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McComb Schools Ask, "Why Education?"
The McComb School District has implemented an initiative called WHY EDUCATION? which supports the Destination Graduation initiative launched by the Mississippi Department of Education last year.
WHY EDUCATION? Is a community engagement campaign designed to achieve community support for the purpose of helping to raise the awareness of the value of learning and the importance of keeping our kids in school.
In January 2008, the McComb School District's Advisory Board hosted "Let's Answer the Question" for the purpose of involving the community with developing the answers for WHY EDUCATION? Through a collaborative effort among various stakeholders the following bulleted statements represent the thoughts and ideas of the stakeholders who participated in the meeting.
WHY EDUCATION?
* EDUCATION increases economic opportunities
* EDUCATION creates a culture that values learning
* EDUCATION encourages personal fulfillment
* EDUCATION unites and empowers communities
A community meeting conducted in April 2008, led to the adoption of the "Five Promises". The wrap-around supports defined by America's Promise Alliance are the key resources every child needs in order to be successful. The district has invested in WHY EDUCATION? signs, buttons and advertisements to assist our efforts in urging the community to help us teach our children the importance of staying in school.
Other initiatives sponsored by the McComb School District's Advisory Board include:
- Power to Soar For Life, a county-wide event that recognizes that our youth are our county's greatest asset and strives to involve all stakeholders whose desire is to ensure that our youth reach their full potential. We held our 2nd Annual Youth Leadership Conference on April 18 -19, 2008, with Michael Chatman and Miss Mississippi, Kimberly Morgan, as keynote speakers. More than 450 youth, parents, and community members participated in this event.
- LIGHTS ON! After-School, the national celebration of after-school programs that focuses on the benefits of after-school programs for youth-, was hosted by the Advisory Board in September 2007. The event which featured a Punt, Pass and Kick competition drew participation from state, county and city elected officials. Proclamations were issued by the Mississippi Speaker of the House, the Pike County Board of Supervisors and the Mayor and Board of Selectman for the City of McComb. Over 500 students, parents, and community members participated in this event.
The district and advisory board are planning our 3rd annual Light's On! After-School celebration October 30, 2008. The event will feature - Survival of the Tiger Competition.
- The 24th Street Church of Christ, a major supporter of the school district, hosted its 3rd annual Back-to-School Bash August 2008. The event had a "carnival" atmosphere. School administrators, teachers and staff were onsite to talk with the parents and the community about the upcoming school year. The church provided over 400 bags of school supplies to the children and families of the Algiers community.
The McComb School District and the Advisory Board are continuing our community engagement efforts. Our efforts to organize and expand all of our stakeholders include:
The advisory board has met two times since school resumed in August. Committee chairs have been selected according to the America's Alliance's Five Promises: Caring Adults, Safe Places, Effective Education, A Healthy Start, and Opportunities to Serve Others.
The superintendent of schools has appointed a 15 member student advisory council. The primary goals for the group include: giving them opportunities to serve, helping spread the word that achievement matters, and encouraging their peers to stay in school.
We believe that in order to have a Level-5 school we must have a Level-5 community. We also believe that a Level-5 community will allow the McComb School District to:
* Decrease our drop-out rate
* Obtain level-5 academic status
* Organize energetic and effective community stakeholders
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