NOTE: The story contains a correction in the starting date from the print edition of The Commerce News, which erroneously listed the starting date as Monday.
When East Jackson Comprehensive High School starts its third year Thursday, an estimated 1,000 students are expected. That’s about 10 more than were enrolled on the first day of school last year and 75 more than were at EJCHS when the school year ended.
Like last year, the focus will be on keeping kids in school and on track toward graduation, says principal Pat Stueck.
The school will start two new programs.
The Eagle Academy targets upcoming ninth graders deemed at risk.
“We have a group of teachers that is going to track students weekly, monitor the students, provide turoring and help create relationships,” Stueck explained. “We want to maximize their chances to graduate in four years.
The Eagle Express is an afternoon version of the Regional Evening School, which closed last year for financial reasons.
“We’ve taken kids not able to finish at the RES who are in our district,” Stueck said. “We will also serve students currently enrolled who are off track and not doing well in day school.”
Those students will be able to attend from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. daily, which is expected to allow some to work and give others a better chance of finding childcare.
“Day school doesn’t work for some kids,” said Stueck. “This will give us another way to reach them.”
The school is full at 25. It is funded by federal stimulus funds.
“We’re excited. We hope it helps us to get more kids through high school,” Stueck commented.
That will dovetail with EJCHS’ teachers-as-advisors program in which every teacher is assigned 12 students and follows them through their entire school careers.
“Basically, every child has an adult monitoring them, working with them, trying very hard to get them through school in four years,” said Stueck. The program is in its second year.
Systemwide, the Jackson County School System expects from 7,000 to 7,100 students Monday.
•Benton Elementary School anticipates about 350 students, which is about the same as last year. Additions to the staff include Shirley White, assistant principal; Taryne Mingo, counselor; Cristina De Urioste, fifth grade teacher; Melissa Kirk and Jennifer Madlem, special education staff; and Michael Brodowski, part-time music instructor. Pamela S. Shields is the principal.
•East Jackson Elementary School expects around 500 students, according to principal Jennifer L. Halley. The school has added a second grade teacher and a full-time counselor. New hires are Emma Humphries, teacher; Michael Brodowski, part-time music teacher; and Elaine Roller, counselor.
•At East Jackson Middle School, 410 students are expected, about the same as last year. “We will have a teacher assigned as an instructional coach for part of the day,” said principal Heidi Hill. “This program is designed to help support lessons plan design and student achievement. We will be evaluating progress for each student on a weekly basis by tracking interventions used to both enrich and support students at EJMS.” EJMS is also implementing a new program for struggling readers. Special sessions for Science and Social Studies will be offered before school. During Extended Learning Time, the concentration will be on math and language arts enrichment and support, Hill stated. Lauren Cooke has been hired as a special education teacher.
•At Kings Bridge Middle School, approximately 400 students are expected - about the same number as last year. Linda Archer is the new school counselor. Debra Morris is principal.
