My kids are saying that for next school year, 6th graders will not go to NWRMS, but stay at their elementary feeder school. Anyone else hearing this? I'm assuming this is to temporarily Alleviate overcrowding at the middle school.
OT Question for Northwest Rankin Parents
- Thread starter greenbean.sixpack
- Start date
They told the teachers yesterday.
They have no more room at the middle school and it will now just serve 7th and 8th grade. 5th graders (rising 6th graders) will stay at whatever of the five elementary schools they go to and the sixth grade teachers are going to get placed in the elementary schools. So, expect some nice new portable buildings to go up at your kids elementary school.
A new school should have been built 10 years ago.
ETA: It's a permanent thing unless a new school is built. Elementary school in the Northwest District is now 3-6.
They have no more room at the middle school and it will now just serve 7th and 8th grade. 5th graders (rising 6th graders) will stay at whatever of the five elementary schools they go to and the sixth grade teachers are going to get placed in the elementary schools. So, expect some nice new portable buildings to go up at your kids elementary school.
A new school should have been built 10 years ago.
ETA: It's a permanent thing unless a new school is built. Elementary school in the Northwest District is now 3-6.
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Actually they used to, but it become cool to oppose taxes period, regardless if
new schools were needed. I will never forget a sixty something lady being up in arms about the last bond issue because the district spent money on (gasp!) Ipads for the teachers!@#!#!#@ Oh, the humanity!
new schools were needed. I will never forget a sixty something lady being up in arms about the last bond issue because the district spent money on (gasp!) Ipads for the teachers!@#!#!#@ Oh, the humanity!
I don't care for the current administration or school board, but Rankin County needs to step up and pass a bond issue badly and get a new high school built for Northwest Rankin. The area is the cash cow for the rest of the county and it going to start affecting property values.
As you said
NWR has needed a new HS for a long time. However, BHS seems to always get the money. The RCSB is full of a bunch of idiots & corrupt clowns.
NWR has needed a new HS for a long time. However, BHS seems to always get the money. The RCSB is full of a bunch of idiots & corrupt clowns.
This is correct. Best friend's wife is a teacher in that system and voted against it because of the overspending on athletics that was tagged on.
As I understand it ...
The "overspending on athletics" was basically taking NWR and Brandon football facilities to a closer level of those in Pearl, Clinton and all of Madison County. You know, when people coming into the area are evaluating schools, those top notch football facilities in Madison, Clinton and Pearl stand out against the 80 year old concrete bleachered facility at Brandon, despite Brandon being the defending state runner up.
I don't like tax payer money necessarily paying for artificial turf, but the fact is, people moving in and people settling down are moving to Madison, and all of those tax dollars are going there as well, paying for those fields 10 times over every year. And property values in the Flowood/NWR corridor are going to take a huge hit without a new high school.
NWR voters passed the last bond issue, it was the rest of Rankin County who voted it down because the "NWR a'int gonna get a new high school with my money" in Pelahatchie and Puckett. If another bond issue fails, I fully expect Flowood to pull a Pearl/Clinton and form their own school district. Pearl doesn't pay RCSD taxes. If you take Dogwood and the rest of the Reservoir tax base - RCSD is nothing.
The "overspending on athletics" was basically taking NWR and Brandon football facilities to a closer level of those in Pearl, Clinton and all of Madison County. You know, when people coming into the area are evaluating schools, those top notch football facilities in Madison, Clinton and Pearl stand out against the 80 year old concrete bleachered facility at Brandon, despite Brandon being the defending state runner up.
I don't like tax payer money necessarily paying for artificial turf, but the fact is, people moving in and people settling down are moving to Madison, and all of those tax dollars are going there as well, paying for those fields 10 times over every year. And property values in the Flowood/NWR corridor are going to take a huge hit without a new high school.
NWR voters passed the last bond issue, it was the rest of Rankin County who voted it down because the "NWR a'int gonna get a new high school with my money" in Pelahatchie and Puckett. If another bond issue fails, I fully expect Flowood to pull a Pearl/Clinton and form their own school district. Pearl doesn't pay RCSD taxes. If you take Dogwood and the rest of the Reservoir tax base - RCSD is nothing.
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Rankin County Schools Admin Building:
Madison County Administration Building is located in an 80 year old recycled school. Clinton is located in a 2000 square foot building in a 30 year old neighborhood. The Superintendent's office in Clinton is smaller than the private bathroom in the superintendent's office pictured here.
Madison County Administration Building is located in an 80 year old recycled school. Clinton is located in a 2000 square foot building in a 30 year old neighborhood. The Superintendent's office in Clinton is smaller than the private bathroom in the superintendent's office pictured here.
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I'm hearing that Pete Hurt has much of the money needed to make major upgrades to the NWR stadium. As the stadium stands now, it is an embarrassment.
My son is a fifth grader at NWRE also. He was very upset when I picked him up this evening saying the same thing. He has been looking forward to transferring. I personally blame it on them building Northshore instead of enlarging the middle school. I told him I would believe it when I heard it from the school system because I thought he might have misunderstood. Guess not.
Good luck to him.
My wife's 6th grade class has 29 students in it right now, and there are 17 classes in sixth grade right now. Your kid's fifth grade class behind them is even bigger. Now they aren't going anywhere and new third graders are moving in. He may be sharing a desk and text book.
I'd urge all parents with kids in the NWR district to start raising hell. The teachers are and could use the help. Even if you don't have kids and are in the NWR zone, this affects the value of your property.
My wife's 6th grade class has 29 students in it right now, and there are 17 classes in sixth grade right now. Your kid's fifth grade class behind them is even bigger. Now they aren't going anywhere and new third graders are moving in. He may be sharing a desk and text book.
I'd urge all parents with kids in the NWR district to start raising hell. The teachers are and could use the help. Even if you don't have kids and are in the NWR zone, this affects the value of your property.
My 5th grade son is upset too, but logistically it works out better for us for him to stay at Oakdale for another year.
My kid's at Oakdale and they took a tour of the middle school last week. But I'm hearing that Highland Bluff kids trip to the middle school was called off and they were told today that they will be in portables next year.
Really? So if Northshore hadn't been built, where would all of those kids be in school right now? Bottom line to all this, if the bond issue had passed, NWR would be much closer to being where it needs to be instead of overcrowded to the hilt. I've got a kid at Northshore and one at NW Middle. Northshore is an absolute great school for our kids and there are some great teachers at the middle school as well. It's just a shame that NW Middle is already overcrowded, and now next year Northshore will be too.
Much more happened behind the scenes to kill the last bond issue, mostly from my understanding in the Brandon area. I voted yes and most of NWR did as well. If Brandon would've voted for it, the bond would've passed. Like I said there were many factors working against this in Brandon and it truly amazes me that those folks are so short sighted not to see that a need to improve the athletic facilities to draw more folks in, keep property values up and be a great place for families to move too. I am also a former Brandon resident. There is no reason in the world that Brandon shouldn't be growing as much or more than Flowood at this time. But the unwillingness of the voters in that town and its leadership have basically killed the growth of the town. The exit at hwy 18 should be booming. Everything from that exit to the new high school should be developed by now with shopping centers, movie theatre, etc... Yet after Home Depot built there, what else has? I lived in Brandon when the vote came to allow liquor be sold and it was defeated by a landslide. Until the old foggies are gone from there, Brandon is doomed. And before all you Brandon folks kill me, where do you go to shop? Where do you go to eat? Where do you go to watch a freaking movie? Shouldn't you be able to do these things in your own town?
The reason for all this rambling is I'm pissed my kids are goin to be in schools in portables and I'm blaming you for making this last bond fail. There will be unnecessary things thrown in to every bond, every bill, every anything political written. You just have to look at the big picture and see if the benefits outway the negatives. Well the failed bond would've moved our county in the right direction and in the long run been a very positive move. Dd the football field and other athletic facility improvement s at Brandon and NWR require a huge investment? Hell yes they did. Do both schools need the improvements? Hell yes they do. Are these improvements gonna have to be made in the future? Hell yes. The only NO in this is will it be less expensive to build these facilities in the future? Hell no!
Much more happened behind the scenes to kill the last bond issue, mostly from my understanding in the Brandon area. I voted yes and most of NWR did as well. If Brandon would've voted for it, the bond would've passed. Like I said there were many factors working against this in Brandon and it truly amazes me that those folks are so short sighted not to see that a need to improve the athletic facilities to draw more folks in, keep property values up and be a great place for families to move too. I am also a former Brandon resident. There is no reason in the world that Brandon shouldn't be growing as much or more than Flowood at this time. But the unwillingness of the voters in that town and its leadership have basically killed the growth of the town. The exit at hwy 18 should be booming. Everything from that exit to the new high school should be developed by now with shopping centers, movie theatre, etc... Yet after Home Depot built there, what else has? I lived in Brandon when the vote came to allow liquor be sold and it was defeated by a landslide. Until the old foggies are gone from there, Brandon is doomed. And before all you Brandon folks kill me, where do you go to shop? Where do you go to eat? Where do you go to watch a freaking movie? Shouldn't you be able to do these things in your own town?
The reason for all this rambling is I'm pissed my kids are goin to be in schools in portables and I'm blaming you for making this last bond fail. There will be unnecessary things thrown in to every bond, every bill, every anything political written. You just have to look at the big picture and see if the benefits outway the negatives. Well the failed bond would've moved our county in the right direction and in the long run been a very positive move. Dd the football field and other athletic facility improvement s at Brandon and NWR require a huge investment? Hell yes they did. Do both schools need the improvements? Hell yes they do. Are these improvements gonna have to be made in the future? Hell yes. The only NO in this is will it be less expensive to build these facilities in the future? Hell no!
Actually it wasn't even teachers. The event that pissed people off was when the state and county budgets were so bad a couple of years ago and the entire SCHOOL BOARD got Ipads.
Wow. That's even worse. That just shows the school board (and the teachers unions for that matter) are there to merely serve themselves and not the students.
My son toured the middle school Wednesday.
ETA: I just "3 On Your Side"ed Dr. Weathersby's ***. Lets see him sweat when Burt Case starts stalking him.
On a brighter note, whose kids are going to the big dance Friday night at Mississippi Cheer Academy?
ETA: I just "3 On Your Side"ed Dr. Weathersby's ***. Lets see him sweat when Burt Case starts stalking him.
On a brighter note, whose kids are going to the big dance Friday night at Mississippi Cheer Academy?
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I am pissed at Brandon for voting down the bond.
I am equally pissed at the board for not immediately analyzing the bond failure and putting up another one with just the necessities. I see that as a power move to punish Rankin Co for not being slaves to Weathersby.
I am equally pissed at the board for not immediately analyzing the bond failure and putting up another one with just the necessities. I see that as a power move to punish Rankin Co for not being slaves to Weathersby.
My sister is the director of a preschool...
All the teachers have ipads. They use them for classroom observation, their child development tracking software is on there, they are able to send the required progress updates to the state using them, and more.
A few weeks ago, I found out that every kid in my old high school is issued an ipad. Its a public school in the Chicago burbs, just fyi since its not in MS. Anyways, I was shocked to hear. But lesson plans can be sent to them, tests can be taken on them, research is at the fingertips of all the kids, etc.
If 8 teachers at a preschool each have one for work and use them productively on a daily basis, then I wouldnt second guess high school or even middle school teachers having a productive use for them.
As for all the kids at my old high school? Yeah, I cant imagine they are used for only only work. But its a world of technology- better give kids the tools and show them how they work, otherwise others will and your kids will be behind.
All the teachers have ipads. They use them for classroom observation, their child development tracking software is on there, they are able to send the required progress updates to the state using them, and more.
A few weeks ago, I found out that every kid in my old high school is issued an ipad. Its a public school in the Chicago burbs, just fyi since its not in MS. Anyways, I was shocked to hear. But lesson plans can be sent to them, tests can be taken on them, research is at the fingertips of all the kids, etc.
If 8 teachers at a preschool each have one for work and use them productively on a daily basis, then I wouldnt second guess high school or even middle school teachers having a productive use for them.
As for all the kids at my old high school? Yeah, I cant imagine they are used for only only work. But its a world of technology- better give kids the tools and show them how they work, otherwise others will and your kids will be behind.
I have some first hand knowledge on the IPad gate...
It wasn't through any public tax dollars first of all. It was a grant that had to be used on classroom technology, and they got them for the teachers. If you want to know what they are used for, feel free to follow my wife around at school for a while. Also, they can't bring them home. They stay at school. My wife got to be part of a pilot program for sixth grade and she has one for every kid in her class. As far as I know, she's the only one with them and shares them with the 16 other sixth grade classes.
Technology is long past getting here, people. It's an incredible tool for the teachers and students. And no, they don't come loaded with angry birds.
It wasn't through any public tax dollars first of all. It was a grant that had to be used on classroom technology, and they got them for the teachers. If you want to know what they are used for, feel free to follow my wife around at school for a while. Also, they can't bring them home. They stay at school. My wife got to be part of a pilot program for sixth grade and she has one for every kid in her class. As far as I know, she's the only one with them and shares them with the 16 other sixth grade classes.
Technology is long past getting here, people. It's an incredible tool for the teachers and students. And no, they don't come loaded with angry birds.
The Apple products tend to be more expensive than similar tablets and notebooks. Most schools already have computers in the classroom. I just have a problem with a cash strapped county issuing a debt notice to purchase something that already meets their needs.
Looks to me like a metal building with a facade on the front. What's the big
Deal? I wouldn't get past the planning commision in Madison
Deal? I wouldn't get past the planning commision in Madison
Rankin County Schools Admin Building:
Madison County Administration Building is located in an 80 year old recycled school. Clinton is located in a 2000 square foot building in a 30 year old neighborhood. The Superintendent's office in Clinton is smaller than the private bathroom in the superintendent's office pictured here.
Agreed...
I have children in elementary and preschool at a local academy in Jackson and the students use IPads and Ipods respectively for most of their lessons. The teachers also use IPads and from what I have observed, would be hard pressed to do their jobs effectively without them. There is a lot of interactive software and lesson material stored on them.
I have children in elementary and preschool at a local academy in Jackson and the students use IPads and Ipods respectively for most of their lessons. The teachers also use IPads and from what I have observed, would be hard pressed to do their jobs effectively without them. There is a lot of interactive software and lesson material stored on them.
The Apple products have better educational capabilities
When my wife started at NWR Middle three years ago, her classroom computer was a 2003 Gateway. It basically served to take up space. They issued all the teachers new Mac Book Pros that work seamlessly with the Smart Boards, grade book, lesson plans, and other programs they use. The benefit the teachers and kids get from those Mac Books is so well worth the investment it's ridiculous.
Education has moved past pencil and chalk. The sooner we realize that just because that's how we did it doesn't mean that's how it should be done now, the sooner we can actually start making valuable investments in education in a state that fails miserably. We'd have used those things if they were available and would have wanted and needed them, too.
When my wife started at NWR Middle three years ago, her classroom computer was a 2003 Gateway. It basically served to take up space. They issued all the teachers new Mac Book Pros that work seamlessly with the Smart Boards, grade book, lesson plans, and other programs they use. The benefit the teachers and kids get from those Mac Books is so well worth the investment it's ridiculous.
Education has moved past pencil and chalk. The sooner we realize that just because that's how we did it doesn't mean that's how it should be done now, the sooner we can actually start making valuable investments in education in a state that fails miserably. We'd have used those things if they were available and would have wanted and needed them, too.
Was the bond just going to build a new NWR high or was it intended to split up NWR?
I have kids set to go to Northshore in a few years and I'm surprised a completely new school has been born yet, like how MC split and formed Ridgeland High....then Germantown was born.
I remember after the bond failed that NWR talked about breaking away from the RCSD. That must have just been a rumor.
I think we're nearing the day where we see Flowood Highschool and NWR Highschool.
I have kids set to go to Northshore in a few years and I'm surprised a completely new school has been born yet, like how MC split and formed Ridgeland High....then Germantown was born.
I remember after the bond failed that NWR talked about breaking away from the RCSD. That must have just been a rumor.
I think we're nearing the day where we see Flowood Highschool and NWR Highschool.
you only have yourself to be pissed at
Brandon has historically had more organization and elected Weathersby. The City of Flowood started between Jackson and Pearl and expanded all the way to 471 to take in the growth. Elections count, especially as population changes. Weathersby wasn't initially elected by Flowood/Reservoir and ran UNOPPOSED last time. I agree NWR has gotten the short end of the stick, but until elected representatives change, nothing changes. NWRHS was opened in '82 and housed K-12. ALL the extra schools, lower, upper elementary and middle have come along since. I hate that your 5th grader doesn't get to go to the middle school next year but trust me, he ain't missing much.
Elections count, change it yourself and being a message board genius doesn't count.
Brandon has historically had more organization and elected Weathersby. The City of Flowood started between Jackson and Pearl and expanded all the way to 471 to take in the growth. Elections count, especially as population changes. Weathersby wasn't initially elected by Flowood/Reservoir and ran UNOPPOSED last time. I agree NWR has gotten the short end of the stick, but until elected representatives change, nothing changes. NWRHS was opened in '82 and housed K-12. ALL the extra schools, lower, upper elementary and middle have come along since. I hate that your 5th grader doesn't get to go to the middle school next year but trust me, he ain't missing much.
Elections count, change it yourself and being a message board genius doesn't count.
I think some teachers have iPads also. Speaking as the parent of a 6 year old, an iPad is an effective learning tool, at least for younger children.
Here is the list...
Link: http://www.rcsd.ms/Project Costs Estimates.pdf
The new school would have been for 10-12. 8-9 would be in the current high school with renovations. 6 and 7 would stay in the middle school.
There isn't anything in there that wasn't needed. The last bond issue was in 2001. After twelve years of Rankin County growth, it's time to step up and keep a good thing going.
Link: http://www.rcsd.ms/Project Costs Estimates.pdf
The new school would have been for 10-12. 8-9 would be in the current high school with renovations. 6 and 7 would stay in the middle school.
There isn't anything in there that wasn't needed. The last bond issue was in 2001. After twelve years of Rankin County growth, it's time to step up and keep a good thing going.
That Ipad for administrators issue...
entirely separate from the teacher Ipad issue which people still complained about, used some sort of discount program that the Department of Education told them to get. They used Rankin County as one of the test districts to see if it would get administrators out of offices and into the halls. It's been pretty damn successful. It's also been a huge asset with the new classroom evaluation methods.
entirely separate from the teacher Ipad issue which people still complained about, used some sort of discount program that the Department of Education told them to get. They used Rankin County as one of the test districts to see if it would get administrators out of offices and into the halls. It's been pretty damn successful. It's also been a huge asset with the new classroom evaluation methods.
I've been in there a few times... It's just a fairly nice office building.
Really no different than some of the new schools that get built. Of course I've never been to Weathersby's office with the rumored bowling alley, marbled floors, Picassos, gold toilet, and fireplace that burns sacks of money.
Really no different than some of the new schools that get built. Of course I've never been to Weathersby's office with the rumored bowling alley, marbled floors, Picassos, gold toilet, and fireplace that burns sacks of money.