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1st Community Conversations With Dr. Shaver A Success
February 25, 2010 TPSD's first "Community Conversations with Dr. Shaver" was a great success! Over 70 people attended and Dr. Shaver answered great questions submitted by parents and community members. Questions not answered due to time will appear on the TPSD Web site in the Q&A section.
Tupelo Symphony Orchestra Association Presented Orchestral Concert to TPSD Students
February 19, 2010 The Tupelo Symphony Orchestra Association presented a free, live children's orchestral concert for students of the North Mississippi area at the Tupelo Civic Auditorium. The Tupelo Symphony Orchestra Association, the only professional orchestra in North Mississippi, and its support organization, the Tupelo Symphony League, embraced a commitment to the children of Tupelo, Lee County, and the region to provide positive educational experiences and further enhance the quality of life for all citizens of the North Mississippi Region.
Lawhon Elementary Celebrates Science
February 12, 2010 Celebrate Science!
THS Seniors Receive MacBooks in Largest School 1:1 Initiative in MS!
February 09, 2010 This week THS seniors and parents were excited to receive training on the new MacBooks. The introduction of this technology will be used to strengthen the instruction of students who live and will work in a 21st century world. "I believe that we must meet our students where they are in order to be relevant to their educational needs. These tools will engage our students daily, and I am particularly pleased that seniors will be able to use MacBooks this year to strengthen senior projects," said THS Interim Principal Glenda Scott.
New Preschool Program at TPSD Early Childhood Education Center
February 05, 2010 TPSD is pleased offer a tuition-based preschool program housed at the Early Childhood Education Center beginning 2010-2011 school year. There are 40 slots available on a first-come, first-serve basis. This program does not impact the Title 1 Pre-K program based on academic need also located at ECEC.
TPSD Raises $17,056.49 for Haiti Relief Fund
February 04, 2010 Tupelo Public School District partnered together with The City of Tupelo, local churches, and the Northeast Mississippi Chapter of the American Red Cross to launch a community-wide effort to help provide aid for relief efforts in Haiti. The money that was donated to the "Tupelo-Haiti Relief Project" fund went directly to CREATE Foundation. The Tupelo Public School District raised the most money of any group that participated! The total donation from the citizens of Tupelo was $56,683.44! 100% of all donations will now go directly to relief efforts in Haiti. A very special thank you to all of our students, staff, and parents who made our Wave of Hope Foundation such a success for the people of Haiti!
2010 TPSD Teacher of the Year - Janna Fairley
February 03, 2010 The Tupelo Public School District Teacher of the Year is a 26-year teaching veteran and 11-year National Board Certified Educator. She comes from a family of educators and credits her father, a professor and minister, with instilling in her a love of learning. She also remembers teachers throughout her life who provided specific instances that shaped her as a learner and an educator. As a result, one of the hallmarks of her personal philosophy is "treating everyone with respect everyday."
TPSD Teachers of the Year
February 02, 2010 TPSD is honored to recognize an outstanding group of Tupelo Public School District educators as "Teacher of the Year" for their respective schools. The Tupelo Public School District is fortunate to have many extraordinary educators who go beyond the call of duty to help all children become life-long learners.
Lawndale's 4th Graders Are G.R.E.A.T. Graduates
February 01, 2010 Lawndale's 4th grade students graduated today from the G.R.E.A.T. program. GREAT stands for Gang Resistance Education and Training. Five of the goals of the program include: making GREAT choices, communicating messages clearly, controlling your anger, respecting others, and being a GREAT citizen. The 178 4th grade students, in conjunction with Officer John Bramble of the Tupelo Police Department, participated in activities such as discussions, role playing, and group work. The culmination of the program today was attended by the mayor, two city council members, and members of the Tupelo Police Department. The students received free t-shirts as part of the program.
Milam Student Wins National Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition
January 29, 2010 Joshua Randle, a Milam Elementary School student, recently participated in the 2009 Punt, Pass, and Kick Competition sponsored by Tupelo Park and Recreation. He was able to progress to the 2009 New Orleans NFL Punt Pass and Kick Competition by winning first place in the local, regional, and sectional competitions in his age division. In New Orleans, Joshua was fortunate to win first place again in his age group.
Milam's Kiwanis Kids Club Connects With The Community
January 27, 2010 Milam Has a Kiwanis Kids club. It is a "sub-group" of the adult Tupelo Kiwanis Club and is a community service organization for our 6th grade students.
TPSD Announces Wave of Hope Foundation Project for Haiti Relief Fund
January 20, 2010 The Tupelo Public School District joins community and civic organizations in the region by launching a short-term fundraising effort to support the American Red Cross in providing aid and relief to the earthquake victims in Haiti.
TPSD's 2009 National Board Certified Teachers
January 15, 2010 Professional educators around the country have been striving for excellence in the classroom. The Tupelo Public School District is fortunate to have the best of the best teaching children on a daily basis.
TPSD Superintendent Randy Shaver Invited Back to US Department of Education
January 14, 2010 Tupelo Superintendent Randy Shaver is invited back to Washington to assist the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. A group of state superintendents and a select group of school superintendents will meet and draft legislation to reauthorize the federal No Child Left Behind Act. If changes are made, this will be the law for the next five years. Dr. Shaver, we are proud of you for representing the Tupelo Public School District at the US Department of Education!
18 Students Competed in the TPSD Spelling Bee
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January 13, 2010 Anna Freeman Wyatt, City of Tupelo Communications Director, was the pronouncer to eighteen 4th through 8th grade students who competed in the Tupelo Public School District Spelling Bee at the Hancock Leadership Center. Dr. Randy Shaver, Superintendent of TPSD, welcomed all of the students and wished them good luck. The Top 3 spelling bee winners from Lawhon, Lawndale, Pierce Street, Rankin, Milam and Tupelo Middle School competed for a chance to move on to the Lee County Spelling Bee. Mrs. Diana Ezell, Dr. Fred Hill, and Dr. George Noflin served as the judges for our spelling bee. Dr. Derwood Tutor, Hancock Leadership Center Director, discussed the rules for the spelling bee with the students.
Milam's Gifted Program Received $30,000 E.R. Carpenter Grant
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January 07, 2010 Milam students will benefit from a $30,000 E.R. Carpenter Grant to assist students with 21st Century technology skills including digital brainstorming, collaboration, research, creative design, and interactive, professional presentation. I.M.A.G.I.N.E. Technology (Inspiring Minds And Guiding Instruction with New and Exciting Technology) was written by Milam's sixth grade gifted teachers to enhance the 1:1 laptop computer program that will begin in the fall of 2010. Since 1993 The E.Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation has provided over $5,100,000 in charitable financial support to 135 non-profit organizations in Northeast Mississippi.
THS Senior Project Helps TPSD Learn Apple Laptops
January 04, 2010 A Tupelo High School senior will make the school district's transition to Apple computers much smoother. As the district provides teachers, administrators and students with MacBook laptops in an effort to transform classrooms into digital learning environments, a big part of the culture change will be lifelong Windows users adapting to the Macintosh operating system. That's where Ross Waycaster comes to the rescue. Waycaster, an avid Web designer, is using his THS senior project to build a Web site that will provide tutorials for teachers, students and parents learning to use Macs for the first time.
David Bradberry Named New THS Head Football Coach
December 17, 2009 Dr. Randy Shaver is very pleased to announce David Bradberry as the head football coach of the Tupelo Golden Wave. Coach Bradberry is bringing 34 years of coaching experience with 22 of those years as a head coach. During those 22 years as a head coach, his teams have won three north state championship games. His overall record as head football coach is 183-71.
THS Anchor Club and Tupelo Pilot Club Provide Helmets to TPSD Early Childhood Center
December 15, 2009 The Pilot Club of Tupelo and the Tupelo High School Anchor Club presented 45 helmets to the Early Childhood Development Center students in Amanda Young's class. The Pilot Club and the Anchor Club both promote brainminder programs that utilize helmets for brain safety when young people ride their bikes, scooters, and skateboard. Protecting your brain for a better life is so important in today's fast paced world.
TPSD Interim Principals Announced
December 14, 2009 Dr. Randy Shaver, Superintendent of Schools, announced the assignment of the following people to interim administrative positions in the TPSD beginning January 4, 2010:
TPSD Strings Program Has Over 90 Students
December 09, 2009 The TPSD Strings Program specializes in beautiful music. The group of students has concerts and plays for the community. Many of our students have received college scholarships. Jessica Wallace, an 18-year-old senior, said simply playing the cello, guitar, bass or marimba can help create balance in her life. "They are my TV and video games," she said. "When I get stressed out or I'm upset about something, I can always pick up an instrument, and it makes me feel better."
Pam McAlilly Inducted into 2009 Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers
December 04, 2009 Tupelo Public School District is proud to announce that Pam McAlilly was inducted into the 2009 Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers on December 4. The Mississippi Hall of Master Teachers was established to provide recognition of long-time excellent teaching in Mississippi school systems. The Hall now includes 89 of Mississippi's finest.
Dr. Randy Shaver Is 1 of 9 Superintendents in the Nation Invited to Washington to Give Input on No Child Left Behind Act
December 03, 2009 Tupelo Superintendent Randy Shaver was invited to Washington to share ideas about improving the nation's schools, and he got to share them with the U.S. Secretary of Education. Dr. Shaver, representing the Gulf states region, was one of nine superintendents from across the nation invited to Washington by Secretary Arne Duncan. All nine are from rural or small-city school districts and were asked to provide their perspective on the federal No Child Left Behind Act and on struggling schools.
Dr. Shaver Urges Community To Go Wireless For Students
November 27, 2009 After his school district announced its new laptop computer initiative, Superintendent Randy Shaver is asking businesses to provide Internet access to students. The district made a splash by saying it would provide Apple MacBook computers to all teachers, administrators and students in sixth- to 12th-grade. The district will buy more than 5,000 Computers, including carts for all nine of its Kindergarten to fifth-grade schools.
Tupelo High School Principal Mac Curlee to Retire
November 21, 2009 Tupelo High School Principal Mac Curlee announced that he will retire on December 31, 2009. In his 40th year as an educator and 14th year at THS, Curlee said that it was just time. "The 13 and-a-half years in the Tupelo Public School District has been a very gratifying experience," Curlee said. It has been an honor and a privilege, and it is something I will miss. It is something you don't walk away from without having some of those tugs on your heart, but it is the right time for me."
Tupelo Middle School Students Participate in CSI Lab
November 12, 2009 Mrs. Judy Harden's class at Tupelo Middle School is solving crimes while learning about science! The science classes are working on a unit called CSI. According to Mrs. Harden, "CSI is a science unit that will teach many science objectives while simulating interest."
Art Integration Promotes Student Learning
November 07, 2009 The Tupelo Public School District has begun to include arts in all subjects. Arts Integration has been around for a while, though. It started in the nineteenth century as part of John Dewey's Progressive Education Theory. The first article that mentioned art integration in American schools was published in 1939.
Tupelo Schools and the Community Honor Elvis with Rockin' Tupelo
November 02, 2009 Tupelo Public Schools will participate in a community project that will honor our connection to Elvis Presley history as well as the many talented Mississippi Blues, R & B, Rock, and Jazz musicians that have called our state home. With this project, visual art, music, and classroom teachers will have the opportunity to connect and create some very memorable experiences for our students. Rockin' Tupelo will be a large scale project that encompasses the different art forms; visual art, music, dance, and drama. Through this project, every Tupelo Public School will design and paint, large metal guitars that will become a lasting piece of sculpture in our downtown Tupelo area. These guitars will be unveiled at what would have been Elvis's 75th birthday, the week of January 8th.
Apple Laptop Computers for TPSD 6-12 Graders and all Teachers
October 27, 2009 The Tupelo Public School District announced this afternoon an initiative to provide laptops for its teachers and sixth- to 12th-grade students. It is part of a partnership between the district and Apple. The announcement came during a ceremony at BancorpSouth Arena that included all TPSD students and teachers from grades three to 12.
TPSD Teachers Receive Training on Teaching Dyslexic Students
October 16, 2009 A group of TPSD teachers spent a week building tents out of index cards, writing on wire screens with crayons, and tracing letters in a patch of sand. It's all part of a special training teachers are receiving for working with students in the TPSD who are either dyslexic or showing signs of dyslexia. Thirty-one teachers from the district participated in the 30-hour workshop led by Michele Wenger, an instructor at the Institute of Multi-Sensory Education, which is based in Birmingham, Michigan. At least one teacher from every school in the district attended the workshop.
Safety Emphasis Saves TPSD Money
October 08, 2009 An effort to increase worker's safety in the Tupelo Public School District will save the district more than $100,000 at a time when money is tight. In November 2006, TPSD Human Resources Director Jim Turner created and implemented a new safety plan for the district in an attempt to decrease work-related accidents. The effort saw quick results, as both the frequency and severity of accidents have gone down since the plan went into place, Turner said.
2009 TPSD CREATE Teachers of Distinction
September 28, 2009 This year's nominees are based on 2008-2009 school year placements. Ten teachers and three assistant teachers from the district were honored at a joint meeting of the Tupelo Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. Nominations are made by students, parents, teachers, administrators, other school district employees or community members. An external committee chose the winners (in bold below).
TPSD AIM Notification System Improves Communication Between Schools and Parents
September 25, 2009 A new notification system will allow the Tupelo Public School District to better communicate with parents. Through the Active Instant Messenger (AIM) 2.0 system, central office administrators and school principals will be able to quickly send text and recorded voice messages to the phone numbers that parents or guardians provided on enrollment forms and emergency contact forms.
Lawndale and Parkway Take the Schools into the Community
September 23, 2009
Rankin Elementary Wins Second National Blue Ribbon
September 16, 2009 TPSD received a national honor Tuesday when Rankin Elementary was named a 2009 Blue Ribbon school. This is the second blue ribbon for Rankin, which also received the distinction in 2000-01, and the seventh Blue Ribbon for the district. "It is special because it is a national recognition," said Glenda Scott, who was principal at Rankin for the last seven years before becoming principal at Joyner Elementary this year
Parkway Elementary Hosts 2009 AEE Luncheon
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May 14, 2009 Hundreds of community members and AEE supporters attended the 2009 AEE Annual Luncheon at Parkway Elementary. Guests enjoyed the opportunity to tour booths that showcased individual school AEE grants in action. One of the highlights of the luncheon was the performances by Parkway and Thomas Street choirs.
Local Business Presents Technology to THS Students
May 13, 2009 On Friday, May 8, Circadence Corporation presented its 2009 Circadence Scholastic Coder Award to a team of Tupelo High School students in Kristie Lauderdale and Tyrone Catledge's programming classes. The award was the culmination of a Circadence-sponsored class project. The winning team designed a website that incorporated multimedia and gaming components. Prior to the award presentation, Circadence representatives met with the teams who submitted projects for judging.
2009 Senior Project Presentations
May 05, 2009 Students, teachers, parents, community evaluators and visitors watched as THS seniors presented senior projects at the BancorpSouth Arena. "This is the first year we've called it the culmination project," English teacher Brenda Key said. The program began six years ago as the senior project.
Milam Elementary's AEE Grant in Action
April 02, 2009 Field trips provide an opportunity for some students to visit places or people that they would not normally get the chance to visit. Marrion Winders, a 6th grade teacher at Milam Elementary, received an AEE grant called "Tupelo Teaches" that allows students to visit different businesses in Tupelo to show the importance of math in "real world" settings.
Mary Ann Plasencia Named TPSD's Parent of the Year
April 01, 2009 In the past year, Mary Ann Plasencia has played a part in selecting a new superintendent, helped hand out thousands in grants and hosted a Renaissance feast. For those efforts, and many more, she was honored Tuesday as the Tupelo School District's Parent of the Year.
NMMC Presents Nurse Link Magnets to TPSD Students
February 20, 2009 Katie Michael's first grade students at Lawhon Elementary School show off Nurse Link magnets given to them by North Mississippi Medical Center representatives (back, from left) Kaycee Burrell, Kim Mayhall and Wally Davis. NMMC recently distributed magnets to students in Tupelo to promote Nurse Link, a free health information resource offered by NMMC.
TMS Drama Students Present Pirates of Penzance Jr.
February 11, 2009 Pirates of Penzance Jr. is an adaptation of Gilbert and Sullivan's most beloved operetta. This hilarious farce opens with sentimental pirates, bumbling policeman, dim-witted young lovers, daughters and a memorable Major General. All are bound by a sense of duty which makes for a wacky story and lots of fun.
Tupelo High School and Tupelo Middle School Host State Honor Choir Auditions
February 04, 2009 Auditions for Mississippi Honor Choirs were recently held at both Tupelo High School and Tupelo Middle School.
Carver Elementary Teacher is District Teacher of the Year
January 30, 2009 This year's Tupelo Public School District Teacher of the Year impacts not only her students' lives, but also the lives of fellow educators and the lives of those in the community. This National Board Certified Teacher, now in her 20th year as an educator, thrives on the belief that "each student is amazing" and works to "recognize this amazing potential every day."
TPSD Teachers of the Year
January 30, 2009 We are honored to recognize an outstanding group of Tupelo Public School District educators as "Teacher of the Year" for their respective schools.
TPSD Students Attend STAR Education Event Sponsored by the Tupelo Concert Association
January 27, 2009 On Monday, January 26th students from Carver and Milam Elementary Schools were treated to a concert at the Civic Auditorium.
Lee County Spelling Bee Winners
January 27, 2009 After 20 rounds, Lee County finally got a new spelling bee champion. "I'm ecstatic, e-c-s-t-a-t-i-c," said Anthony Heavens, a sixth-grader at Carver Elementary School and the competition's eventual winner after correctly spelling "residential."
TPSD 4th - 8th Grade Reading Fair Winners
January 23, 2009 The Mississippi Department of Education's Office of Reading, Early Childhood and Language Arts sponsor a Mississippi Reading Fair each year. This statewide reading fair is a means to promote literacy and the love of reading.
TPSD Spelling Bee Winners
January 20, 2009 The Annual TPSD Spelling Bee was held at the Hancock Leadership Center on January 13, 2009. Carver, Milam, and Lawndale Elementary Schools, along with Tupelo Middle School, each had their top three spellers participate in the district spelling bee.
THS Choral Music Students Perform With The Tupelo Symphony Orchestra
December 15, 2008 On Saturday, December 13, 2008, the Tupelo Public School District hosted the Christmas Concert presented by the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra at the THS Performing Arts Center. Approximately, 275 THS choral music students participated in this concert under the direction of Stephen Byess. In addition, soloist Mary Donnelly Haskell also sang with the symphony.
Dr. Randy Shaver Named TPSD Superintendent
December 11, 2008 The Tupelo Schools Board of Trustees unanimously voted North Carolina educator Dr. Randy Shaver to be the new Tupelo Public School District superintendent, effective July 1, 2008. Also, he will be visiting our district approximately once a month to allow for transition.
21st Annual Shakespearean Tea
December 08, 2008 The 21st annual Shakespearean Tea was held Monday, December 8th at Harrisburg Baptist Church. The Madrigals sang and the THS Strings also performed. Tyler Pirkle played classical music and Christmas songs for the guests and THS Drama students quoted famous lines from Shakespeare and other poets.
Superintendent Search Update
December 04, 2008 The TPSD superintendent search is in its final phases. Board President Shawn Brevard and Board Vice-President John Nail have returned from a day-long site visit to Dr. Randy Shaver's home district of Whiteville, North Carolina.
Superintendent Finalist
November 20, 2008 The Tupelo Public School District Board of Trustees welcomes Dr. Randy Shaver, superintendent of Whiteville (N.C.) City Schools, back to our community for a second interview in the ongoing superintendent search process. Dr. Shaver has been an educator for thirty-three years, twenty-four of them as a secondary level English and speech teacher and debate coach.
TPSD Superintendent Search Update
November 17, 2008 On November 14th and 15th, the TPSD Board of Trustees and the ten-member Search Advisory Committee parallel interviewed a diverse group of five candidates for the superintendent of the Tupelo Public School District. Dr. Art Jones and Dr. Diana McCauley from Hazard, Young, Attea, & Associates had worked for many months to bring a group of high caliber candidates who reflected the stated criteria of the community's Leadership Profile to the Board for consideration.
TPSD Elementary Principal Assignments Announced for the 2009-2010 School Year
November 04, 2008 As one of the initial steps in the process of implementing its Future Excellence Plan, today the Tupelo Public School District announced the following elementary principal assignments for the 2009-2010 school year. |
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Tupelo Public School District PO Box 557 Tupelo, MS 38802 (662) 841-8850 |
Dr. Randy Shaver, Superintendent Mrs. Diana Ezell, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Fred Hill, Assistant Superintendent Dr. George Noflin, Assistant Superintendent | ||
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