By Max Batchelor

Last week, MES students took special time to remember our country and the victims of the September 11 attacks. We recited the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the National Anthem.

In Mrs. Amy Wilkes' kindergarten class, they have been working really hard! The children have been learning to read and write sight words and then use the words in sentences. Some of them are even beginning to read simple books! During Fire Safety Week, the class made a large "Thank You" card for the McKenzie Fire Department in appreciation of their hard work. Also, they have been studying the fall season. Go by and take a look at their beautiful artwork!

Mrs. Suzanne Howell's third grade class worked on weaving as an art/Social Studies project. After discussing the idea of culture of the Southwestern Anasazi Indian tribe, the students wove items from the culture. Shoestrings, ribbon, yarn, ribbon, candy; Twizzlers, switches and hair were woven into paper looms. Mrs. Suzanne says, "Our culture is certainly lively!"

Fourth graders dissected dicotyledons and owl pellets in the science lab this week. Ms. Sherrie Austin's class has been studying the three stages of matter. They went to the science lab on Friday to study a mystery substance called "obleck." The students were able to touch and hold it in order to decide which characteristics it possessed. They were to conclude whether it was a solid, a liquid, or a gas.

Kiwanis Kids have elected officers for the year. They are President-Kelby McCaleb, Vice-president-John David Russell, Secretary-T.J. Milam, Treasurer-Tommy Sam, and Sergeant-at-arms-Wendy Cude.
 

by McKenzie High School Principal, Terry Howell

The girls' cross-country team ran in the Obion County Cross-Country Meet on Monday, October 8. The girls finished in fourth place with our top four finishers being Julie Smith (25th place), Naomi Street (24th place), and Lucy Snead (32nd place). Sophomore Amber King continued her strong fall season by earning 15th place and a medal. They will compete in the Best of the West meet in Jackson on October 16 at 3:30 P.M. and start tournament competition on October 25 with the district meet in Jackson at 3:00 P.M. at the Agricultural Center. The girls' team is coached by Tenia King and David Duncan.

The B-Team ran its record to 4-0 with a 45-0 defeat of Dresden. The team amassed a 26-0 halftime and coasted to the victory against the out-manned Lions. The team completes its regular schedule with two home games against Huntingdon (October 15) and Bruceton (October 22). These young men will represent us next year at the varsity level. Come out and support them.

The band competed in Union City on Saturday, October 6. Although the band finished fourth against the other competing bands, the percussion earned a second place Finish and the color guard won first in their division. They traveled to Brighton last weekend and returned with nine trophies resulting from their outstanding performances. Receiving a Superior Rating was the MHS Rebel Band Field Commander, Color Guard, Percussion and Whole Band. In Class 2A, the Field Commander placed 3rd, the Color Guard and Whole Band placed 2nd, and the Percussion earned 1st Place. In the Red Division the Whole Band and Color Guard again placed 2nd while the Percussion earned 1st Place. The Grand Champion of all events went to the MHS Percussion! We are extremely proud of these young people and the hard work they have obviously done that enabled them to receive these honors. They will end their regular competition season at Cheatham County.

The varsity football team defeated an outmanned Chester County team last Friday by a score of 47-8. Senior offensive lineman and kick-off team member Jonathan Gaskins began the scoring ten seconds into the game by recouping an aborted onside kick and racing for the score. Although the Eagles scored on their first possession, the Rebels had their way and ran the score to 34-8 at halftime. Many of our younger players performed in the second half and stretched the eventual outcome to 47-8. The Rebels remained undefeated in Region 6-AA action against the Eagles with the Region 6-AA Championship on the line against Huntingdon in the season finale on October 26.

This week our varsity football team will play at home against Lexington High School. This Friday will be Senior Night for our cheerleaders, band, and players. I encourage all fans of our various programs to come out and recognize these young people who have made so many contributions to our school and have spent countless hours in education. We will recognize all of these students and their parents at 7:00 P.M. on Friday.

Report cards will be issued this week on Wednesday, October 17. These grades reflect the overall average for the first nine weeks. Since these grades essentially represent mid-term, parents and students should take them seriously. Any failing grade should be followed by a call to the teacher or by a conference with the teacher. Even though students may take eight (8) courses per year, to fail a single class may put them at risk to not earn a diploma in the traditional four-year span.

Ms. Herrin and the guidance department will sponsor three upcoming standardized tests for our students to take. On Saturday, October 20, students may take the P-SAT. This is a preliminary test for the Scholastic Aptitude Test and qualifies students who score high for the National Merit Scholarship Program. The test will be given at 8:00 A.M. in the library. Cost for the test is $9.50 and should be addressed immediately as we have limited slots and tests available. The P-SAT is primarily for members of the junior class although sophomores may take the test also. On Saturday, November 3, at 8:00 A.M., sophomores may take the PLAN test. This test is a precursor and good predictor of the ACT which most of our juniors take to satisfy state requirements for graduation. The cost is $8.25 and is payable to McKenzie High School. See Ms. Herrin for details of either test. The final testing opportunity is the ASVAB which is administered by the United State military. The ASVAB is an excellent indicator of aptitude and provides a wealth of feedback regarding student skills and individual talents of our students. Ms. Herrin and military officials review the results with out juniors who may take the test. This lengthy exam is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20, from 8:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. All juniors are encouraged to take this exam.

Again for your information, Officer Jackie Sykes will begin his Parenting Program on October 16. This class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout October beginning at 7:00 P.M. in the high school library. Any parent in the McKenzie community is invited to take advantage of this opportunity to learn the some proven parenting skills and to refine those they may already have.

On October 24th and 25th, we will have the state-mandated T-Cap Competency Tests for those who have not passed them previously. Repeaters of the math portion will take that exam on October 24. For those who are repeating the language arts portion, the test will administered on October 25. Our sophomore, junior, and senior classes must have passed this state-required test to receive a regular diploma. For our freshman class, these students must pass three Gateway exams in Algebra I, Biology I, and English II. Students in biology for technology will also take the Biology I test for Gateway purposes. According to state law, schools will use the results of the Gateway as a portion of students' overall grade in the course being tested. Students cannot be exempt from the state Gateway exams. The school is working on the value of each correct response and the percentage that the Gateway test will count toward the overall grade. The two Gateways involving freshmen are scheduled for December 11 and 12.

School will not be in session on Monday, October 22. Teachers will meet for their fall Professional Development Day. This day will be dedicated to working on the School Improvement Plan which must be completed and turned into the state by December 15. The School Improvement Plan examines the vision and mission of the school to set goals for the next two years. The goals are to be student-centered and data-driven. We have results from various sources including student, parent, and faculty surveys; state testing results; and input from community resources to finalize goals, interventions, and strategies.