The school bell will soon be ringing, and Magee High School’s new principal, Dr. Tom Duncan, is ready to go to work.
Duncan said teachers will report to school on August 1 and students will start August 7.
Registration will be held on July 27 from 3 until 6 p.m. New students will need to supply two different proofs of residency, and students entering seventh grade will also need updated vaccination records.
To register, Magee High School students should report to the library, and Magee Middle School students should report to the school. They will be able to get a copy of their schedules for the upcoming school year.
“Dr. Tom,” as many former students call him, had excitement in his voice as he discussed the upcoming school year. He said he expects to see a new spirit at the school that will be reflected in the feelings of the staff and faculty.
He reports that MHS is currently 100 percent staffed for the year except for one hire not yet approved, but he has that prospective faculty member working to complete final requirements.
Duncan said they are adopting the motto of the Three Rs--Respect, Responsibility and Ready to Learn.
Students will be shown respect, he said, and in return they will be expected to show it to other students, faculty and staff.
Duncan said the students as well as the staff will be “responsible” and once this is accomplished they need to be “ready to learn because their teachers are going to be ready to teach.
Dr. Duncan has met with most students who had discipline issues last year and expects there to be fewer discipline issues going foward. He said, however, that certain standards are going to be met.
He said that students having sexual relations will not be tolerated. That will be an expulsion issue. He said there will be zero tolerance for drugs, which will be dealt with by law enforcement as well as youth court.
If students choose to fight on campus they will be dealt with by the law and youth court.
He said, “There just isn’t any latitude in these specific issues, but I am hopeful after explaining my position to students that these situations will be minimal.”
Duncan reports that schools have installed cameras on campus to monitor and provide safety and security for everyone there.
He said students would see many new faculty faces on campus and that he is excited about members of the new English Department.
He said he enlisted Pam Rodgers, who taught in the Texas school system where students are trained for progression past high school. Jillian Etheridge, a recent graduate of USM, has been added to the staff, so there will be a good understanding of what is needed from the student perspective. Bailey Williamson will teach Freshman English and offer additional specialized individual instruction through a program called Language Live. Half of the students will be working on computer skills while the other half will be getting individual instruction to improve their skill level. Williamson will also be the new cheerleader sponsor. Teacher Ruth Allen will help focus on writing essays and college literacy courses.
Duncan said they would go back to having hall monitors during the change of classes. They are also adopting the 10-10 rule meaning no one would be outside of the classroom during the first 10 minutes of class nor the last 10 minutes of class. This will provide a higher level of accountability for students and teachers, he said.
Students will participate in a Modified A B Block Schedule as approved by the school district. They will attend all eight periods on Mondays, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they will attend the third, fifth and seventh periods. On Wednesdays and Fridays they will attend classes scheduled for second, fourth, sixth and eighth periods.
Dr. Duncan said there will be a focus on helping students land scholarships when they graduate. New nationally certified counselor Kelly Anderson will work with students on writing essays so they will know what is expected to qualify for scholarships when they graduate.
Duncan predicts that the MHS girls athletic programs will yield a state championship. David Tadlock has been hired as the new girls head softball coach, and Mary Lewis is the new volleyball coach.
Meanwhile the staff is making preparations to start the new year off with a bang as they prepare to welcome students back in a few short days.
