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Editor's Notes
The better the educational opportunities, the better our area will thrive. Top notch schools lead to top notch citizens and employees. That's the bottom line. I recently had the pleasure of talking with local educator Alfred Donald, who heads the Continuing School Improvement (CSI) program for the public schools in Jackson. Since I have known him, I have been truly impressed with his dedication to excellence in education. Donald recently received orders from the U.S. Army (he is a reservist) to report to duty March 2. I wish him well and, as I am sure many here in Jackson do, hope he will return safely home after serving his country. During his visit, Donald gave me a copy of a commentary he recently wrote about the great improvements shown in the grades of the students taking part in the CSI program. I would like to share that with you. I believe it shows his dedication to the program and his belief in what he is doing. Another CSI is making headlines By Alfred Donald CSI Director CSI Jackson (Continuous School Improvement) is an after school program targeting students who need extra help in reading and math. The program consists of homework help, SAT, ARMY and behavior intervention. It is conducted at Jackson Intermediate School and approximately 90 students from grades 1-8 are currently enrolled. The classes are limited to 15 students with a certified teacher and an aide. CSI began last year and helped get Gillmore Elementary School, Jackson Intermediate School and Jackson Middle School off School Improvement status for reading and math. There is still a lot of work to be done to bring the students up to an even higher level. The program is conducted Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m., which is a challenge in itself because the students have already had a long day at school. This gives the teachers and director the task of financing ways to get the students motivated to want to continue the learning process. We also have our share of discipline problems. We show the students we care and are committed to helping them no matter where they come from, who their parents are, their socioeconomic background or their behavior problems. The program offers activities and snacks and there are also five computers in each classroom, one for the teacher and four for the students. CSI Jackson does not investigate crime, we put knowledge in children's minds. I would like to commend the staff for working so hard to make this program a success. They are Johnnie Bernard and Annette Robinson, first grade; Merline Rocker and Taraethia Rocker, second grade; Kristie Taylor and Kendra Ezell, third grade; Emily McDonald and Shameca Bryant, fourth grade; Terri Harvey and Linda Pernell, fifth grade; Teressa Rocker and Anderia Morris, grades 6-8. A special thanks goes to Clarke County Superintendent of Schools Gerald Stephens, Michael Bedsole, Jackson Mayor Richard Long and councilmen Eddie Huggins, Eldridge Jackson Jr., Anthony Jackson, Robert Marks, Paul South and Daron Bolen.
We should all be thankful that we have quality people like Alfred Donald working with our children and serving our country.
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