students attend classes on the first day of school in the Cleveland School District, Monday, August 9, 2021. All students and staff were required to wear masks. Credit: Vickie D. King/Mississippi Today

Free telehealth services coming to Mississippi public schools this fall

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Fri, 02/18/2022 - 11:12 AM

Mississippi public schools will have access to mental and health care services for students for free as soon as August, education officials announced Thursday.

The Mississippi Department of Education approved a $17.6 million grant for telehealth and teletherapy services available within schools provided by the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

The Department of Education initially planned to begin with a pilot program, but then decided to launch the program statewide instead.

Alcorn alumni ask university to respond to allegations of widespread issues on campus

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Thu, 02/17/2022 - 06:36 PM

A report by a group of Alcorn State University alumni alleges widespread issues contributed to falling enrollment and dozens of employee resignations in the last year at the nation’s oldest historically Black land grant university.

Alcornites for Change is now calling on the president, Felecia Nave, and her administration to address their concerns at next month’s mid-winter conference, an annual gathering of national alumni chapters, in Atlanta, Ga.

MDE expands Licensure Call Center to better assist educators

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Thu, 02/17/2022 - 02:36 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) expanded its Licensure Call Center Feb. 1, with longer hours and additional customer service representatives to better assist prospective and current educators.

MDE: Applications now open to Mississippi Teacher Residency program for aspiring educators seeking master’s degree in elementary and special education

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Thu, 02/17/2022 - 02:24 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

Applications to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) Mississippi Teacher Residency (MTR) program are now available for aspiring educators seeking a graduate degree in elementary and special education.

Coop D’Ville to host open house March 5

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Tue, 02/15/2022 - 02:36 PM

Coop D’ville Tanning Salon is hosting an open house to show off the most recent expansion of the shop. It will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 5. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy refreshments and register to win door prizes,
Since opening Coop D’ville Tanning Salon in Magee in 2011, owner Brenda Cooper’s business has flourished and continues to do so even today as they have just completed their third expansion.

Churches host senior adult event

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Tue, 02/15/2022 - 02:34 PM

A Senior Adult Revival held February 7 – 10, wrapped up last Thursday morning at Goodwater Baptist Church with the final guest speaker, Dr. Joe McKeever.
According to Bro. Jason Webb, pastor of Goodwater, the revival was an experiment of his and Bro. Adam Wyatt’s, pastor of Corinth Baptist Church. Bro. Johnny Sykes with the Simpson Baptist Association also participated.

Mississippi State University students wait for class to start. Credit: Molly Minta/Mississippi Today

University of Mississippi, Mississippi State drop mask mandates

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Mon, 02/14/2022 - 04:24 PM

Mississippi’s two largest universities announced modified mask mandates late Friday afternoon.

Masks are now optional at University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University except in healthcare and instructional settings, such as classrooms, labs and studios. UM cited updated guidance from the Mississippi Department of Health, as well as declining metrics such as case numbers and positivity rates, as factors in the adjusted protocol.

Critical race theory in Mississippi, explained

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Mon, 02/14/2022 - 09:06 AM

‘We are undeterred’: How Mississippi’s oldest HBCU responded to the bomb threats

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Fri, 02/11/2022 - 09:06 AM

Ivy Taylor was in Jackson on Tuesday, Feb. 1, three hours away from Rust College, the small historically Black college in Holly Springs where she is president. She woke up early to prepare for a meeting of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. She brushed her teeth and washed her face. Then she got the call.

MDE: Two Mississippi teachers receive Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching

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Thu, 02/10/2022 - 02:06 PM

Below is a press release from the Mississippi Department of Education:

Two Mississippi teachers earned national recognition this week as recipients of the 2020 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

Sam Pollard Sr. talks Dec. 26, 2021, about losing his son to gun violence while reflecting on life in west Jackson. Charles A. Smith/MCIR

MCIR: Trauma of violence reverberates among youth

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Wed, 02/09/2022 - 11:24 AM

Fun-loving Sam Pollard Jr. won friends in his Jackson community but he had serious dreams of owning his own home.

Those dreams ended abruptly Feb. 25, 2021, when a close friend shot the 32-year-old dead on North Prentiss Street in west Jackson, leaving Pollard’s three children – two girls and a boy – to bear the trauma of violence that has scarred so many youth in Mississippi’s capital city.

Pollard Sr. said his son floated in and out of “the wrong path”.

SCA Teachers of the Month

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Tue, 02/08/2022 - 02:50 PM

Simpson Academy teachers
of the month
for January:

Lynn Hubbard
7th & 8th grade English

Kari Purvis
2nd grade

Craft January Teacher of the Month

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Tue, 02/08/2022 - 02:48 PM

Magee High School celebrated the January Teacher of the Month, Kirby Craft. He was presented $100 courtesy of PriorityOne Bank. School faculty and administration thanked PriorityOne Bank for honoring teachers in this way. Mr. Craft teaches Advanced math and geometry and also drives a bus. At the presentation are, from left, Vice-President-Branch Manager Susan Herrington, Craft, and Kayla Ware, Customer Service Representative.

Dr. Holloway discusses consolidation and school board

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Tue, 02/08/2022 - 02:13 PM

In a recent interview concerning the March 29 vote on a bond issue that would fund a new consolidated high school, Simpson County School Superintendent Dr. Toriano Holloway said emphatically that he hopes the bond issue will pass so that a complete educational opportunity would be available for the children of Simpson County.

Conrats Magee Seniors

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Tue, 02/08/2022 - 02:09 PM

Congratulations to six Magee High School seniors on signing athletic and academic scholarships to further their education. From left, front row, James Floyd, Alyssa Payne, Jody Durr; back row, Jamaal Dinkins, Jameyian Spencer and Jaylen Hicks.

Mississippi Stories: Beth Ann Fennelly

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Mon, 02/07/2022 - 10:48 AM

In this episode of Mississippi Stories, esteemed 2016 – 2021 Mississippi Poet Laureate, author and Ole Miss professor Beth Ann Fennelly sits down with Mississippi Today Editor-At-Large Marshall Ramsey to talk about her writing, creativity and how she plows through setbacks.

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