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The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) passed two policies that call for all school districts to resume in-person instruction as the primary mode of teaching starting in the 2021-22 school year. The policies set requirements for districts that choose to offer a virtual learning option to individual students and establish standards for virtual learning days. The SBE’s action aligns with the requirements of the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARP), which provides money to schools to help safely reopen and maintain safe operations. As a requirement of ARP, school districts receiving funds must develop a plan for the safe return to in-person instruction and continuity of services. School districts must update their plans at least every six months through September 30, 2023. Districts must seek public input on their plans take such input into account when revising their plans. The Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) is in charge of providing COVID-19 public health guidance to K-12 schools. Under the SBE policies, districts that offer a virtual option for individual students must adopt local board-approved policies that include the criteria for students to participate in virtual learning, requirements for equipment, connectivity, attendance and student conduct, and assurances of equal access and non-discrimination and the delivery of Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) for students with disabilities. All students who take part in virtual learning will be required to take statewide assessments on campus. The SBE’s proposed policies will allow districts to provide schoolwide or districtwide virtual learning days in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as weather emergencies or an epidemic prevailing in the district. However, districts must ensure any virtual learning days include actual teaching for a minimum of 330 minutes, as state law requires. Districts are required to provide a minimum of 180 days of instruction. The SBE provided districts with broad flexibility in the 2020-21 school year to help manage the COVID-19 outbreak. Districts were allowed to meet the 180-day teaching requirement through traditional, virtual or a hybrid of in-person and distance learning. The SBE voted in April to end the pandemic-related flexibilities. To assist with virtual learning, the Legislature provided $200 million in 2020 through the Mississippi Connects program, which provided every public-school student with a computer device to learn. The next phase of the Mississippi Connects program includes professional development and support from digital learning instructional coaches, who will help teachers, schools and districts effectively use educational technology and improve student outcomes statewide. Virtual learning policies to start in 2021-22: · School-Wide and District-Wide Virtual Learning Days · Virtual Students

Co-Lin's Board of Trustees has elected a new slate of officers. Melton King of Adams County is the new board chairman, Dr. Troy Stewart Sr. of Copiah County, new vice chairman and Barry Tyson of Franklin County, secretary. The Board also transferred Dr. Dewayne Middleton from Vice President of the Simpson County Center to Executive Vice President of the college. He will oversee college operations on all three Co-Lin campuses, as well as institutional effectiveness and college accreditation. The Vice President of the Simpson County Center position will be frozen at this time. Jackie Martin has transferred from Associate Vice President of Instructional Services to Vice President of the Wesson Campus. She will oversee the instructional programs including academic, career-technical, and workforce education; and student services, including enrollment services, housing, financial aid, and athletics. Samantha Speeg will become the College Registrar and continue to serve as Director of Enrollment Services for the Wesson Campus. All changes went into effect on July 1.

In order to accommodate busy parents gearing up for the new school year, the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) will host a one-stop shop for required school entry/registration forms. This special two-week event will allow parents to get a copy of their child’s Form 121 (shot record) if the child is up-to-date on immunization requirements, as well as their birth certificate, at the same time and same place. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, July 19 - Monday, August 2 MSDH Office of Vital Records 222 Marketridge Drive, Ridgeland (Off Highland Colony Parkway) During this event, the child's Form 121 will be available for free if the child is up-to-date on immunization requirements. Birth certificates will be available the same day for $17; each additional certified copy is $6. Mississippi state law requires children to be immunized against childhood diseases to enter public or private school, Head Start or daycare. There are also required immunizations for first-time school entry in Mississippi as well as a requirement for 7th grade entry. Parents must provide the school with a Certificate of Immunization Compliance (Form 121) from their immunization provider prior to school entry. The child’s birth certificate is also required for school registration. Immunizations are available at county health departments by appointment. Follow MSDH by e-mail and social media at HealthyMS.com/connect.

After 34years, Joe Glasper is officially retiring as a Town of Wesson maintenance worker, but don't be surprised if you continue to see him on the job. A special come-and-go reception on Friday. July 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at City Hall will honor Glasper's long-time service and wish him well in retirement. But you aren't going to get rid of him that easily. After a mandatory 90-day leave required when an employee retires from a municipal job, Glasper plans to return part time to read meters for the water department and help as needed when water and sewer lines need repaired, roads need to be cleared after storms and other incidents that bring down trees and limbs and cause other debris-disruptions. Glasper started working for the town on shovels and loaders, and is retiring as a supervisor. A life-long Wesson resident, he graduated from Wesson High School (WHS) in 1974, where he played football and basketball and led the Cobras to winning seasons on the gridiron and court. Glasper stayed on at Wesson Attendance Center as janitor for the elementary school, leaving after three years for his first stint in maintenance services for the Town of Wesson. In 1982, he joined Co-Lin's maintenance staff, and then came back to the Town of Wesson after five years in 1987. Glasper grew up in the St. Peter Rock Baptist Church at Beauregard and now is a member of Faith Baptist Church at Bogue Chitto. He and his wife Rhonda have two grown sons -- Joe Ellis, Jr., 40, a maintenance supervisor for Greenbriar, Mississippi, and Terrance, 34, who is a supervisor at a Laurel, Mississippi, lumber yard. They have nine grandchildren and are regular foster parents for kids 12-13 years old.

Town officials feted Robert Lawrence, who retired following 16 years to Wesson as a municipal judge and as municipal prosecutor in recent years. Left to right are Municipal Judge Jeff Varas, Municipal Clerk Angela Hester, Lawrence and Public Defender M.A. Bass.

For drivers bringing students to Wesson Attendance Center in private vehicles: Drop off students before 7:40 a.m. for classes, which start at 7:45 a.m. Drop-off points are in front of the old gym and high school area for grades seven to twelve and the elementary school parking lot (where two attendants are on duty) for kindergarten through sixth grades. Pick up students in kindergarten through sixth grade in the elementary school parking lot. Line up on the north side of the road east of the building, enter the parking lot on the east, load students from the inside lane, and exit parking lot on the west. Use the outside lane when leaving the pickup line. Children should not walk to vehicles parked along the side of the road. Pick up students in grades seven through twelve and their younger siblings in the parking lot by the old gym and high school area. Enter on the east, park in the inside (north) lane while waiting for students to pick up, and exit on the west via the outside (south) lane. Older and younger siblings will meet in the old gym and walk together to their pickup vehicle in the high school parking lot. Children who walk or bike to school will wait in the old gym until 3:15 p.m. when buses and most cars have left the campus. Do not pick up students at the rear of school where buses load.

All students enrolling for the first time at WAC must comply with Mississippi immunization requirements against communicable diseases and entering seventh graders must show proof of an adolescent whooping cough (pertussis) booster vaccination. Current state entry immunization requirements encompass vaccinations that provide protection against: · Diptheria, Tetanus, and Pertussis (DTaP) · Polio (IPV) · Hepatitis B · Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) · Varicella (chickenpox) Mississippi instituted the whooping cough booster (Tdap) vaccination requirement in 2012-13 due to increasing concern about pertussis -- a highly contagious and life-threatening disease that adolescents can contract and easily transmit to younger children. Immunity to pertussis from early childhood vaccinations weakens over time. The Mississippi State Department of Health also suggests consideration of vaccinations against meningococcal disease and human papillomavirus (HPV), and a varicella (chickenpox) booster as well for teenagers. Doctors, other health care providers, and county health departments provide vaccinations and complete the Form #121 Certificate of Immunization Compliance to present to schools.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) continues its support for a statewide initiative that assists local residents schedule free rides to local COVID-19 vaccination sites. While not limited to a particular group, the emphasis is placed on linking persons facing transportation challenges, such as disabled or low-income individuals, veterans, and the elderly, with available transportation providers. MDOT’s toll-free line, 1-866-813-3616, offers information and referrals for transportation to vaccination sites by connecting callers to a designated regional call center. This initiative is being coordinated through six networks of regional community transportation providers across the state. “My wife and I have taken both of our vaccine shots without any complications. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as they are able,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District. “While the vaccine is not 100 percent full proof against the virus, it will likely keep those that get it from having to go to the hospital, or funeral home.” When contacting the toll-free number, the caller will be able to select their scheduled vaccination site from a menu of six options; Delta Area, Golden Triangle Area, Northeast Area, Central Area, Southern Area and Southwest Area. Once the region is selected, the caller will be connected to the designated call center for the ride to be scheduled within 24-48 hours. For evening and weekend calls, every effort will be made to confirm scheduled trips by the next business day. “If not having transportation is stopping you from being vaccinated, the solution is at your fingertips,” said Simmons. “Please utilize these resources that will help keep you, your family and fellow Mississippians safe.” The menu will also include an information option for questions and referrals through MDOT’s Public Transit Division. To reach the Public Transit Division contact them directly at (601) 359-7800.

Summertime can be a fun time for children and families. Between vacations, cooling down at the pool, and hanging out with friends, the good times seem like they’ll never come to an end. Even with all that fun and relaxation, responsibilities still find a way to creep in. What happens when summer vacation is still going strong, but mom and dad have to return to work? What happens when you want your child to still have a good balance of education and fun over the break? How can a common ground be found when it comes expectations on a summer schedule? We spoke with a child expert from Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy) to get a few tips on how to help us navigate through the summer time limbo. First thing first, no parent wants all that learning and growth from the previous school year to go to waste, but it can be a challenge to get children motivated to spend time doing educational activities while on break. “One thing parents can do is have a contest to see who can read more books throughout the summer, while providing incentives for desired goals which increase as they reach the end of the summer,” said Therapist Caleb Cauthen, LPC. “Implementing strategies like this is a fun way to keep children’s minds sharp and encourage a little healthy competition. The key is to make learning fun, especially during the summer.” Having a fun and productive summer is important when trying to find a balance. Parents can help achieve this by creating a weekly summer schedule. The schedule can include things like educational activities, fun days or activities, chores, and more. Being productive during the summer and teaching responsibility to children, even during break can have a significant impact. “I provide a summer schedule for my client’s parents. I encourage them to alter this schedule to best fit them and their child,” Cauthen said. “Chores could be assigned throughout the day or chosen with priority and importance. Parents do need to hold their kids accountable if an expectation or rule is not met, or is broken. Discuss behaviors and consequences with them in a nonjudgmental tone when they have not met their goals daily or weekly.” This can help teach children responsibility, while staying active throughout the summer. Having a set weekly schedule can also help parents manage the household while they return to work and the children are left home. This would give parents the opportunity to discuss expectations and rules to the children for when they will be home alone. “Parents could utilize the schedule to include emergency contact information and instructions, check in times, and could even go as far as adding a nutritious snack or meal plan. Parents should go over the schedule with their children and leave it in an accessible place,” Cauthen suggested. All in all, everyone enjoys summer breaks and having fun. Going to the beach, reading a good book, or even playing video games. Adding a little structure for children can help parents and children benefit from the well-deserved break. The goal is to have fun, learn, and grow. Happy Summer!

Free breakfasts and lunches continue to be available at Wesson Assistance Center (WAC) under a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) grant. WAC starts serving the breakfasts at 7:30 a.m. and lunches at 10:30 a.m. They feature nutritious and balanced meals that follow USDA Healthy Choices guidelines, WAC principal Tommy Clopton reports. CEP grants are awarded to schools in districts in which a large proportion of the population is considered to be living in poverty. WAC's grant provides funds for the free meals. The USDA Healthy Choices guidelines emphasize fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and reduced sugar, salt, and fat. "Today’s students need wholesome food more than ever," USDA says. "More than 17 million American children live in food-insecure households and one in three children is considered overweight or obese. USDA’s efforts help create the healthy school environment needed to ensure our children are engaged and productive learners."

A user friendly website that is updated weekly throughout the school year tracks events, schedules, and topics of interest for Wesson Attendance Center (WAC) teachers, students and parents and facilitates communication among WAC stakeholders. Online visitors can access the website through the Copiah County School District website at www.copiah.ms. On the School District website, which provides information about the Copiah County School District board and its policies, visitors can select "Wesson Attendance Center" from a dropdown menu to go to the component of the site dedicated to WAC. The WAC homepage includes photos and stories, notices of upcoming events with access to the full WAC calendar, links to student handbooks and click-on menu items that link to detailed information about WAC in general, specifics about its elementary and secondary schools, special interest topics geared to teachers, students and parents and news about athletic events. WAC staff and teachers are listed on the site with email addresses through which they can be reached. Cobra Chatters -- a weekly newsletter that covers what is happening at WAC and spotlights dates -- is also accessible on the homepage. Through the WAC website, parents can download an Active Parent application form to access information related to their students -- attendance, schedules and grades -- and school news. WAC verifies completed forms and assigns a login name and password to use the Active Parent website. The WAC website is maintained and updated from the start of the school year in August through May, when it ends.