Communicator
Information for the Grenada School District Community
GSD Defined as
“Fully Accredited”
March 21, 2012
GHS National Honor Society Welcomes New Members
Superintendent's
Message
Dr. David Daigneault
The Grenada School District recently
received the rating of “Fully Accredited” from the recent evaluation process
conducted with the AdvandED group.
Advance Education (AdvancED) is the
parent organization for the North Central
Association Commission on Accreditation
and School Improvement (NCA CASI)
and the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools Council on Accreditation
and School Improvement (SACS CASI).
Accreditation, a voluntary process for
establishing educational excellence, provides regional recognition of our educational quality and sets our District apart by
defining the credibility and performance
of our District, pronouncing the quality of
our educational processes, and providing
substantiation for potential residents, businesses, and industries.
In the past, GSD had been involved in
individual school accreditation through
SACS. Because of the rigor and relevance
involved in “District” Accreditation and
because we, as a district, believe in the
AdvancED philosophy of “unifying school
improvement and aligning that improvement with overall district improvement”,
GSD chose to be a part of the “District”
Accreditation process.
SACS Coordinator Dr. Becky Terry
states, “While accreditation is a set of
rigorous protocols and research-based
processes for evaluating an institution’s
organizational effectiveness, it is far more
than that. Today accreditation examines the
whole institution—the programs, the cultural context, the community of stakeholders—to determine how well the parts work
together to meet the needs of students.”
The GSD was visited and analyzed by a
Quality Assurance Review Team comprised of professional peers with diverse
experience. The review process provided
our District and community with validation, recognition, feedback, and a direction for improvement. During the on-site
review, team members visited all schools
and interviewed a variety of stakeholders
including board members, administrators,
teachers, staff, community members, and
students.
In the report from the review team, Grenada scored highly functional, the highest
category in four of the seven standards
rubrics. The highly functional category
is defined as, “The district is exceptional
in its demonstration of the standard and
exhibits practices not commonly found
in other schools. A small percentage of
districts have standards at this level.” The
standards receiving the highly functional
rating were: 1. Vision and purpose, 2.
Governance and leadership, 3. Resources
and support systems, and 4. Stakeholder
communications and relationships. The
remaining three standards were rated at the
second highest level, operational, and were
listed as follows: 1. Teaching and learning,
2. Documenting and using results, and 3.
Commitment to continuous improvement
Current National Honor Society members welcoming new inductees are, (front row l to r) Ashley Briscoe, Lorrin
Marter, Kaitlin Harrison, Ashley King, Tysheann Grant, Shavonna Herron, Keisha Trotter, Sunni Willis, Karen Chan,
Olivia Worthy (2nd row l to r) Amber Herring, Shelby Phelon, Randi Daniels, Leigh-Ann Parker, Richard Nail, Cassie
Bennett, Morgan Jackson, Presley Coleman, Kelcy Reece, Blaire Albritton, Faith Ford (3rd row l to r) Blake Guinn,
Anna Heimbach, Lindsay Wood, Taylor Norris, Cristen Eikner, Jerry Clark, Laura Katherine Barker, Chace Holland,
Austin Henderson, Jessica Hood, and Eddie McCurdy. Not pictured : Dani Denley, Jessica Kane, Valencia McFadden, Christina Shirley
New Inductees in the National Honor Society include, (front row l to r) Kim Fortner, Diksha Dadlani, Amber Wilson,
Courtney Simmons, Kjirsten Whitsell, Shinique Tisdale, Ariel Chavis, Peyton Phelon, Janie Turner, Devin Frost
(2nd row l to r) Katey Breedlove, Joe Gafford, Daulton Byars, Garner Vance, Bryant Poe, Blake Williams, Deidre
Trotter, Jacolbi Daughtry, Taya Jones, Ambriel Kinney (3rd row l to r) Kaitlin Junkin, Mallory Carrithers, Breanna
Bess, Alexandra Brasher, John Coleman, Cesley Ross, Brittany Smart, Becca Livingston, Brianna Stevens (4th row
l to r) Marty Gilliland, Tanner Aldridge, Payne Horan, Chris Holly, Jacob Simmons, Clayton Walls, Dhruvin Patel.
Not pictured : Kayla Gafford, McKenzie King, Justin Kinard
Horticulture Students Prepare for Sale
es. When studying about trees and
shrubs, students created a digital
leaf collection with a PowerPoint
presentation on the computer. Students found pictures of trees and
other information on the Internet to
use in their presentation.
In December students designed
a floral arrangement using silk
flowers, made a corsage, and decorated a grapevine wreath for the
holidays. Students gained a better
understanding of the floral industry
through these activities and were
able to share their creativity with
family members.
Money from the annual plant
sale purchases supplies such as
pots, soil, seeds, silk flowers,
wreaths, ribbons, and ornaments
Tanisha Carter, Lexie Ashmore, and Haley Hudson organize hanging baskets in
the greenhouse preparing for the sale.
for the horticulture program for
the next school year.
Successful propagations of species
The horticulture classes apBy Allison Ashmore
have
included
wandering
Jew,
mosquito
preciate
the
return of any pots and trays
Horticulture Teacher
plant, coleus, Swedish ivy, maple leaf
for recycling within the program. This
hibiscus, and sweet potato vine.
year’s annual plant sale is scheduled for
Horticulture students at the Grenada
Indirect seeding is defined as planting
Saturday, April 14, from 8:00 am until
Career and Technical Center have been
busy preparing for their annual plant sale. seeds in one place and transplanting them 11:00 am. The sale will take place at the
to a more permanent location to complete Grenada Career and Technical Center on
The students have been studying horthe growth process. Some seeds need a
Jackson Avenue within the greenhouses
ticulture methods in the classroom and
period
of
darkness
to
germinate
so
the
behind the school.
implementing the objectives in hands-on
trays of cell packs are covered until the
activities. Students have established and
For a complete list of available plants
seedlings emerge.
increased the number of plants through
see page 8.
Not all work is done in the greenhouspropagation and indirect seeding.
Communicator, March 21, 2012, Page 2
GES Grant Provides
Reading Backpacks
Jakaila Amos, GES Librarian Lynne Marascalco, Kayden Ashmore, Jacob
Harrison, and Reid Mullen check out Reading Backpacks at the library.
By Lynne Marascalco
GES Librarian
The new reading program, “Read - at
- Home Backpacks”, obtained by a grant,
is available for students and parents to
share at home. “This program bridges
the gap between school and home to
bring reading time to support developing
skills for our young readers,” says GES
Librarian Lynne Marascalco.
Every backpack includes a storybook
and a laminated sheet of suggested
activities for parents to complete with
their child. Many of the storybooks also
have accelerated reader test available. If
a child completes a special project activity such as drawings, journal writings,
or mobiles, they can be displayed in the
library. Library staff will also have special times during the week for students to
take an AR test. Marascalco states, “This
is a wonderful way to involve parents
and children in activities at home and
also serves as a method to motivate and
promote reading.”
LANDMARK REALTY
1360 Sunset Drive, Suite One
Grenada, MS. 38901
(662)226-4454
www.coldwellbankergrenada.com
Lions Club Service Activities
By Pamela Hubbard
Lions Club Member
The Grenada
Lions Club has as its
service and mission
to serve those who
need assistance with
sight and hearing.
Every year the Lions
Club screens sight at
the Grenada School
(left to right) Sally Whalley Rupp, Lions Member
District Elementary
Morris
Hubbard and Lions Club President Helen Walker
Schools to ensure that
all students can see
each with a different degree of hearproperly. If a child
ing loss and different needs in learning.
shows signs of needing further testing,
Parental permission is given to assess and
the school nurse is informed. The Lions
train students. She may show a teacher
have helped students’ families eligible
how to break down or translate regular
for financial assistance purchase glasses
through the generosity of 20/20 Eye Care lessons into a format understood by the
and Lions Club funds. Every year several hearing impaired student or tutor students
in the skills they need to continue funcstudents have been able to successfully
tioning in the classroom.
learn because the Lions Club Screening
Ms. Rupp said, “ My goal is to encourbrought awareness to their sight need.
age
students and assist them in optimizing
Since the Lions Club is also interested
their skills. They just need some assisin hearing impairment, Sally Whalley
tance and special techniques to do so.”
Rupp, CED-HI, Itinerate Teacher of the
Ms. Rupp offers a free public beginDeaf/HH with Grenada School District,
described her work with hearing impaired ner’s sign language class on Tuesday
evenings from 6 – 7 p.m. at the Grenada
students for club members. A Deaf EduHigh School.
cation Specialist, she travels from school
to school to work with several students,
Youth Advocacy Training...
The American Lung Association in partnership with the Mississippi State
Department of Health, Office of Tobacco Control and the MS Tobacco Free
Coalitions offered Youth Advocacy Trainings for students. Representing the
GSD were, (front l to r), MTFC Director Sue Mashburne, Perry Clemons, Brittany Smart, Dillon Smart, (back l to r) Chance Davis, and Dyllan Stroup, (not
pictured, Jeremy Smart and Hayden Provine).
SACS Evaluation
During the recent SACS evaluation the Quality Assurance Review Team commended the Grenada School District for the following:
• The Superintendent is a visionary and passionate leader who sets the direction of the school district by being an instructional leader and a compassionate supporter for “meeting the needs of all students.”
• The fine arts programs have been recognized at the local, state, and
national levels for outstanding products and performances with real audiences for validation.
• There is an expectation that building administrators are visible in class- • During the recent SACS evaluation the Quality Assurance Review Team determined that the Grenada School District must act on the following rooms daily and that equity and diversity are honored by teachers, staff, required actions:
and students.
• Communication and collaboration with the community is seen as a clear strength in supporting the many curricular and co-curricular op-
portunities and activities in the schools with an outstanding amount of involvement among community service organizations, partnerships with area educational institutions, and parent organizations.
• Implement a comprehensive system to help students transition from one level of schooling to another. Plan specific events to orient both parents and students to the expectations in the next level of education from home to school and from Kindergarten through grade 12.
• Design a comprehensive program evaluation plan to determine the
• There is a wide range of opportunities for ALL students to learn at organizational effectiveness of the programs and initiatives implement- expected levels with the many interventions, enrichment activities, and ed in the schools.
competitions available each year for students K-12, both in the schools and in the community.
• Determine their cost effectiveness and level of success over time to move the district toward successful completion of the goals for the school system.
Communicator, March 21, 2012, Page 3
GUES Presents The Wizard of OZ
Brianna Shaw and Taylor Evans
Reed Madden and Markyel Pittman
Elizabeth Muselwhite
Sara Murphy
Amyria Kimble and Kylie Haile
(Left to right) McKenzie Cummings, Elizabeth Sansing, and Alissa Aldridge
Madison Mallett
8 Line
Top Flight
Writing Tablets
$1.79
(Left to right) Hayden Pickle, Cade Whitfield, Cody Junkin, Gracie
Gustafson, Austin Moore, Erica Stanford, and Zoey McClain
Criss Office Supply
2245 S. Commerce St. in Grenada • Hwy. 51 South • 226-1901
Regular Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-12 Order online at www.crissofficesupply.com
WOUND CARE
At any given time almost six million Americans
suffer from chronic, non healing wounds that can
become seriously infected, or worse. The Wound
Care Center located in the Physician’s Office
Building on the Grenada Lake Medical Center
(GLMC) campus, is staffed by specially trained
staff, who will provide a thorough diagnostic
examination to identify the type of wound and
best treatment options for your personal needs.
Dr. Liza Banaag beside the “Healing Tree”
Treatment options include:
(Left to right) Colin Keys, Shauna George, Caleb Mayfield, and
Sterlin George
Conventional or Advanced Wound Dressings
Antibiotic Therapy
Nutrition Counseling
We work
Education/Prevention
closely with
Protective Footwear
your
physician
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Bioengineered Skin Grafts
Surgery
Hyperbaric Technician Monitoring Patient
For information call: 662-227-7445
GUES Science Fair 2012
Communicator, March 21, 2012, Page 4
Physics
Best of Fair - Elora Clark, Runner Up
Best of Fair - Davion Rosenthall
Behavioral & Social Sciences
(front l to r) Hunter Logan - 4th, Mary Claire Jacks 5th, Sydney Matrisciano - Honorable Mention, (back
left to right) Donovan Ross - 1st, Andrew Ferguson
-2nd, Baker Blake - 3rd
(front l to r) Elora Clark - 1st, Benji Kendall - 2nd, (back
left to right) Elizabeth McElwrath - 5th, Baylee Trusty 3rd, and Casalee Burroughs - 4th
(Photo right)
(front l to r) Landon
Holliman - 2nd, Heidi Clark - 1st, Michael Walton - 4th,
(back l to r) Derrion
Young - Honorable
Mention, Jay Taylor
Evans- Honorable
Mention, Baylee
Marshall - 5th, Morgan Banks - 3rd
Chemistry
Earth, Space, & Environmental Sciences
(front l to r) Shivani Kumar - 1st, Patrick Manuele - 2nd, Jake Manuele - 3rd, (back l to r) Shaunna George - 5th, Hannah Smith - Honorable Mention, Brandon Lott - Honorable Mention, Abigail Martin
- Honorable Mention, Jamya Benson - 4th
Medicine & Health
(front l to r) Katelyn McNatt - 1st, Madison Mallett - 2nd,
Hayden Beck - 3rd, (back l to r) Adison Bell - Honorable
Mention, Chris Davis - Honorable Mention, Phillip Cook
Honorable Mention, Timothy Herrington - Honorable
Mention
Biochemistry
Zoology
( l to r) Allie Roberts - 2nd,
Gracie Gustafson - 1st, Ashlee
Hankins - 3rd, (not pictured) Ragan
Wooldridge - 4th
(front l to r) Lindsey Griffin - 3rd, Anna Gray Neely - 2nd,
Christian Willis - 1st, (back l to r) Huey Chan - Honorable
Mention, Bryce Smith - Honorable Mention, Alana
Wallace - 4th, Austin Moore - 5th
(Photo left)
( l to r) Ben Brasher - 1st,
Anna Hurd - 2nd, CisLee
Trost - 3rd, Abby Williams
- 4th
Botany
(Photo right)
( l to r) Haley Ferguson - 3rd,
Colton Gray - 2nd, Reed Austin - Honorable Mention, Davion Rosenthal - 1st, Dawson
Ballard - Honorable Mention
Microbiology
(front l to r) Klare McMechan - 1st, Zach Braswell - 2nd,
Maeci McCullough - 3rd, Mallory England - 4th, Cale
Gatlin - 5th
Engineering