Marshall gears up for new school year


Thursday, August 13, 2009
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Marshall gears up for new school year

By SUE WATSON
Staff Writer


Getting organized Mindy Gresham, who teaches kindergarten, organizes materials.	Photos by Sue Watson New teacher Amy Poteet just completed her elementary education degree at Ole Miss and is a first-time teacher of the third grade at MA.

There is lots of energy and excitement in the halls and classrooms of Marshall Academy this week as teachers and students return to classes with freshly painted walls and new floors.

There are several exciting changes in curriculum as well, according to headmaster Jane Hubbard.

“I think it is going to be a great school year,” she said. “The teachers are working hard moving materials and furniture back into their classrooms and unpacking.”

All materials and furniture were removed from the school at the end of the spring semester so the facilities could be renovated throughout. The first step was to remove asbestos that was used when the buildings were built in 1974. Then all floors were resurfaced with epoxy resin, a tough and durable floor covering that replaces the 40-plus-year-old tile blocks and should last another 40 years.

All bathrooms at the school were repainted; new furnishings were installed where needed.

“They started the work as soon as school was out and went all summer and we moved back in all buildings on Monday, August 3,” Hubbard said.

She is pleased with enrollment this year, with several new families in the community who will be sending their children to the school. Nine children were enrolled since August 3. The enrollment is still growing, she said.

Some other fresheners include new attractive welcoming flagpole banners that will be placed near the entrances to the school.

Outside there will be more landscaping provided and installed by school board president Tim Liddy, Hubbard said.

There are several new faculty members.

Academics are being refreshed as well. The school will offer French I and II; a new study skills course will be taught in junior high; electives are being offered in sociology and psychology; grades four, five and six have a new science curriculum; new math curriculum; and seniors will be offered 12 hours of honors college credit in English, U.S. history and college algebra. The honors credits apply toward high school graduation and transfer to college.

Duel enrollment classes are taught on-line through Mississippi State University and a classroom teacher helps with the labs.

Helping hands
Seniors Emily Burk (right) and Hannah Boatwright help get elementary classrooms ready for school.

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