| |
| |
|
By MHS Principal Terry Howell |
| |
Last week teachers participated in several worthwhile
in-service opportunities for the purpose of professional
growth. One key initiative this year will be the
formation of Whole Faculty Study Groups. These groups
will be comprised of 3-6 teachers for the purpose of
taking data, identifying student needs, and developing
an action plan to have a positive impact on students'
lives. The program has the added bonus of using a
classroom as a laboratory to explore the effects of
teaching in learning and to use best practices in
education.
The five groups that we formed last week will meet
every two to three weeks and study their chosen topic
which include the general topics of character, ethics,
and responsibility; team member building; critical
thinking; effects of extracurricular activities on
student performance; and reading, vocabulary
development, and motivating the reluctant reader.
I am excited about the prospect of these groups
producing quality research and sharing with the rest of
the faculty their findings. Teachers will model to
students the need to be life-long learners. This program
reflects that concept with our professional staff.
A second in-service activity that will have yearlong
repercussions is our preparation for the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools five-year visitation
in April, 2003. McKenzie High School has been a
SACS-accredited school since 1954, and we are proud of
our long association in this prestigious organization.
During in-service we took our School Improvement Plan
that was completed in December, 2001 and began updating
data, examining the five major components of the plan,
and planning what stages to work on and when. Our
self-evaluation will be reviewed by the peer team that
visits in April. The peer team will also check to see
that we are in compliance with all SACS standards. In
addition to those two major thrusts, teachers
participated in several other activities designed to
strengthen their skills and knowledge base for the
upcoming year.
The McKenzie high School band completed two weeks of
camp recently. Approximately 50 members practiced their
music and marching technique in the scorching weather of
late July. This year's program centers around Russian
music and promises to provide audiences lively music and
a well-choreographed program. Band director Keith
Breeden brought several capable musicians to the camp to
assist him and to prepare the band members for their
show. The band has the active support of the McKenzie
Band Boosters. They generously donate their time to
assist the band in many ways. With the help of the Board
of Education, they purchased a new band truck to haul
equipment and uniforms. They also have committed funds
in the past year to buy new percussion instruments,
color guard uniforms, and other areas too numerous to
mention. We are excited about the band's opening
competitive season.
Parents of juniors are advised that on Wednesday, August
28, the Balfour representative will deliver class rings.
Students ordered rings last spring with a $60.00 deposit
and have probably been billed this summer. Scott Sitton,
our Balfour representative, informed me that over half
have a zero balance already. Mr. Sitton will be here
during lunch hour to deliver the rings. Those owing
money must pay with a money order, certified check, or
cash. Balfour will not take personal checks for the
final payment.
The golf team has had its tryouts for the past several
days in preparation for the upcoming season. Coach Larry
Joe Smith begins this year's campaign with four members
on the girls' team: Ashley Creasy, Courtney Creasy,
Rachel Pruitt, and Virginia Hames. They boys' squad
includes John French, Beau Brown, Marshall Smith, Jake
Brown, Justin Wilson, Craig Broadbent, J.C. Johnsonius,
and Mark Anderson. The two teams begin match play
immediately at Sharon on Wednesday against Dresden,
Greenfield, and Gibson County. Next Wednesday they play
at home against Gleason and Camden. Our home matches are
hosted by Carroll Lake Golf Course. We appreciate the
close ties and support of Monte Cunningham in opening
the course to our young people. Although the teams are
young, they have the potential to have a successful
season.
During the last week in July, our football team held its
annual camp with approximately 55 young men reporting
for the week. Coach Wade Comer with assistance from
coaches David Duncan, Randy Thomas, new-comer Brad
Chappell, and volunteer coach Nick Young face a
difficult task in replacing 17 graduating seniors and
filling in 21 of 22 starting slots. In the three
scrimmages to date, the Rebels have shown remarkable
improvement. Against Humboldt last Friday at our
practice field, the team appeared to be better adjusted
and more confident. The team played much more physical
and aggressive and showed sparks of being a very
competitive team this fall. This week two scrimmages are
scheduled at Gibson County on Tuesday and at Southside
on Friday. The Rebels conclude pre-season work with the
Huntingdon Jamboree on Friday, August 23. Our football
team will sell tickets to the jamboree with all advanced
ticket sales going to our school. Buy a ticket from our
team and make plans to attend.
|
|
