Pitsco Taps Cliff Powers for Advisory Group

January 30th, 2015

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Pitsco Education, the company that is the provider of STEM equipment at JA, has selected Lower School STEM instructor Cliff Powers to serve on an advisory group for the company. Members of the Teacher Advisory Group (TAG) serve a yearlong appointment. The acceptance letter noted that “The Product Innovation team at Pitsco Education reviewed all applicants for the Teacher Advisory Group (TAG) and determined those most qualified to assist in the projects outlined for 2015. Over the course of the next 11 months, you will be asked to provide feedback on classroom activities, products, and ideas to Pitsco Education. Many of the efforts will be displayed on Pitsco Education’s website, marketing materials, and social media.”

Cliff Powers said he is looking forward to having an inside view of our STEM equipment provider and the company’s products. “This is particularly exciting for me as Lower School STEM instructor, as I will be given a unique opportunity to introduce, test market, and hopefully incorporate, the very latest products and curricula in my classroom,” he said.

Click here to read more from Pitsco: 2015 Teacher Advisory Group ready to roll.

Scholars Prepare for College with ACT Preparation and Testing

January 30th, 2015

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Jackson Academy junior and seniors who have scored 29 or above on the National ACT include the following pictured above: (from left, back) Zach DePriest, Rebecca Nosef, Caroline Duncan, William Bell, Chandler Sessums, Hayden Berry, Davis Rippee, Matt Whitfield, Kyle Kantor, Thad Scott, Dalton Gibson, Tyler McClellan, Cory Tirman, Gavin Funderburg, Brennan Canton, Hannah McCowan, Amanda Ray, Ray Edward Stevens (front) Will Varner, Wyatt Powell, Will Tribble, Mary Brooks Thigpen, Elizabeth Burford, Robyn Hadden, Georgia Gibson, Danielle Hodges, Hannah Jane LeDuff, Maris Hardee, Tori Roberts, Anderson Helton, Jake Manning, Grady Fisher, and Gordon Campbell. Not pictured: Curt Knight.

Students who have scored a minimum of 29 on the National ACT are eligible for the Mississippi Eminent Scholars Grant, a $2500 per year grant awarded to in-state residents pursuing their first degree at an approved postsecondary institution in Mississippi. Recipients of the grant also must have maintained a high school cumulative grade point average of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale.

JA is known for establishing high expectations for students by creating a school culture that identifies and communicates the need for all students to meet or exceed ACT College Readiness Benchmark Scores. The school engages students in early college and career awareness, helps students set high aspirations, and ensures that they plan a rigorous Upper School course load.

This year JA has offered a yearlong elective that focuses on PSAT/SAT and ACT skills for sophomores and juniors. All sophomores and juniors are encouraged to consider the class. For those who cannot work the elective into their school day because of a full course load, JA offers a PSAT workshop for juniors before school.

ALL FOR ONE…The JA Way

January 16th, 2015

The-JA-Way-Graphic The Jackson Academy community celebrated the launch of a revised mission statement and new language to express JA’s unique strengths and qualities January 15 and 16.

JA President Cliff Kling presented the revised statement of our enduring mission, developed through a careful, yearlong process of gathering input from the JA community by members of the Mission Statement Task Force.

JA Mission Statement
Click here to view the Mission Statement Presentation video
Lisa Jordan from the Atlanta firm Mindpower, Inc. revealed the findings from her company’s work with JA’s students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees to identify and communicate the qualities that make JA special. The presentation included The JA Way, a four-point statement that powerfully demonstrates the school’s positive, collaborative, progressive, and student-centered educational approach. She also presented a brand statement that conveys the spirit of the school.

 

Click here to enlarge the image. Click here to enlarge the image.

VIDEOS FROM THE EVENT

 


Brand Statement Video
Mindpower Presentation

W-Tribble-PresentationSenior Will Tribble, one of the student members of the Mission Statement Task Force, developed a presentation for Middle and Upper School students that he gave Friday. He discussed the task force’s rationale behind the revised wording, pointing out the traditional elements that were carried forward and the newer language and its intent.

Jackson Academy is grateful to all the individuals who took part in the mission statement and the brand identity programs by participating in a survey, focus group, task force, or preparing for the three events. Thanks to the JA Jazz Band for providing music, the Student Council for providing childcare, and the JAA for organizing the Thursday reception. Special thanks also go to Trustee Vice-chair Ashley Willson, who moderated the Thursday evening program, and to seniors Wesley Rule and Eliza Lundy who provided invocations at the events.

Visit jaband.blogspot.com to view the band photos of the event.

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Wendy’s Heisman Winners

January 29th, 2015

wendys web31The Wendy’s High School Heisman Program honors high school seniors with a leadership award for well-rounded young men and woman. Students who apply are judged based on their academic achievements, athletic accomplishments, community-leadership, and involvement in various extracurricular activities during grades 9 through 11.  Scholarship Management Services, the nation’s largest designer and manager of education recognition programs evaluates applicants and determines School Winners.  Hannah Jane LeDuff and Zach DePriest were chosen as JA School Winners in the 2015 competition.