I hope that everyone was able to keep warm and stay well, during the very cold weather that we had last week. Thank God for the warmth and light that the sunshine provides for us humans. I also hope that we (that’s me included) remember to extend a helping hand to others when a need is seen and/or made known to us. Afterall we can never know when we will need the help of others.
School News:
Varnado Jr./Sr. High School (VHS/VJH):
*The Annual Black History Program is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 27th @ 10am.
Wesley Ray Elem. (WRE):
*Dr. Katera Blackburn is a native of Angie and is the daughter of Easter Michelle Jefferson, the late Dwight Blackburn and has one brother, Nichols Blackburn. She attended Wesley Ray Elementary and graduated from Varnado High 2017 with Honors. She attended Alcorn State University on a full scholarship and graduated with a B.S. Political Science (2021). She then returned home to teach at Wesley Ray Elementary, while completing her Master’s of Public Administration-Education (2022) from the University of LA at Monroe (ULM). Her journey to obtain her Doctorate Degree ensued soon thereafter. It was completed in 2024 at ULM as well and her Dissertation was as follows: Repeated Reading Intervention to Improve Middle School Student’s Reading Motivation. Dr. Katera Blackburn is currently employed as an Assistant Professor of Literacy within Alcorn State’s school of Ed. and Psychology. She stated, “I love education and I plan to devote my life to fostering a passion for education among the future generations”. Furthermore, Dr. Blackburn shared that she appreciates her supportive host of family and community members.
As a result of her strong background in Education, Dr. Blackburn was invited to be the Guest Speaker at WRES for the Black History Program/An Educational Experience, on Friday, Feb. 22nd. She spoke to the students about fairness vs unfairness, practicing equity and practicing inclusiveness on a level that was easy for them to understand. In addition, the students presented through: representing Black Americans that made major contributions, performing the “Negro National Anthem” and dancing to the song “Wade in the Water”.
*Celebrating Dr. Seuss is in full swing this week (Feb. 24-28). Students have dressed/are dressing in pajamas, worn animal print, worn their clothes backwards/mismatched or inside out and dressed as their future profession. What a fun way to promote Reading so that students learn to enjoy it!
*The January Teachers and Staff Members of the Month are: Fifth Grade Teacher-Angela McMullin; Pre-Kindergarten Teacher-Daphne Laurant; Custodian - Bernell Weary and Cafeteria-Kathy Pittman. Congratulations!
Reflections:
*For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. —(Nelson Mandela)
*Love one another unconditionally. *GPigott
