First in a series
Students in the Greenwood Leflore Consolidated School District will head for their campuses Thursday, the first day of classes for this school year.
Administrators say it’s a relief that these will be completely in-person. Because of the pandemic, the district resorted to virtual learning in 2020. The campuses reopened in 2021, but parents could opt for their children to continue with virtual learning.
Masks are still required in the district, but Aiyetoro Roy, principal of Amanda Elzy High School, said her administration is anticipating a good year.
“With all of our students back in the building, we are looking forward to growth, hands-on activities, student growth and just overall student learning,” she said.
Julius Lucas III, principal of East Elementary School, said filling classrooms with students is exciting.
“I am most anticipating the return of our students. They are the most prized stakeholders in a school because we are here to mold them to be productive citizens,” he said.
Schools are also stressing the importance of parental engagement as school begins this week.
“We are here to serve the parents and students as needed. We would like to solicit the support of the parents and community as a whole,” said Valerie Williams, principal at Threadgill Elementary.
“We want the parents to know that our mission is to unify, educate and prepare all students for college and careers by providing a high-quality learning experience,” Roy said.
The Delta Health Alliance has partnered with the district to help facilitate this engagement.
The alliance has instituted programs such as WATCH DOGS (Dads of Great Students) and a financial literacy program for parents. “This class will discuss topics such as budgeting, banking and overall financial responsibility,” Roy said.
At East Elementary, the school will hold monthly meetings with parents to provide information and updates regarding student success, according to Lucas.
“I would love for more parents to attend these meetings, so that we can work together to move our school in a positive direction,” he said.
Administrators throughout the district stressed the significance of parents knowing about schools’ open door policies. “We plan to communicate with parents more and ask that they let us know when they need any assistance,” Roy said.
“East’s staff is here to serve our community in any way that we can. We are always available when they need us,” Lucas added.
Williams said she “would like for parents and students to know that we have an open-door policy” at Threadgill Elementary.
Schools are also receiving some practical upgrades.
Teachers at East Elementary will have new white boards for interactive learning and will also implement Google classrooms this year, according to the principal.
Students, faculty and staff at Threadgill Elementary will be greeted with a freshly painted parking lot.
At Amanda Elzy High — home of the Panthers — campus beautification projects for this year include “adding greenery and repainting the ‘paws’ along the breezeways,” Roy said.
- Contact Katherine Parker at 662-581-7239 or kparker@gwcommonwealth.com.
The original version of this article reported an incorrect year in which virtual learning started as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
