Mississippi News
Jackson Public Schools receives $9 million pre-K grant
JPS receives $9 million to expand pre-K access
The Jackson Public School District is expanding pre-kindergarten services through a $9 million grant from the state, allowing them to serve more 4-year-olds in the city.
The grant comes from the statewide early learning collaboratives program, which are pre-K programs made up of partnerships among school districts, Head Start agencies, childcare centers, and nonprofit groups. The state's early learning collaboratives have earned high marks for quality on national reports, but have previously been critiqued for limited access.
The JPS collaborative will serve an additional 460 students and is part of a move to double the number of students served statewide by fall 2022. By August, 30 collaboratives will be serving more than 6,000 children across the state.
The Jackson collaborative includes JPS, Jackson State University's Lottie W. Thornton Early Childhood Center, Little Saints Academy, and Head Start provider Hinds County Human Resource Agency. It will serve 1,226 students, approximately the same number that are currently enrolled in kindergarten with the district.
“The idea behind the collaborative is really to expand access to the same high quality that they would experience in a school-based pre-K program, and to provide the same resourcing and professional development so that you elevate teaching and learning on both ends,” said Michael Cormack, deputy superintendent of JPS.
The collaborative will follow the state's newly released “Mississippi Beginnings” pre-K curriculum, and will host professional development opportunities once a month on Saturdays. The grant will allow the district to compensate teachers for this additional time, and the trainings will also be open to other childcare professionals that aren't a part of the collaborative.
JPS Superintendent Errick Greene said in a statement that this grant will help prepare more students to experience success in school. Cormack said the expansion will eliminate the need for considerations of financial need or waiting lists that had previously been a part of JPS's pre-K admissions process. The program is currently enrolling students and recruiting teachers, and the district is putting an emphasis on trying to get parents to register early so they can plan accordingly.
“I think what's really exciting is that with the addition of Jackson, we will become the largest collaborative and we will help to build the scale of what the state of Mississippi has been doing,” Cormack said. “Ultimately, we're hopeful that as we prove this concept and we prove that pre-kindergarten works, that we can help to build to scale the ability to serve all four-year-olds throughout the state. We view that as a part of our challenge, demonstrating what is possible here.”
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
One injured in Mississippi officer-involved shooting after chase
SUMMARY: A suspect in Clay County, Mississippi was shot by a deputy after a chase on April 26th. The driver refused to stop the vehicle, leading the deputy on a brief chase. The driver displayed a firearm towards the deputy, prompting the deputy to shoot. The driver was taken to the hospital, and the deputy was unharmed. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation will be investigating the shooting and will share their findings with the Attorney General's Office.
The post One injured in Mississippi officer-involved shooting after chase appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Flywheel Festival features antique engines, food, fun
SUMMARY: The Spring Flywheel Festival in Houston, Mississippi, attracted large crowds and highlighted improvements at the park. The festival featured food vendors, antique flywheels, and tractor games, showcasing the hobby and lifestyle of restoring and exhibiting old engines and tractors. Attendees could also shop for clothes, hats, toys, and other items at the festival, which ran through Saturday. The event drew the largest Friday afternoon crowd in its history, and visitors enjoyed a variety of activities and entertainment. For more information and a complete schedule, interested individuals were directed to visit seechickasaw.com.
The post Flywheel Festival features antique engines, food, fun appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Golden Triangle Landfill hosts hazardous waste disposal day
SUMMARY: The Golden Triangle Landfill in Mississippi hosts a Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day each spring to allow citizens to safely dispose of hazardous materials. Executive Director Jimmy Sloan emphasized the importance of proper disposal to protect groundwater, as many household products are classified as hazardous waste. A company is hired to sort and package the materials for appropriate disposal. Tires, electronics, and other items also require special precautions. The goal is to provide a convenient and environmentally friendly way for citizens to dispose of waste properly. The collection day is held at the landfill and aims to educate and encourage responsible waste disposal.
The post Golden Triangle Landfill hosts hazardous waste disposal day appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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