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The CHALKBOARD<br />
rankin county Schools<br />
Northwest<br />
Northwest <strong>Rankin</strong> Middle School, in partnership with parents<br />
and community, is committed to providing all students with a<br />
challenging, quality education. Recognizing the uniqueness of<br />
each student, we will strive to produce lifelong learners who will<br />
be successful citizens in a rapidly changing society.<br />
With more than 850 students, each one is provided an<br />
opportunity to learn and participate in educational classes and<br />
extracurricular activities. NWRMS is an A-rated school with<br />
some of the highest state test grades in RCSD.<br />
“Student involvement is very important,” said Shea Taylor,<br />
principal. “We want every student to be involved in something.”<br />
Extracurricular activities include Cougar Choir, Jr. Beta Club,<br />
Theater, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of<br />
Christian Athletes, Academic Team, Math Counts, Green Club,<br />
Science Bowl, Yearbook, Writing Club, cheerleading, and dance<br />
team and athletics.<br />
This year NWRMS received a $3,000 grant from Mississippi<br />
Department of Education for a community garden. Students will<br />
be constructing and planting four raised beds. The project was<br />
inspired by our summer reading book, “Counting by 7s,” written<br />
by Holly Goldberg Sloan. “We are hoping the garden will be an<br />
annual project that will teach students about healthy choices,” said<br />
Alice Rainwater, vice principal.<br />
As part of the RCSD initiative of 1:1 technology, NWRMS<br />
started an eighth-grade tech team to assist students and teachers<br />
with laptop technology. This 17-member team works ‘quick fixes’<br />
that are needed and downloading software. By the 2017-2018<br />
school year all students, grades 7-12, will have a their own laptop.<br />
In December, students participated in an Hour of Code, a<br />
global initiative to introduce students to basic computer coding<br />
and introduce them to computer science.<br />
Pisgah<br />
Pisgah Elementary School is a rural kindergarten through sixth<br />
grade school located off of Hwy. 43 in north <strong>Rankin</strong> County. The<br />
school provides multiple opportunities for students to achieve<br />
skills to thrive in the twenty-first century, to attend college, be<br />
ready for the workplace, and be successful in the community.<br />
Pisgah Elementary School has an open-door policy to<br />
students, parents, and teachers, which creates a community spirit<br />
of cooperation. Students and faculty are honored at different<br />
events, as well as, parents and grandparents. These events are<br />
highly attended and foster community participation.<br />
Mrs. Michelle Land, a special education teacher, was recently<br />
named PES Teacher of the Year. She works diligently to accelerate<br />
learning for her students.<br />
Mrs. Susan Williford, PES music teacher, received a grant<br />
from Mississippi Professional Educators to begin a recorder club<br />
for her fifth grade students.<br />
Mrs. Misty Oster, Venture teacher, started the Jr. Beta Club<br />
last year. We are excited to have 54 members inducted this year, and<br />
these students participate in several community service projects.<br />
The goal of PES is to provide a safe and secure climate for all<br />
students who come to school to learn and succeed. A qualified,<br />
experienced staff works together to assure that the students are<br />
prepared to continue on their pathway to success through high<br />
school graduation.<br />
We are ready, we are respectful, we are responsible, and we are<br />
the pride of Pisgah!<br />
Follow us on Facebook or at www.rcsd.ms/pisgahes.<br />
86 • <strong>February</strong>/<strong>March</strong> <strong>2016</strong>