Plan to Attend May 4th Forum

Please plan to attend the joint SLE and SLHS meeting May 4 at 6 p.m. We will meet at the SLHS library to talk about some big changes planned at South Leake for next year. Help us by having this mentioned in your church this weekend. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT MEETING!
It has been a strange and challenging week, to say the least. We can tell that spring fever is here, and it is all we can do to stay focused on our school work. We need parents' help these last few days by encouraging children to do there best in school. Don't quit! What we do these last three weeks can make all the difference.
If your child is scoring anything less than an 85 in any subject, I encourage you to meet with your child's teacher immediately to discuss what can be done. Today, anything less than a score of 85 in the classroom translates to "below proficient" on the state tests. So, please get into the game, and let us work together to ensure our students are earning a great education. Contact me, if I can be of any help.
Jimmy Henderson
SLE Principal

Dodson at Carthage Library

Here I am with Dr. William H. Dodson who spoke recently at the Carthage Public Library. He was the superintendent of the Pearl School Systems during it's school shooting years ago. I'll tell you more after I have read the book.

May 2010 Newsletter

May Events

4 – Joint SLE/SLHS PTO meeting 6 p.m. at SLHS
3 – 7 Teacher Appreciation Week (National Teacher Appreciation Day – May 4; SLE Teacher Appreciation Breakfast will be sponsored by the SLE cafeteria May 19; Lunch for the staff will be sponsored by the Thursday Club on May 19)
11 - MCT 2 Reading
12 - MCT 2 Writing (dismiss at 3 p.m.)
13 - MCT 2 Math
14 - 3rd Grade Field trip to Golden Memorial Park
14 - SLHS Graduation 7 p.m.
17 - SLE Basketball Game
18- SLE Awards Day (grades 1-5 at 12:30 p.m.)
18- Kindergarten Awards Program 9 a.m. at Truelight Church
19- 9 Weeks Test Math
20- 9 Weeks Test Reading/Language Arts
20- 6th Grade Awards Ceremony
21- 9 Weeks Test Science/Social Studies/make ups
21 – 6th Grade Field Trip
21 – Students’ Last Day
23 - Gospel Singing at SLE sponsored by SL Boosters

SL Schools Transformation Forum
South Leake Elementary School and South Leake High School are working together to accomplish great things! The first collaborative effort will be to host the School Transformation Community Forum Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Leake High School library. During this informational session the Leake County School District Administrative Personnel will explain and discuss the school transformation process. All parents, community members, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Dr. Shirley H. Nichols, Assistant Superintendent of Education, at 601-267-4579.

Students to Take MCT2 Tests
Students in grades 3 through 8 will take the all-important MCT2 assessments May 11, 12, and 13. Please make certain that your child does his or her best by doing the following:
• Make sure students are at school by 7:40 a.m. so they can have breakfast and prepare for the tests;
• Make sure students get plenty of sleep;
• Bring two number 2 pencils daily;
• And talk about the importance of doing his or her best!

Awards Day(s) Programs Scheduled
Please plan to attend your child’s awards day program(s).

 May 18 – Grades 1-5 at 12:30 p.m.
 May 18 – Kindergarten at 9 a.m.
 May 20 – 6th Grade at 7 p.m.

Last 9 Weeks Tests Schedule
Teachers will announce on May 18 which student will be exempted from 9 weeks tests. The schedule is:
Wednesday, May 19 – Math and Science
Thursday, May 20 – Reading and Language Arts
Friday, May 21 – Social Studies and Make Ups

Parents may pick up students when tests are finished.
Note: School dismisses May 12 at 3 p.m.

South Leake Forum Set for May 4

South Leake Elementary School and South Leake High School are working together to accomplish great things! The first collaborative effort will be to host the School Transformation Community Forum Tuesday, May 4, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in the South Leake High School library.

During this informational session the Leake County School District Administrative Personnel will explain and discuss the school transformation process. All parents, community members, and other interested parties are strongly encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact Dr. Shirley H. Nichols, Assistant Superintendent of Education, at 601-267-4579.

It's Always a Climb

I want to thank Teresa Murrell for recently doing such an outstanding job with prepareing a display for our portion of the district wide Federal Programs meeting. Pictured below is the board. Mr. Carl Hathorn helped with the Moviemaker presentation that went along with the board.

Lawyer Visits Drury's Class

Local attorney Johnny Pope talked to the students of Mrs. Drury's class last week. This was part of "A Lawyer in the Classroom" program sponsored by the Mississippi Bar Association. Mr. Pope is always animate and exciting when he speaks to kids at school!

Family Friendly Movie Suggestion

I received notice of this movie in the email, and I want to share it with you. It looks like a good family movie, and it is recommended by http://www.fathers.com/. If you see it, report back what you think of it. Click on the link below for a preview:

http://support.fathers.com/site/MessageViewer?em_id=28101.1&printer_friendly=1

SLE Students Earn Art Honors

These students recently won ribbons and prizes for their art work entered in the contest sponsored by the Walnut Grove Thursday Club.

Pictures from left to right: DeKarrian Fortune, 1st Place; Breanna Highwtower, 2nd Place; Amaya Rufifn, 3rd Place; and Chassnae Carter, 3rd Place.

Gill Gives Pep Talk to Students

Mr. Dave Gill, county supervisor and department manager at Peco Foods, gave an inspirational talk to the students about what it takes to make it in the work place today. Hard work, discipline, and the buring desire to do what ever it takes are the keys to a successful career. 

Chamber Hosts Garden Expo

There will be 5th Grade Science Classes presented during the "Garden Expo" Saturday, April 10 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. It will be on the Carthage square on North Pearl Street west of the courthouse. Other activities will include:

• CHS FFA Plant Sale
• Local vendors
• Plant and seed swap
• MSU Extension Service Information Table

Leake County Public Schools Kindergarten Pre-Registration

For 2010-2011 School Year Is Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Times for kindergarten pre-registration:
Carthage Elementary 8:00 – 5:00
Edinburg A.C. 1:30 - 5:30
South Leake Elementary 1:30 – 5:30
Thomas Town A.C. 1:30 – 5:30

In order to enroll a child for 2010-2011 Kindergarten Class, your child must be 5 years old on or before September 1, 2010. Please bring the following to enroll your child in kindergarten:
• Certified Birth Certificate from the state department of health (not from the hospital)
• Certificate of immunization issued from the health department (shot cards are not acceptable)
• Social Security Card for your child
• 2 Documents proving residency that must have the same name and address as the kindergarten enrollment form. Suggested documents include:

Only 1 utility bill can be used for documentation, not 2

Driver’s license

Voter precinct identification card

Automobile registration

Mortgage documents or property deed

Apartment or home lease/rental

Filed Homestead Exemption application form

Affidavit of Residency

The following documents to prove residency CAN NOT BE ACCEPTED:

doctor bills

bank statements

insurance forms

any bill other than utility bill

Leake County School Calendar 2010-2011

LEAKE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

2010-2011 DISTRICT CALENDAR

August
2 100% Professional Development
3 100% Professional Development
4 First Day Students, 60% Day

September
6 Labor Day Holiday
8-10 Progress Reports

October
5, 7, 8 1st. 9 Weeks Test
15 Fall Break Day
18 100% Professional Development

November
10-12 Progress Reports
22-26 Thanksgiving Holidays

December
15, 16, 17 2nd. 9 Weeks Test
17 60% Day
20 Christmas Holidays Begin

January
3 100% Professional Development
4 Students Return from Christmas Holidays
17 Martin Luther King Holiday

February
2-4 Progress Reports
18 100% Professional Development
21 President’s Day/Make Up Day 1

March
8, 9, 10 3rd. 9 Weeks Test
11 100% Professional Development/
(Possible Make up Day 3)
14-18 Spring Break

April
20 Progress Reports
22 Good Friday Holiday
25 Holiday/Make Up Day 2
27 Full Day of School for State Testing

May
11 Full Day of School for State Testing
20, 23, 24 4th. 9 Weeks Test
24 Last Day Students
25 100% Professional Development
26 (Possible 100% Professional
Development Make up day)

Leake County School District Mission Statement

The Leake County School Board has worked to create a new mission statement for our schools. Here it is:

MISSION:

The mission of the Leake County School District is:
To provide a high quality education that will increase the learning of all students.

Vision:
Leake County School District’s vision will be to graduate

critical thinkers with the skills and knowledge to succeed in life.

April Newsletter

April
3 – 6th Grade Boys Retest
5-9 – Universal Screening for Grades 1-6
6 – Mr. Dave Gill Speaks
14 – Kindergarten Registration
14 – Catfish Dinner Fundraiser
20 – Progress Reports
23 – District Federal Program Meeting
23 – 2nd Grade AR Reward Trip to WG Library
30 – PTO Ballgame

From the Principal:
I want to thank all the parents who help our students and teachers. Mrs. Ruffin asked me to thank Tip Griffin and Tanya Evans for helping with the concessions this week. I’m sure there are lots more parents who help that I fail to recognize formally, but please know that your help is noticed by the teachers and students here. For more school news, go to my blog at http://jhenderson-southleakeelementary.blogspot.com.
Kindergarten Registration: April 14
If you or someone in your family has a child who will be 5 years old by September 1, please note that SLE will be registering students for kindergarten for the ’10-’11 school year from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on April 14. Call 253-2324 for information.
SLE Students Win Youth Art Contest
The Walnut Grove Thursday Club awarded SLE students for their work entered in this year’s Youth Art Contest. Student winners were: DeKarrian Fortune, first place; Breanna Hightower, second place; Amaya Ruffin, third place; and Chassnae Carter, third place. A picture of these students and their work can be found on Mr. Henderson’s blog at http://jhenderson-southleakeelementary.blogspot.com.
Mrs. Ruffin Is SLE’s Teacher of the Year

The staff selected 5th and 6th grade Language Arts teacher Mrs. Laquitta Ruffin as SLE’s teacher of the year. Her dedication and love for students and teaching makes her an outstanding candidate. Mrs. Ruffin also heads up the school’s PTO, and she was a key producer of this year’s popular Black History Program. Also nominated by the staff were Pam Sistrunk, Mary Ann Vivians, Crystal Todd, Esther Drury, and Jean Dunn.
SLE Jr. Beta Entertains at State Convention
Wallace Bass and Keviyun Hutchins performed their rendition of “I’ll Be There” at this year’s state Jr. Beta Convention held in Tupelo. Jaylah Kennedy, Desmond Stewart, Brandon Williams, and Mytasia Giles participated in the Quiz Bowl.
School Seeks Parent Input for ’10 -’11 Year
SLE is planning to meet April 21 at 1 p.m. at the school to seek input from parents, community members, and staff for budgeting federal funds for the 2010-2011 school year. Please plan to attend.
School Scheduled All Day for April 28
Students will go to school all day Wednesday, April 28 because of state testing. Please note that school will dismiss at 3 p.m. that day.
Morgan Makes AR Distinction

Johnny Morgan told Mr. Henderson Friday that he was the only student on the 5th/6th grade hall that has earned his AR goal every month this year. Upon checking with Mrs. Alford, Mr. Henderson discovered that Johnny was correct! Mr. Henderson said, "Way to go, Johnny!"