Education

UNCF and Tougaloo College at the forefront of creating the next generation of professionals

The Mississippi Link Newswire

Partying with a Purpose will be the motivational force Friday, October 26th at 7:00 p.m. in the Trustmark Ballroom for those attending the 2012 UNCF Masked Ball. The Masked Ball is a major fundraiser for the UNCF Scholarship Campaign at Tougaloo College.

The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Tougaloo College have been partners since 1944 tirelessly devoting their energies to increasing the number of minority college graduates. “With the impact of the economic turmoil on the income of families and the shrinking of federal aid, it’s good to have the support of such organizations as UNCF,” commented Patricia Johnson, UNCF Coordinator at Tougaloo College…. […]

Education

Mississippi returns to its roots with new Teaching Garden initiative

By Ayesha K. Mustafaa

Staff Writer

Davis Magnet Elementary School set the new pace for changing the trend that shows Mississippi as the leading state in obesity and in food insecurity, when it became the first school in Mississippi to receive a Teaching Garden, piloted by the American Heart Association (AHA) last year on a national level.

The American Heart Association’s Teaching Gardens program selected Davis, thanks to a sponsorship by the Jackson Heart Foundation. This program uses a school garden to teach students about nutrition and inspire them to eat more fruits and vegetables…. […]

Education

In a cash strapped district JPS continues to spend

Board of Trustees approves big-spending measures

By Othor Cain

Managing Editor

Faced with questions about big spending in his former school district, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Cedrick Gray vows to remain focused on JPS and moving this district forward. “I cannot afford to lose sight of what is before us, even with lingering questions,” Gray said. “Everything we did in Fayette County, Tenn., was above board and done with board approval.”

Last week Gray asked JPS board of trustees to approve hiring a financial team that would help with restructuring its debt and save the district money. Gray submitted to the board some background on the team and the reason he wanted to bring them on board. What he did not give them were hard cold numbers on cost or projected savings…. […]

Education

MISSISSIPPI’S FIRST TEACHING GARDEN SPRINGS UP AT A LOCAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Davis Magnet Elementary school will reap fresh veggies and fruits this Spring

JACKSON, MS – On September 20, the American Heart Association unveiled Mississippi’s first Teaching Garden with the support of the Jackson Heart Foundation. The first school to receive the garden is Davis Magnet Elementary in the capital city, which is locally sponsored by the Jackson Heart Foundation.

The American Heart Association Teaching Gardens is an innovative national, school-based program to re-establish what it means to be healthy. Aimed at elementary school students, the Teaching Garden program provides hands-on learning experiences rooted in offering nutritional choices. […]

Education

Jackson City Council raises property taxes for JPS

District needs tax hike for debt services

By Othor Cain
Managing Editor

If you live anywhere in the Southeastern portion of the United States, then you should be familiar with yearly events held in this part of the country titled “Battle of the Bands.”
The Jackson City Council recently took to the chambers and staged its own version of the popular competition appropriately titled “Battle of the Budgets.”
In a two-day council meeting, that included the blame game, members of the Jackson city council approved the city’s budget and approved a 2.5 mills (tax) increase to meet the school district’s $86 million budget request…. […]