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NEW NOTIFICATIONS
The 2013 Mississippi Administrator of the Year (AOY) Program
The Feb. 18 deadline for submitting a 2013 Administrator of the Year nomination packet is about three
weeks away. Superintendents are encouraged to honor the achievements and performance of one of their
district’s dedicated and committed leaders. If you have any questions regarding the process, please
contact Gail Gettis at ggettis@mde.k12.ms.us or call the Teacher Center at (601) 359-3631.
Accountability Task Force Sets February Meetings
The Accountability Task Force will meet Wednesday, Feb. 13 and Tuesday, Feb. 19. The meetings will
begin at 9 a.m. in the 4th Floor Board Room. The focus of the Feb. 13 meeting will be on making
recommendations to the Mississippi Board of Education on how performance classifications will be
assigned for the 2012-2013 school year.
MASA Conference Scheduled for April
The Mississippi Association of School Administrators (MASA) will hold its 2013 Annual Spring
Leadership Conference, “Transforming Schools for the 21st Century,” April 7 – 9 at the Jackson Hilton
Hotel. The pre-conference on Sunday afternoon features two time-sensitive topics, “Learning to Use
Formative Assessment” and “Student and Staff Safety in Schools.” Other highlights of the conference
include sessions from MDE on new legislation, policies, and programs, the evaluation process for state
educators and students, updates on federal programs, the new accountability model, the 21st Century
administrator, and a closing message on the 2013 legislative session from Interim State Superintendent,
Dr. Lynn House.
MASA will seek MDE approval to offer 10 SEMI Credits for the three-day conference and work with the
universities to offer CEUs. Come to learn and be engaged in conversations with fellow administrators,
MDE personnel, and MASA members. Registration information is posted at www.msasa.org, and
questions may be directed to masadirector@aol.com.
Special Education Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
The Special Education Advisory Panel will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 9:30 a.m. at the Embassy
Suites Hotel, located at 200 Township Place, Ridgeland, MS 39157. The panel will hear public comments
at 10:15 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Written comments may be submitted to Dr. Armerita Tell, Mississippi Department of Education, P.O.
Box 771, Jackson, Mississippi 39205-0771; fax: 601-359-1829; email: atell@mde.k12.ms.us; or call the
Parent Hotline Number: 1-877-544-0408.
For more information, or if you need accommodations due to a disability, contact Dr. Tell at (601) 3593498.
Making Connections Conference Scheduled for June
The 2013 Making Connections Conference will take place June 5-7at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum
and Convention Center in Biloxi, MS. Online Early Bird Registration will begin March 1 through May 1,
2013. SPACE IS LIMITED TO THE FIRST 1300 REGISTRANTS.
The opening session keynote speaker will be Todd Whitaker, one of the nation's leading authorities on
staff motivation, teacher leadership, and principal effectiveness. Dr. Whitaker has written many
educational books including the national best seller What Great Teachers Do Differently.
This conference will provide valuable information for administrators, curriculum directors, federal
program directors, special services directors, and teacher educators.
Conference strands include: Maximizing the Common Core; Equipping All Students for Success;
Effective Teaching Practices; MDE Communications and Updates; and Exhibitor Presentations. This
conference is a joint venture of the Gulf Coast Educational Initiative Consortium, the Southern-Regional
Educational Service Agency, and the College of Education and Psychology at The University of Southern
Mississippi.
GOT AN ITEM FOR EdUpdate?
To submit information for consideration in the EdUpdate, email the information to Tabatha Burkett at
tburkett@mde.k12.ms.us by noon on Thursday. Please include a contact name and an email or phone
number as part of each item.
VACANCIES
To inform you of vacancies in school districts, we provide a link each week to a list of school district
openings. This list, updated monthly, is compiled by the Mississippi Teacher Center and includes job
openings for administrators and teachers. To view the current monthly list, visit
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/teacher-center.
For information on employment in the MDE, contact the Office of Human Resources at 601-359-3511 or
visit the "Active Recruitment List" on the State Personnel Board Web site at www.msps.ms.gov for a list
of openings in all state agencies.
GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
JSU Sponsors Grant Development Workshop
Jackson State University is hosting a two-day grant development workshop Feb. 11 - 12. Learn from
professional grant writers how to prepare, write and secure grants from various funding agencies. If
interested, please visit the JSU website or call 1-877-414-8991 to register/ reserve seating. Additional
discounts are available for groups that would like to participate in this interactive workshop.
Office of Healthy Schools Launches Initiative
The Mississippi Department of Education’s (MDE) Office of Healthy Schools has launched the “Health is
Academic” initiative to promote health and wellness in Mississippi public schools. The goal of the
Nutrition Integrity 2013 Grants is to replace fat fryers in school kitchens with Combination Oven
Steamers in order to make a substantial difference in the number of calories and fat eaten by students at
school.
All Mississippi public schools (K-12) are eligible to apply for the Nutrition Integrity 2013 grant. Please
visit the MDE Request for Proposals website http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/public-notices/requests-forproposals-(rfp) for an application packet.
For further information, please contact Lydia West in the Office of Child Nutrition at
lwest@mde.k12.ms.us or (601) 576-4964.
AmeriCorps State & National Grants
Deadline: February 6
The FY2013 AmeriCorps State and National grant competition is designed to help national service
programs achieve greater impact by targeting resources on a core set of challenges: disaster services,
economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans and military
families. In order to maximize the impact of the public investment in national service, CNCS will fund
programs that can demonstrate community impact and solve community problems using an evidencebased or evidence-informed approach. For more information, visit http://1.usa.gov/YbABSf .
Disney Friends for Change Grants - U.S.
Deadline: February 10
Disney Friends for Change Grants offer young change-makers an opportunity to receive a $1,000 grant
for youth-led service projects that demonstrate youth leadership, creativity, and a commitment to making
a positive impact in the community. Whatever your interests, a Disney Friends for Change grant can help
you make a difference for people, communities, and the planet. Youth ages 5-18 located in all 50 states
and the District of Columbia are eligible to apply for a $1,000 grant. For more information, visit
www.YSA.org/grants/disney-friends-change-grants.
Captain Planet Foundation Grants
Deadline: February 28
U.S.-based schools and organizations with annual operating budgets of less than $3 million are eligible to
apply for grants from the Captain Planet Foundation. Grants support high-quality educational programs
that enable children and youth to understand and appreciate our world through learning experiences that
engage them in active, hands-on community service projects to improve the environment in their schools
and communities. Preference is given to requests seeking seed funding of $500 or less and to applicants
who have secured at least 50 percent matching or in-kind funding. For more information, visit
http://bit.ly/y1tPpz .
EVENTS
Safe Schools and Communities Symposium set for Feb. 8
The 2nd Annual Safe Schools and Communities: Building Resistance and Resiliency to Violence, Defiant
Groups and Bullying Symposium is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 8 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center
in Hattiesburg.
Dr. Katia Petersen, psychologist, author and recognized training expert in school improvement strategies,
and integration of social-emotional and academic learning will facilitate a session, “Responding to
Bullying and Developing Anti-bullying Individual Intervention Plans.” This interactive, multi-media and
hands-on session will address the nature of bullying, the rationale for preventing and stopping it and
provide you with the knowledge and skills to empower bystanders. Individual plans to successfully
implement a bully prevention program will be created by the end of the session.
Other symposium topics will include: Bullies and Their Self-Perceptions: Good, Bad, or Ugly, Creating
Safer Schools for LGBTQ Youth, Basic Gang Awareness, and School Safety: The Role of Campus Crime
Stoppers. The symposium is approved for continuing education units for educators (.7), school
administrators (five) and psychologists (five). Application for social workers is pending.
For more information or to register visit www.usm.edu/training or call (601)266-4186.
First Robotics Tournament Seeks Volunteers
The Center for Mathematics and Science Education (CMSE) at the University of Mississippi is the
affiliate partner for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) in Mississippi. CMSE is looking for individuals and
groups that would be interested in volunteering at the inaugural Mississippi FTC Robotics Tournament to
be held at the University of Mississippi on March 2. Teams will consist of students from all over the state
in grades 7-12.
All volunteers receive lunch and a T-shirt or Polo shirt, depending on job selected. The tournament is in
need of several roles, including judge, referee, inspector, queuer, scorekeeper/ field operator, pit
administration, team and volunteer check-in, and other jobs that need staffing at an FTC tournament.
If you are interested in helping out with any of these positions or have any questions, please contact
Mannie Lowe, FIRST Program Manager @ mlowe@olemiss.edu or 662-915-6621. You may also visit
the FTC website @ http://mississippiftc.org/.
Congressman Harper Presents Military Academy Day April 20
Congressman Gregg Harper will host a Military Academy Day at Pearl High School, 500 Pirate Cove,
Pearl, 9 a.m. - noon, on Saturday, April 20.
This event is for students who are interested in learning about military academy and college ROTC
scholarship opportunities. Representatives from the academies and college ROTC programs will be in
attendance to make presentations and meet individually with interested students. This event is open to all
junior high and high school Mississippi students, regardless of the congressional district they reside in.
Parents, administrators, teachers, and counselors are also encouraged to attend. It is an open event, and
no reservation is needed to attend.
For more information, contact Steve Guyton at (601) 932-2410.
Student Art Competition
The Natchez Trace Parkway is planning a student art competition. Art work will be displayed at the
Parkway’s 75th anniversary party on May 18. Each high school (AL, TN and MS) can enter three teacherchosen pieces. Cash awards to winning entries will be made available through the Eastern National
Association. For more information, visit http://www.easternnational.org/about.aspx.
The MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts
The MSU Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts announces its 2012-2013 season of live
educational performances. All teachers receive study guides and lesson plan resources two weeks before
the show. Email Dr. Charlotte Tabereaux at ctabereaux@riley.msstate.edu or go to
www.msurileycenter.com for reservations.

Clifford the Big Red Dog LIVE! grades K-3, Feb. 12th, 9:30 a.m. and noon shows

Taming of the Shrew by the Aquila Theater, grades 6-12, Feb. 19th, 10:30 a.m. only
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Mississippi Department of Education maintains an up-to-date professional development calendar.
The calendar can be accessed at this address:
https://districtaccess.mde.k12.ms.us/Lists/MDE%20PD%20Calendar/calendar.aspx
Office of Special Education Hosts Linguistic Institute
The Office of Special Education is hosting a two-day linguistic institute March 18-19 to address the needs
of English Language Learners (ELL) and to assist in the evaluation of ELL to determine whether the child
has an IDEA eligibility.
This institute outlines research-based and best practice approaches to reduce the under- and overidentification of English language learners being considered for special education services. During this
institute, participants will be provided practical, useful tools that can be implemented in the workplace
immediately. All registered participants will receive a resource book packed with functional tips, practical
tools and reliable strategies appropriate for general education teachers, special education teachers, speechlanguage pathologists, psychometrists, TST members and school psychologists.
Day One: Working with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students
This institute presents best practice strategies for providing educational supports to culturally and
linguistically diverse students. In addition, a process-based team approach will help participants
understand the characteristics differentiating a student difference from a disability. Participants will gain
an understanding of how acculturation and second language acquisition factors can impact learning, and
also provide insight on typical versus atypical learning patterns. The importance of a strong pre-referral
process will also be discussed along with the types of data that can assist with identifying student needs
during a student study team process.
Day Two: Evaluating and Servicing Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students for Special
Education Services
Participants will be provided insight and strategies to appropriately servicing diverse student populations
in order to reduce the under- and over-identification of students being considered for special education
services. To address this complex issue, a process approach will be outlined that is based upon a team
approach (i.e., general education, ESL, and special education service providers) of collecting and
interpreting student data that will distinguish difference from disability. Within the institute, the presenter
will cover specific data to consider for academic decision-making collected by general education teachers,
ESL teachers, school psychologists, resource teachers, and speech-language pathologists.
The cost of the event is $25.00 per day.
CEUs (.6) and SEMIs (6) will be offered each day. Participants who attend both sessions are eligible for
1.2 CEUs and 12 SEMIs.
You can find the registration packet on the Office of Special Education website under Special Education
Training (http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/special-education/special-education-training).
If you have additional questions, please contact Desma McElveen or Yvonne Ellis at 601-359-3498.
MASCD Offers Common Core Workshop
The Mississippi Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (MASCD) is presenting the
workshop, “Integrating RTI into the Common Core Standards,” on Thursday, Feb. 28 at the Brandon
Municipal Complex Conference Room. The workshop is designed for teachers, principals, instructional
coaches and district leaders, with primary emphasis on K-8.
The presenter is Diane Sweeney, lead consultant for Diane Sweeney Consulting, a firm that specializes in
standards-based and student-centered approach to instruction, coaching and leadership. The workshop is
from 8:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Lunch, materials and snacks are included in the registration fees. Member
registration cost is $158 and nonmember cost is $168.
For more information on the workshop, contact Dr. Milton Baxter at (601) 573-3899 or
mbaxter@mascd.com.
MAMLE Announces Conference
The Mississippi Association for Middle Level Education (MAMLE) will have its annual conference for
5th-9th grade educators on the Mississippi Gulf Coast at the Hollywood Resort, February 21-23. SEMI,
OSL and CEU Credits are offered. Participants will enjoy three nationally renowned speakers and 36
break-out sessions. A literacy pre-conference is also available. For more information visit
www.mamle.org
CMSE Hosts Middle School Science Teachers Conference
The Middle School Science Teachers Conference, for 5th – 8th grade science teachers will be held on
March 6, hosted by the Center for Mathematics and Science Education at the University of Mississippi.
The focus for this conference is “Integrating Inquiry into Science Learning.”
Session topics include integrating inquiry, inquiry in life science, inquiry in physical science, inquiry in
earth and space science, and lab without a laboratory. For more information about the conference and to
access the registration form, please visit http://cmse.olemiss.edu/professional-development/middleschool-science-teachers-conference/.
CMSE Presents Biology Teachers Conference
The Biology Teachers Conference will be held at the University of Mississippi on Friday, March 22,
hosted by the Center for Mathematics and Science Education. Biology teachers, science consultants,
science education majors, and those in similar positions, are invited. The conference will focus on
integrating inquiry into the biology classroom.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in rich discussion with colleagues and experts in the
field. Session topics include integrating inquiry into physical science, integrating inquiry into life science,
engaging students in biology, and lab without a laboratory
For more information about the conference and to access the registration form, please visit
http://cmse.olemiss.edu/professional-development/biology-teacher-conference/
Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric (M-STAR) Training
The Mississippi Statewide Teacher Appraisal Rubric (M-STAR), which is now the new teacher
evaluation rubric, will be used to assess and improve the professional performance of all teachers. The MSTAR rubric will be field tested during the 2013-2014 school year. All principals and assistant principals
must be trained on this new teacher evaluation process, and all teachers will be trained by their
administrators.
The Mississippi Department of Education (MDE) will partner with the Regional Education Service
Agencies (RESAs) to offer the required training for all principals and assistant principals. The training
will be available from November 2012 to May 2013 to ensure ample opportunities for school
administrators to receive training before field testing begins August 2013. All administrators must
participate in 2 consecutive days of training before they can officially conduct teacher observations using
the M-STAR rubric. Administrators will also be responsible for training their teachers on the M-STAR
process.
Registration is open now for principals and assistant principals only. Please register online and read ALL
of the directions below before attempting to register.
Please go to www.mde.k12.ms.us/resa and select your RESA, or visit www.nmec.net and click "20122013 workshops". Sign in at the top of the page. (If you cannot remember your password, select Forgot
Password.)
1. After you have signed in, select Workshops at the top in red.
2. Click on MDE- Teacher Center in gray.
3. Scroll down the page to find the CORRECT Workshop and desired LOCATION.
Click Register Now. (If you are logged in, this will appear as a green button.)
4. Verify or cancel your registration under View History.
Please contact Clair Richards at (662) 915-7763 regarding registration questions. If you have questions
about M-STAR, please forward them to M-STAR@mde.k12.ms.us.
University of Mississippi’s Principal Corps Seeks Doubled Enrollment for New Cohort
Under new leadership from former state superintendent of education Dr. Tom Burnham, the Principal
Corps at the University of Mississippi seeks applications and nominations for its fifth cohort.
With more than $1.5 million in new funding from the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation in Jackson,
Miss., the program can now support up to 20 highly qualified applicants from Mississippi public schools.
An innovative, 13-month blend of graduate study and on-the-job training, Principal Corps recruits attend
seminars on the Ole Miss campus one weekend per month and during two summer semesters to earn
either a Master of Education or Specialist in Education degree in educational leadership. During the fall
and spring semesters, students complete two full-time internships with proven principals and occasionally
act as de facto assistant principals at their internship sites.
Deadline for admission is February 1. For more information about the Principal Corps visit
www.olemiss.edu/principalcorps/
Mississippi Academy for Science Teaching (Project MAST)
The Mississippi Academy for Science Teaching (Project MAST) is now accepting applications for its
2012-2013 cohort. Grade 4-12 teachers are eligible to participate in this world class science professional
development program. The program’s workshops take place on the Jackson State campus over three
weeks during the summer and five Saturdays during the academic year.
Teachers who participate in the program and complete the required work will receive 6 hours of tuition
free graduate credit from Jackson State (which can be counted as CEUs for license renewal), a
competitive stipend ($4000 for high school teachers, $2000 for elementary/middle school teachers),
valuable instructional materials, travel stipends for attendance at the MSTA and NSTA annual meetings,
three support visits to their classes during the academic year and access to a thriving network of
Mississippi science teachers committed to improving their teaching and their students’ learning.
Applications and brochures are available at www.jsums.edu/projectmast/applications.html
If you have questions, please contact James Cooper, Project MAST Program Coordinator (601) 979-3613
or james.b.cooper@jsums.edu.
49th Annual Teachers Conservation Workshop
The 49th Annual Teachers Conservation Workshop is currently taking registrations for their, hands-on
conservation workshop with emphasis on forests and other natural resources. The latest information on
conservation is presented in the classroom and in numerous field trips including industries, harvesting
operations, management practices, and nature trails. Participants learn by demonstration and practical
exercises how relevant conservation practices can be integrated into classroom work and student projects.
For further information visit the Mississippi Forestry Association website www.msforestry.net
The Center for Mathematics and Science Education presents "Manipulative Mondays." Come and learn
to incorporate the use of manipulatives into lesson plans. You may also check-out sets for use in your
classrooms following the event. Join us here at the CMSE from 4 p.m. -5 p.m.
You may find out more information and register online at www.olemiss.edu/cmse. The cost is
$10.00/session. For more information, call CMSE at (662) 915-6621.
If you have any questions about AWARD NOMINATIONS
2013 Youth Advisory Council
Gov. Phil Bryant is seeking students for the Healthy Teens for a Better Mississippi, Youth Advisory
Council. The Governor's Office is taking applications for the 2013 Youth Advisory Council. Students
who are interested should fill out an application with all supporting information (application, one-page
essay and letter of reference) to the Governor's Office by March 30, 2013. Students selected to serve as a
youth leaders for the State of Mississippi and will be notified by April 15, 2013.
In order for students to be considered, all application packets must be complete. Students who are selected
will serve a one-year term. Completed Application (attachment) can be submitted to:
Attention: Dr. Nycole Campbell Lewis, State Coordinator
Office of Governor Phil Bryant
P.O. Box 139
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
For more information, email nycole.campbell-lewis@governor.ms.gov
2013 National School Change Awards and National Principals Leadership Institute
The 2013 National School Change Awards has been honoring schools that have made great
improvements. The organization is now accepting nominations. The deadline is March 11,
2013. Applications and more information are here: www.npli.org/nsca
Also, registration is now open for the 16th Annual National Principals Leadership Institute, a professional
development event for education leaders, July 13-19 in New York City. Complete details and online
registration are available at our website, www.npli.org
either item, please contact Jason Benjamin, at jbenjamin@npli.org, or (646) 233-2941.
EDUCATOR RESOURCES
FBI Wants to Make Students Cyber Safe
As part of its longstanding crime prevention and public outreach efforts, the FBI has announced a free
web-based initiative designed to help educate 3rd-8th grade students about cyber safety.
All public, private, and home schools are eligible to participate in the FBI-SOS Internet Challenge.
Through the website, students “travel” to their grade-specific island, which includes either seven or eight
learning portals to visit. Using different types of media, such as games and videos, these areas address
topics such as the protection of personal information, password strength, cell phone safety, social
networking, and online gaming safety. The videos include real-life stories of kids who have faced cyber
bullies and online predators. After students have completed all activities on the island, they are given an
exam.
Top scoring schools within categories which are based on the number of participating students are
awarded an FBI-SOS trophy and, when possible, receive a visit from a local FBI agent.
For more information, visit https://sos.fbi.gov.
2013 Mississippi Reading Fair Information Updated
The Mississippi Department of Education, through the Office of Curriculum and Instruction, is preparing
for the 2013 Mississippi Reading Fair. In preparation for this event, information has been updated
regarding regional reading fairs.
This year, registration for all regional competitions will be completed online using the North Mississippi
Education Consortium website. To begin, either sign in with your existing account or sign up for a new
account in order to manage and submit your students’ information.
Please use the directions below to access the regional reading fair registration website.
1. Go to www.nmec.net.
2. Click on the MDE logo near the middle of the page.
3. Click on the red “Reading Fair” button near the top right of the page.
If you have any questions about registration, please contact Lakechia Grant at (601) 359-2586 or by email
at readingfair@mde.k12.ms.us.
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction Open C&I Listserv
The Office of Curriculum and Instruction, in an effort to improve direct communication across the state
during the transition to CCSS, has created an open listserv. This list will use this to share updates and
resources with teachers, administrators, and other interested parties. Individuals can register directly for
this list at http://fyt.mde.k12.ms.us/subscribe/subscribe_curriculum.html. Registration links are also
available on the MDE C&I website and the MDE Common Core State Standards website.
Economics and Personal Finance Workshops Offered to Teachers
The Mississippi Council on Economic Education has several workshops scheduled for the spring, many
of them designated for elementary and middle school teachers. MCEE provides resources and training to
public and private K-12 teachers. The goal is to help schools and teachers provide quality instruction in
economics and personal finance to students. For more information on the workshops, visit
http://mscee.org/workshop-signup/.
The Mississippi Council on Economic Education Schedules Workshops
The Natchez Trace Parkway is very interested in partnering with schools who want to do projects that
relate to the Natchez Trace. All of the services are at no charge to schools. Services range from providing
funding for field trips to the Natchez Trace Parkway; free lesson plans; rangers leading field trips, visiting
classrooms, or distance learning connections; loaning equipment to produce videos; history and science
travel kits and trunks; to partnering on grant funded projects as an "in kind" partner.
For more information, contact Jane Allen Farmer at (662) 680-4015 or 4027or email
jane_farmer@nps.gov
Graduation Credit Checklist to Enhance School Counseling Services
During a recent visit, the Office of Dropout Prevention and Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement
discovered a great counseling tool called the “Credit Check” used by the Pearl Public School District. The
“Credit Check” is a school checklist which ensures that parents and students are aware of academic
standards. It also allows parents and students the ability to track district and state graduation
requirements.
The Office of Dropout Prevention and Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement with authorization
from the Pearl Public School District have created an applicable form, “The Graduation Credit Checklist”
that is available on our webpage to assist counselors across the state.
The Graduation Credit Checklist is designed to help students keep a record of their progress toward
fulfilling graduation requirements. It is the intent of the Mississippi Department of Education, Office of
Dropout Prevention and Compulsory School Attendance Enforcement to continue to encourage all
students to graduate with the correct and required number of Carnegie Units.
This checklist can help prepare students for future success and document accountability for counseling
programs and school districts. It can also improve parental participation by helping parents track and
monitor their children’s completion of clearly stated graduation requirements.
Mississippi‘s Shared Use Agreement Toolkit Now Available
This Best Practices Tool Kit for Shared Use Agreements in Mississippi has been prepared by the
Mississippi Department of Education’s Office of Healthy Schools in response to House Bill 540. The
Tool Kit is designed to be a guide to schools and communities who wish to enter into a shared use
agreement.
Specifically, House Bill 540 authorizes the use of school property and facilities for public recreation and
sports. Key Points in the bill are:

Authorizes local school boards to allow school property to be used by the public during
nonschool hours for recreation and sports.

Limits the liability of school districts and school district employees for claims arising from the
public’s use of school property and facilities for recreation and sports.

Encourages school districts to enter into shared use agreements with community organizations
and local governmental entities for purposes of recreation and sports.
If you are interested in entering a shared use agreement within your community, check out the Best
Practices Shared Use Agreement Toolkit found on the MDE website
http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/healthyschools under What’s New.
Driver’s Test App Now Available for Smart Devices
Through a partnership with Mississippi Interactive, LLC, the Mississippi Department of Public
Safety has made available a Driver’s Practice Test Application. The interactive application consists of 25
randomly generated test questions that provide an alternative way for citizen study for the Mississippi
Driver’s License Exam.
For additional information please visit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s website at
http://www.dps.state.ms.us.
DA System Clarification
In an effort to inform as many educators as possible about the new Federal Differentiated Accountability
(DA) System, our office along with the Office of Federal Programs has been traveling around the state
conducting training with a number of groups. We have two important goals in this process:
- Inform as many people as possible about the aspects of the new system
- Through an understanding of the system, build confidence among educators that the system is working
and is measuring accurately the progress of the students in Mississippi.
There have been a number of questions regarding the identification of the “Top 25%” and “Low 25%”
performing students in each school. These two percentiles are used to identify the “QDI Gap” in each
school. The “QDI Gap” is used as one criteria in identifying “Focus” Schools as part of the new DA
System.
For more information on this system, click here: http://www.mde.k12.ms.us/docs/federalprograms/ms_esea_flexibility_waiver_addendum_1_031212.pdf?sfvrsn=2
ED SAID Teaching Materials Available
Mississippi Public Broadcasting is partnering with the Office of Healthy Schools to address childhood
obesity. MPB is spreading a healthy message to benefit not only the children of Mississippi, but also
children outside of the state.
The ED SAID web-based program was developed by CJ Burks, who was inspired to develop the program
after learning about the work of one of Mississippi’s elementary physical education teachers, Kay
Strickland, from Corinth School District. Kay developed a classroom curriculum called “Moving with
Fruits and Vegetables”. Kay’s work incorporated physical activity into lessons that focused on eating and
learning about healthy foods.
ED SAID and his Lunch Bunch are available on the Internet in webisodes at EdSaid.org and
HotChalk.com (a learning management system designed specifically for the K-12 educator) and in an
animated music video that is broadcast on MPB’s television channel during MPB’s programming block.
To get your ED SAID program materials that include video, lesson plans and student activity materials
contact: Nikki McCelleis at nikki.mccelleis@mpbonline.org or login to EdSaid.org. For more information
about the ED SAID educational project, contact cphilley@mde.k12.ms.us or Nikki McCelleis.
Mississippi Schools Public Relations Association (MSPRA)
Great things are happening in public schools across Mississippi, and we want those stories to be told. The
Mississippi Schools Public Relations Association can help the communications professional in your
district tell those stories and get the media interested in what’s happening in your schools. By joining
MSPRA, you have the opportunity to network with other PR professionals and receive training about
effective communications. For more information, contact Sandi Beason at sbeason@clinton.k12.ms.us.
The Mississippi Children’s Museum
The Mississippi Children’s Museum (MCM) wants to be a resource for teachers. To find out more
information, sign up for the monthly Educator E-News. First, “like” MCM on Facebook, visit
www.mississippichildrensmuseum.com, or call (601) 981-5469.