The first day of in-service for teachers is August 1. The students return on August 8, for 1/2 day. August 9 will be the first full day of school. Several other dates to keep in mind are the fifth grade open house on August 16 and the junior high football jamboree on August 18.
 
The dress code for the 2001-2002 school year at McKenzie Middle School will be as follows:
1) Articles of clothing will be worn with intended style and manner.
2) Hair should be worn neat and well groomed. The coloring of hair that distracts from the attention of students in class is not allowed. Facial hair is not acceptable for middle school boys.
3) Unacceptable school dress for girls includes, but is not limited to: tight tops or pants, tops that bare the midriff, low cut tops, transparent clothing of any king, sleeveless tops, shorts, skirts or dresses worn above the knee and hats.
4) Unacceptable school dress for boys includes, but is not limited to: tight tops or pants, sleeveless shirts, unbuttoned shirts, tops that bare the midriff, transparent clothing of any kind, shorts worn above the knee, and hats.
5) Any clothing that displays or advertises substances that are illegal by law for minors or is suggestive in nature will not be worn. This also applies to clothing that suggests violence, gang relationship, or is racially insensitive.
6) Piercing of the ears will be permitted. However, piercing of any other parts of the body is unacceptable.
7) Sagging of pants will not be allowed.
8) Backpacks and gym bags will be kept in lockers between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Students may carry gym bags to and from P. E. classes only.
  
As always there are school supplies to be purchased. The supply list for each grade follows:
FIFTH GRADE SUPPLY LIST: Four pocket folders (red,yellow, green, blue, or purple); pencils (absolutely no mechanical pencils or pen in fifth grade); scissors; glue (not paste); magic markers; crayons; coloring pencils; ruler; six spiral notebook (wide, not college rule) and six dry erase markers.
SIXTH GRADE SUPPLY LIST: Math: one folder with pockets, one large spiral notebook, pencils; Language Arts: 3-ring notebook (11/2 to 2 inches wide); one package of dividers; loose leaf paper (wide-ruled) pencils; Social Studies: colored pencils, crayons and/or markers, folders with pockets and middle insert, loose-leaf paper (wide-ruled), pencils; Science: 3-ring notebook, loose leaf paper, pencils, colored pencils, scissors, glue stick, magic markers, pencil pouch, ruler (inches and metric), pencil trimmer with cover, $5.00 lab fee. NOTE: Each item on the list must be purchased. Items in one class cannot be used for another class. Only wooden pencils may be used in any sixth grade classroom. No mechanical or lead pencils will be allowed.
SEVENTH GRADE SUPPLY LIST: Language Arts: Pencils (#2 lead); pens (blue or black ink only); notebook (3-ring binder); loose-leaf paper; highlighters; journal or composition book (the cover is mostly black with some white specks); Math: Pencils (#2 lead), 2-pocket folder, loose-leaf paper; Science: Pencils (#2 lead), pens (blue or black ink only), notebook (3-ring binder), loose leaf paper, dividers with tabs, coloring pencils; Social Studies: pencils (#2 lead), 2-pocket folder, and loose leaf paper.
EIGHTH GRADE SUPPLY LIST: Language Arts: 2 folders with pockets and binders, pens (blue or black only), pencils, loose leaf paper, journal or composition book (the cover is mostly black with some white specks); Math: pencils, folder with pockets and binder; Science: three-ring binder, loose leaf paper (no spiral notebook), pen/pencil; $5.00 lab fee; Social Studies: folder with pockets, loose leaf paper (no spiral notebook), pens (blue or black)/pencils, colored pencils or markers.
DRIGGER'S SUPPLY LIST: Pencils, paper, folders with pockets, colored pencils.
 

"He does things in such a way," Dean McGuire said, "that people are respected and included in the process." Bethel President Robert Prosser observed, "Mr. Stewart has a rich variety of experiences that make him a natural choice to provide administrative oversight to this important area of the life of Bethel College. He has experience as a successful Enrollment Management Director. He has been an Athletic Director and a coach. He has served as Dean of Students both at Bethel and Mary Holmes College in West Point, Mississippi before coming to Bethel. He knows and appreciates church related higher education as a student in a church related college and as an administrator.

Mr. Stewart received his Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies Composite from the University of the Ozarks and his Master's of Education Degree in Guidance and Counseling with an emphasis on student personnel services from Mississippi State University. He has served as the West Point, Mississippi PTA president, a member of the Bryan Library Board of Directors, a member of the Drug Research Education Association of Mississippi, a ten-year volunteer soccer coach with the West Point Recreation Department, Chairman of the West Point Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, and president of the Clay County Boys and Girls Club.

One thing Mr. Stewart will have to give up as he assumes his new administrative responsibilities is being head coach of the Wildcat men's soccer team. This is especially difficult to comtemplate this year, as he believes this year's team should be a conference contender and may even have possibilities for national recognition. Mr. Stewart's teams have always been known for their performance on and off the field. His 1996 team was the National Junior College Academic Team of the Year. This year's team will bear his recruiting stamp but his support of the team will be from the bleachers this year instead of the bench.