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| Leadership Greater Jackson member Jud Watkins of Trustmark National Bank enjoys lunch with a Blackburn student during LGJ's visit February 8. |
Members of the 2011-2012 class of Leadership Jackson visited the new Blackburn Middle School February 8, 2012, to kick off a day of learning about the education institutions in the metro Jackson area. The visit included breakfast and dialogue with student council members, a tour of the school, and updates about Blackburn and Jackson Public Schools. Several Leadership Jackson classes in recent years have made Blackburn the beneficiary of their community service projects.
Participants were welcomed by Principal Marietta Carter and given an overview of the new school as well as information about two of the school’s special partners and programs:
- Professional development provided by the Mississippi Writing/Thinking Institute at Mississippi State University to improve students’ writing
- Talk About the Problems (TAP) peer mediation program provided by the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life
Dr. Jayne B. Sargent, interim superintendent, provided participants with a district update. Timothy D. Collins, a member of the JPS Board of Trustees, shared information regarding the district’s search for a new superintendent. Other presenters included:
- Fred Davis, executive director of plants and operations – an update on the capital improvement projects funded by the 2006 bond
- Rebecca Starling, director of Partners in Education – an overview of community partnerships in Jackson Public Schools