Hometown Rankin - February & March 2016

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