Key Communicator-January 25, 2013

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Weather Make-Up Day

Students will attend school on Monday, February 18 to make up a day missed for inclement weather.

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Open House for the New Multi-Purpose Building

Join us for an Open House at our new Multi-Purpose Building located on the campus of Meridian High School on Tuesday, February 19 at 5 p.m.

The February Meeting of the MPSD Board of Trustees will follow the Open House and begin at 6:30 p.m.

For the remainder of the year, MPSD Board Meetings will be held at the Multi-Purpose Building.

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MPSD Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to Amanda Hanegan, math teacher at Meridian High, for being named the 2013 Teacher of the Year for the Meridian Public School District.

To learn more about Mrs. Hanegan’s award, click here.

Each school also names a teacher of the year to represent their school, so congratulations to the following teachers:

Crestwood Elementary: Kristen Barnes, 5^th grade Math and Science

T.J. Harris Elementary: Carla Desmond, 4^th grade Language Arts

Oakland Heights Elementary: Dena Patterson, 5^th grade Math

Parkview Elementary: Bettie Davis, 1^st grade

Poplar Springs Elementary: Beth Lang, Kindergarten

West Hills Elementary: Sharon Henry, 3^rd grade

Carver Middle: Tashana Carter, 8^th grade Learning Strategies-Reading

Magnolia Middle: Amy Grady, 8^th grade Science

Northwest Middle: Ravene Mitchell, 8^th grade Language Arts

Meridian High: Amanda Hanegan, Math

Ross Collins Career and Technical: Hope Webb, Health Science

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MPSD Administrator of the Year

LaVonda Germany, Principal of Poplar Springs Elementary, has been named the 2013 Administrator of the Year for the Meridian Public School District.

To learn more about Mrs. Germany’s award, click here.

Congratulations Mrs. Germany!!

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Top AR Students

Congratulations to the following students who are leading the way at their school with the highest number of Accelerated Reader (AR) points:

Crestwood - Kendall Roberts - 134 points

Oakland Heights - Vikira Jones - 219.9 points

Parkview - Madison Mosley - 86 Points

Poplar Springs - Isabella Durgin - 321 points

T.J. Harris - Zykerial Miller - 148 points

West Hills - Mikayla Smith - 110.7 points

Carver - Jesserlen Stringfellow - 382.8 points

Magnolia - Shendara Gladney - 309 points

Northwest - Logan Nave - 300 points

Meridian High - Jacqueta Williams - 404.4 points

Keep up the great work!

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Natalie Nations, MHS Teacher, Wins Award for Master’s Thesis

Congratulations to Meridian High School English II teacher Natalie Nations who recently received the Conference of Southern Graduate Schools 2013 Master’s Thesis Award in the category of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Meridian High and MPSD are very proud of your accomplishment!

To learn more about Ms. Nations’ award, click here.

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MHS Boasts 18 Scholastic Art Awards

Congratulations to the Meridian High School art students and teachers for an impressive showing at the Mississippi Regional Competition for the National Scholastic Art Awards. With over 2,000 entries from across the state, Meridian High School boasts 18 award winning pieces of artwork.

Silver Key Awards:

X’Zadrain Nicks, Art/ Architecture, Family House Floor Plan

X’Zadrain Nicks, Art/Architecture, Lake House Floor Plan

*Silver Key award winning pieces are on display at the Mississippi Museum of Art in Jackson, MS until April 7.

Honorable Mention Awards:

Darrionnia Barfield, Drawing, Harini Contour

Currisa Berry, Ceramics, Fudge Sundae

Benjamin Gathright, Ceramics, Grendel

Tanner Goldman, Sculpture, Reaching Man

Tanner Goldman, Ceramics, Bottle 1

Tanner Goldman, Ceramics, Earth Vase

Tanner Goldman, Ceramics, Hey Ha Hey Ah Ha Ha

Tanner Goldman, Ceramics, Elvia

Tanner Goldman, Ceramics, Grecian Urn

Tanner Goldman, Ceramics, Senior Art Portfolio

Terri Grady, Painting, Pandemonium

Joshua Lindemann, Ceramics, Elephant

X’Zadrain Nicks, Architecture, Dream House

Dee Dee Smith, Drawing, Pink Flowers

Abby Tucker, Ceramics, The Green Bowl

Emily Ware, Ceramics, The King’s Crown

*Honorable Mention award winning pieces are on display in the Meridian High School Library.

To learn more about the Scholastic Art Awards, click here.
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Golden Apple Award Nominations

Don’t forget to nominate your favorite teacher for the Golden Apple Award by visiting either www.meridianstar.com or www.wgbctv.com and clicking on the Golden Apple logo.

Nominations can be submitted by parents, faculty, or community members, as well as past and present students.

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Come Visit Us!

We have tons of opportunities for you to be involved in our schools…

Poplar Springs Elementary Artist in Residence – Charlie Busler
Wednesday, January 23 – Friday, January 25
3^rd – 5^th grades
Panda Professional Development Room

National Board Certification Meeting
Tuesday, January 29 – 4 p.m.
Ross Collins Peavey Auditorium
This is an informational meeting that will discuss the benefits of national board certification for teachers, available certificates, eligibility and policies, the assessment process, fees, and financial support. We will also discuss the renewal process for National Board Certified Teachers who are ready to recertify. A representative from “The World Class Teaching Mentoring Program” will be in attendance to answer questions and provide dates for upcoming meetings for teachers planning to go through the National Board process next year. The first of the mentoring workshops begin in February. If you have questions, please contact Laurel Ridgon by email lrigdon@mpsd.k12.ms.us or by phone 601-483-3331.

Poplar Springs Elementary Science Fair
Thursday, January 31

MPSD District Reading Fair
Thursday, January 31
First place winners from each school’s Reading Fair will participate in the District Reading Fair.

Crestwood Elementary Accelerated Reader Celebration
Wednesday, January 30 – 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.

Northwest Middle School Open House for Fifth Grade Parents
Thursday, February 7 – 5:30 p.m.
Parents of fifth grade students at Poplar Springs and West Hills Elementary Schools are invited to attend the Open House at Northwest. Parents and students will be able to meet the teachers, learn about extra-curricular opportunities, tour the school, and much more!

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MPSD in the News…

T.J. Harris Elementary Donates to the Red Cross
http://meridianstar.com/local/x1303526548/T-J-Harris-Donation

MPSD Administrator of the Year
WTOK –http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/MPS-Announces-Administrator-of-the-Year-187535921.html
Meridian Star –http://meridianstar.com/local/x1633456999/Germany-receives-MPSD-Administrator-of-Year

MPSD Teachers of the Year
WTOK -http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Hanegan-Honored-by-District-186554091.html
Meridian Star -http://meridianstar.com/local/x2056581765/Meridian-High-math-teacher-makes-top-grade-in-district

School Safety
http://www.wtok.com/news/headlines/Local-School-Safety-Under-Review--185715592.html

Charter School Debate
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Charter-Schools-Debate-Heating-Up-185773102.html

Superintendent Responses to Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting
http://meridianstar.com/local/x1633433880/Superintendent-Are-we-doing-everything-we-can-do

Charter Schools Separate but Unequal
http://meridianstar.com/local/x1633441288/Charter-schools-Separate-but-unequal

T.J. Harris Donates to the Red Cross
http://meridianstar.com/local/x1303497559/T-J-Harris-donates-to-the-Red-Cross

Poplar Springs Giving Feast
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Children-Give-to-Other-Children-184185031.html

Heartwarming Story about a Meridian High Student who Recently Lost His Mother
http://meridianstar.com/local/x98952928/How-one-text-message-changed-two-families-lives

Ross Collins Students Bring Christmas to Seniors
http://www.wtok.com/home/headlines/Students-Bring-Christmas-to-Seniors-183380931.html

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Thanks for helping us spread the great news about our schools! The Key Communicator is a publication of the Meridian Public School District, 1019 25^th Avenue, Meridian, MS 39301. To join, email info@mpsd.k12.ms.us. To unsubscribe, reply to this message with “unsubscribe” in the subject line.