News and Announcements

Congratulations to the Calhoun Jets B-Team girls basketball team for winning the Jones County Championship. The girls also had an undefeated 10-0 season! Go Jets!
Group Picture Names:
Top L-R: Harper Green, Trinity Boyd, Abbie Merchant, Reese Gray, Laila Lott Bottom L-R: Lakelyn Piner, Audrey Martin, Kennedy Carr, Maliyah Ducksworth, LB Mauldin

As their their team mates, parents, and coaches looked on, seven NEJ Soccer players signed to play JUCO soccer next year. Araceli and Esmeralda Figueroa, daughters of Pedro and Mary Figueroa signed with Jones County Junior College. Corban William - son of Richard and Tammy Williams, and Harrison Hodge - the son of James Q. and Rebecca Hodge, signed with Holmes Community College, while Rebecca Gregory - daughter of Jason and Sarah Gregory, Mallorie Price - daughter of Kevin and Jessica Price, and Jonathan Blackledge - the son of signed with Meridian Community College. They are pictured with (standing, l-r) Keith Braddock-NEJ Athletic Director, Casey Stroo-NEJ Soccer Coach, Dr. Jennifer Lowery-NEJ Supervising Principal, Matt Reid-NEJ Soccer Coach, Brooke Zugg-NEJ Soccer Coach.

2017 Junior High Most Photogenic - Chloe Lyons
2017 Senior High Most Photogenic - Ethan Davis
2017 Junior High Miss Congeniality - Daetyn Turner
2017 Senior High Miss Congeniality - Araceli Figueroa

(l-r) Araceli Figueroa, Tyreece Hudson, Juvon Keys, Savanna Brown-High School Most Beautiful, Mason Smith-High School Most Handsome, Laken Windham, Cole Mozingo, Raegan Byrd, Jaysen C. Doggett.

(l-r) Khloe Shafer, Sam White, Charlee Strickland, Tristan Mize-Junior High Most Handsome, Macey Hill-Junior High Most Beautiful, Chloe Lyons, Bryce Sullins, Cameron Hodge, Lawson Moncivais.

As his coach, supervising principal and family looked on, Northeast Jones Defensive End Tyreece Hudson signed to play football with Jones County Junior College next year. Pictured are (seated, l-r) Tamaria Newell, Tyreece Hudson, Kenny Hudson. (standing, l-r) Dr. Jennifer Lowery - Supervising Principal, Keith Braddock - Athletic Director.

As his parents, coaches, and fellow players looked on, Northeast Jones baseball stand out Reid Reynolds signed to play baseball for Pearl River Community College next year. He is the son of Keith (seated, left) and Lisa Reynolds (seated, right) of Heidelberg. (Pictured standing, l-r) Ronnie Joe Parker, Golden Spikes Supper Team Coach; Keith Braddock, NEJ Athletic Director; Dr. Jennifer Lowery, NEJ Supervising Principal; Jeremy Parker, NEJ Head Baseball Coach; Hunter McKievier, NEJ Baseball Coach; Robert mcCrory, NEJ Baseball Coach.

A few of the Jones County School District Library Media Specialists, recently represented and dazzled at the 2018 MegaResources School Librarian Workshop. This event was held at the Mitchell Memorial Library on the campus of Mississippi State University. The MegaResource School Librarian Workshop series began in 1999 as a series of workshop sessions, developed and presented by Mississippi State University Libraries, for school librarians throughout the state of Mississippi. Designed to cover topics related to technology, instruction, and online databases. Mrs. Leighan Griffin from East Jones Elementary and Mrs. Otha Keys from South Jones High School were both requested to be special session speakers and present their engaging and instructional library practices for using the MAGNOLIA online databases. Mrs. Griffin’s session focused on exploring the basics of MAGNOLIA available for elementary students and teachers (K-6th grade) and understanding ways it can help assist library media specialists across the state meet the MDE standards and guidelines for managing an effective school library program. Mrs. Otha Keys’ session also focused on exploring the database basics but was geared more toward the resources available for high school students and teachers by providing hands-on guidance for librarians to implement the resources available in MAGNOLIA and help assist them plan collaborative and engaging lessons with their teachers.
(L to R) Mrs. Leighan Griffin from East Jones Elementary, Mrs. Otha Keys from South Jones High School and Mrs. Rhonda Perkins from West Jones High School

Donna Powell has been teaching for nineteen and a half years. Most of this time has been with Jones County Schools. She is currently teaching dyslexia therapy and reading intervention for Glade Elementary and East Jones Elementary. Mrs. Powell received her degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and Mississippi College. She is married to Tyler Powell and they have two children, Matthew, 17, and Timothy, 14. Both of her boys, she is very proud to say, are FFA officers for the Northeast Jones High Chapter.

Congratulations to our top participants in this year's St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Math-A-Thon: I. Vance, L. Brownlee, A. Thornsberry, C. Taylor, R. Blue, A. Thornsberry, J. Webb, M. Ray.

Recently, a few of our EJE 3rd grade students had the opportunity to help plant a new tree on our campus in anticipation for National Arbor Day. This holiday is meant to encourage people, whether in groups or as individuals, to plant and care for trees. In 1885, Arbor Day became a legal holiday and is celebrated on different dates around the world depending on climate and suitable planting season. In much of the United States, Arbor Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of April. We would like to thank the representatives of the Jones County Forestry Association, Masonite Corp. and Jones County Extension Services for conducting and help make this event possible.

The B.E.S.T. Club (Better Education Starts Today) recently donated $500.00 to the West Jones Middle/High School Library Media Center. Mrs. Perkins used the funds to buy new books and library furnishings. All the West Jones students greatly appreciate the thoughtful generosity of the B.E.S.T. Club! B.E.S.T. Club is a parent-teacher organization that promotes academic achievement through various awards, including scholarships. They meet every third Monday at 5:30 in the WJH media center.

Fabian Pickering--Signed Letter of Intent with East Central Community College--Football Pictured: Seated--Nakailya Pickering-mom, Fabian, Linda Pickering-Grandmother Standing: Sylvia Pollet--Grandmother and Layla Pickering, sister Macayla Johnson--Signed Letter of Intent with East Central Community College--Soccer Seated with her--Danielle Jones

WJH Peer Council recently taught Tar Wars to 4th and 5th graders at West Jones Elementary and North Jones Elementary! Tar Wars is an anti-tobacco program that stresses the terrible consequences from the use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and vapes. Council members played games and used visuals to actively engage student learning. Peer Council hopes that everyone will BE TOBACCO FREE!! Peer Council is taught by Denise Graves with help from Angie Bynum, JCSD Nurse. Pictured are: Haylee Walters, Madalyn Stringer, Rhiannon Williams, Tanner Anderson, Conner Coleman, Hunter Green, Kolbi Holifield, Abby Segrest, Maria Terry, Victoria Nguyen, Isabella Brashier, Melanie McLaurin, Chelsey Dry, Marley Mixon, and Shelby Bean.

Four West Jones High School seniors signed letters of intent to continue playing at the Junior College level. Congratulations! Pictured from left-right: Fabian Pickering--East Central Community College, football; Allie James--Jones County Junior College, soccer; Macayla Johnson--East Central Community College, soccer; and Anna Grace Gieger--Jones County Junior College, soccer.

West Jones High School art students Cassie Winship, Karson Wardell, and J.P. Person were recently selected to compete in the 2018 Scholastic Art Competition. 2,000 entries were received from around the state for this event. Earning a Gold Key and Silver Key is Karson Wardell (pictured middle). Karson’s Golden Key entry will move on to compete nationally and will hang in a show at the MS Museum of Art. J.P. Person also won a Silver Key (pictured left), and Cassie Winship (pictured right) earned an Honorable Mention.

Amy Walters has been teaching in Jones County for 18 years, and 11 1/2 of those have been spent in 3rd grade where she currently teaches math and science. Mrs. Walters received her BS degree in Elementary Education at the University of Southern Mississippi and then pursued her master's degree in Elementary Education at William Carey University. She is married to Bryan Walters and has two children, Logan & Anna Cate.

Howard Industries, Inc./Howard Technology Solutions donated 30 laptop computers, a printer, a cart, 2 tablets, and over 100 new books to West Jones Middle/High School! The books are titles requested by students, and the tablets will be filled with ebooks and audio books. The 30 laptops + printer + cart will become a mobile lab for all West Jones teachers to utilize as needed. The students and faculty are very thankful for the generosity of Howard Industries, Inc./Howard Technology Solutions!

Students at South Jones Middle School have been learning about Environmental Science and Ecology. Sabrina Cummings, Conservation Biologist our Outreach Coordinator for the MS Natural Science Museum, and Meacham Harlow, Region 4 Outreach Officer for the MS Forestry Commission visited the 7th grade students in Ms. Glaze and Mr. Pierce’s science classes. Ms. Cummings and Ms. Harlow helped the students construct a giant food web and by doing so were able to illustrate that if one species has problems, it can affect the ecosystem as a whole. The speakers discussed endangered and extinct species and how they have affected Mississippi ecosystems. They also brought an American Alligator named Boudreaux for the students to observe.

Endia Holliday signed with Jones County Junior College to play basketball Pictured: Father Derrick Holliday, Endia, Mother Ebony Holliday AD Cory Reynolds, Principal Dr. Ladner, Head Coach Sherri Cooley, Principal Dr. Jones

Max Sharp signed with Meridian Community College to play baseball Pictured: Mother Julia Sharp, Max Coach Lucky, Head Coach Rogers, Coach Rogers

Grace Stringer signed to play softball for Pearl River Community College Pictured mother Rachel Stringer, Grace, father Chris Stringer Head Coach Hodge, Principal Dr. Ladner, AD Cory Reynolds

Reid Golemon signed with Pearl River Community College to play baseball. Pictured -- Father , Reid, Mother Jennifer Golemon, Coach Luckey, Head Coach Rogers, sister MacKenzie Golemon, Coach Rogers

West Jones High School senior Allie James recently signed a letter of intent to play soccer for the JCJC Lady Bobcats. Pictured are: Front--Bobby James, dad; Allie; Felicia James, mom Back--WJHS Supervising Principal Cooper Pope; Bailey James, sister; WJ Coach Joshua Sullivan; WJ Athletic Director Scott Pierson; WJ Coach Craig Winship; and Rob James, brother.

West Jones High School senior Anna Grace Gieger recently signed a letter of intent to play soccer for the JCJC Lady Bobcats. Pictured are: Front--Steve Gieger, dad; Anna Grace; Julie Gieger, mom Back--WJ Coach Joshua Sullivan; WJHS Supervising Principal, Cooper Pope; and WJ Coach Craig Winship

2017 District Reading Fair 1st Place Winners They will advance to the Regional Reading Fair in Hattiesburg in January.

Ricky Cook has been the P.E. teacher at Glade Elementary since August of 2009. Ricky graduated from William Carey College in 1978. He lives in the Glade Community and attends Mount Vernon Methodist Church with his wife, daughter, and son. He enjoys hunting, fishing, gardening, and listening to children laugh.

Sixth graders in Ms. Holifield's World History class recently presented Narratives featuring Anne Frank and those who hid with her family to escape Nazi persecution. Students also had the option of presenting their story from Mouschi the cat's point of view!

Congratulation to our EJE Tiger Cub art winners from the South MS Fair Art Competition. Best in Show, Pencils: Emilee Hembree, 6th Allred 6th Place, Painting: Abby Hodge, 5th Mackey 2nd Place Mixed Media: Jacob Thatch, K Ingram

A BIG, thank you to our local Powers VFD, who recently came and talked to our students about the importance of fire safety. The students learned how to crawl to safety in case of a fire and how to stop-drop-and-roll if they were to ever catch on fire. They discussed being careful around matches, lighters, and gasoline. Students were given tips on how to run to safety and calling 911. The firefighters also showed the students what they looked like fully dressed so the kids wouldn't be scared if they saw them in a burning house trying to rescue them. Our tiger cubs enjoyed wrapping up the lesson with up close tours of the fire truck. After the visit, students in Mrs. Jessica Smith's class wrote thank you letters to all the amazing fire fighters that came to make this lesson so memorable.

East Jones Elementary recently hosted its first Family Reading Night of the year in the library. Mrs. Leighan Griffin, EJE’s Media Specialist was so excited to see so many parents attend this event. Parents were able to see their students in AR action, from selecting and reading books to taking AR quizzes. Door prizes were drawn and a few lucky readers won free books. Congratulations to these readers!

The second grade classes at Glade Elementary demonstrated their knowledge of text features through an "operation" of an informational text. Pictured above: Ms. Ulmer's class (C. Phillips and D. Fenton)

The 4th grade Star Reach students at Glade Elementary became junior scientists as they learned about the parts and function of a microscope as well as its history. They practiced making slides and focusing while calculating the level of magnification. They all agree that learning about science is MAGNIFICENT!

South Jones Elementary has been awarded a $1,000 grant from Allstate. Thank you to The Allstate Foundation and Allstate volunteer David Niezgoda for being a positive force for change by volunteering. His efforts enabled South Jones Elementary to receive an Allstate Foundation Helping Hands in the Community grant. Pictured are: Juanna Warren, assistant principal; David Niezgoda, Allstate Agent; Mark Vaughn, assistant principal.

Here are some pictures from Mr. Paul Anderson's 5th grade class projects on building cell models. Students had to include the cell parts from their notebooks in the LEGO model and the paper tube model, as well as including labels for the parts. This was an enrichment activity for STAR Reach days.

The Glade Elementary Junior Beta Club recently inducted new members. Officers led the ceremony and challenged new members to strive to serve others, be good leaders, be of good character, and strive for academic excellence. Officers this year that led the induction ceremony were: E. Johnson, President; S. Staples, Chaplain; A. Belding, Secretary; B. Hearn, Reporter; R. Branch, Treasurer; and K. Taylor, Historian. Vice President, C. Norwood, were inducted at the ceremony. The Glade Junior Beta Club 6th grade inductees are C. Baucum, N. Brabham, B. Byrd, N. Carroll, A. Chastang, D. Forest, I. Howard, A. Jordan, S. Mack, N. McLain, E. Moore, C. Rose, J. Stokes, and V. Williamson. The 5th grade inductees are K. Bolton, B. Boreman, G. Conrad, A. Cruz-Rodriquez, D. Ellard, E. Gainey, M. Guardado, C. Hancock, M. Heathcock, B. Henley, A. Hodges, J. Johnson, J. Lowery, J. McAndrew, J. Morgan, C. Norwood, K. Van Orden, C. Rayner, and M. Williamson.

Jimmie S Williams is the Star Reach Gifted Education teacher for Glade Elementary. She has been a teacher for 22 years, and 18 of those has been in the field of Gifted Education for Jones County. Mrs.Williams is a graduate of Jones County Junior College, The University of Mississippi and William Carey. She is proud to call Laurel her hometown and resides there with her husband Glenn, and five daughters. She enjoys boating and fishing on the coast as well as playing with her new grand daughter in her spare time. She and her family attend Salem Heights Baptist Church. One of her goals as a teacher is to instill a love for learning that will last a lifetime.

Pictured (L-R): Lisa Ishee (Supervising Principal), Amber Cochran, Brandi Sullivan, Regina Rogers, Amber Flynt, Tiffany Moss, Jennifer Allred, Stephanie McDonald, and Stephen Brown (Assistant Principal).

Pictured Left to Right: Kevin Lucas, James Walters, Nick Presley, Tadd Walters, and Scott Jackson.

Left to right row 1: Lori Dry, Mason Dry, Mackenzie Jordan, Amy Jordan second row: Left to right: Derrick Dry, Callie Shows (Jones Representative/Former West Jones Cheerleader) Coach Bender, Kallie Jordan, Derek Jordan, Kennedy Jordan, and John Robinson.

Pictured are : l-r---Kevin Rustin, dad; Dillon; Stone Rustin, brother; Vanessa Rustin, mom
Standing are : l-r---Coach Craig Winship; Braxton Rustin, brother; and Coach Josh Sullivan

Front row: Samuel Waldrop, 1st place; Christopher Martin, 1st place; Sean Dearman, Honorable Mention; Brandon Stringer, 1st place. Middle Row: Mackenzie Masters, 2nd place, Abbigail Williams, 1st place; Kade Matthews, H.M.; Eva Kiparizoska, 2nd place; J.P. Person, Best in Show; Cindy Ngo, 1st place; Angilique Thames, 1st and 2nd place; Faith Gavin, 3rd place; Jeanie Ni, 2nd place. Back: Katlin Clark, 2nd place; Karson Wardell, 3rd place; Nakiyah Jordan, 1st and 3rd place; Kristen Poore, 2nd place; Bailey Smith, H.M.; Hannah Harrison, 2nd place and H.M.; Kerry Pitts, H.M. Not pictured: Emmy Scruggs, 1st place; Rogelio Reynoso, 2nd place; Virginia Hosey, two 2nd places; Paulleen Lam, 3rd place; Emily Harrelson, 3rd place; Jaiden Mertins, 3rd place; Everitt Hosey, 3rd place; MaKayla Pollard, 3rd place; Kylie Williamson, H.M.; Julia Berry, H.M.; Lauren Stevens, H.M.; Sara Ellzie, H.M.; Mason Dry, H.M.; Annalise Todd, H.M.; Creed Broom, H.M.

West Jones High School Art Students recently participated in Congressman Steven Palazzo’s 4th Congressional District Student Art Contest. Mason Dry (pictured middle bottom) was voted Best-in-Show. Mason’s art will hang in the United States Capital for the duration of a year, along with other Congressional winners from around the U.S. Mason’s achievement won him airline tickets to the Congressional Art Forum in Washington, DC, this summer. Other West Jones students also placed in this competition. Painting: 1st place, Kayla Yates (left); 2nd place, Mason Dry. Mixed Media: 1st and 2nd place, J.P. Person; 3rd place, Sara Graves (middle left). Drawing: 3rd place, Mason Dry. Printmaking: 2nd place, Lauren Stevens (middle right). Overall runner-up, Katlin Clark (right).