March 29, 2019
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| Frank Lenoir, Allstate Outstanding Partnership Award recognizing his support to Hardy Middle School |
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| Rev. Marshall Wade (center, holding award), Allstate Outstanding Partnership Award recognizing Meadowbrook Church of Christ and Bailey APAC Middle School |
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| Center for Social Entrepreneurship, Outstanding Elementary School Partnership Award for support of Barr Elementary |
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| Juanita Sims Doty Foundation and the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute, Outstanding Middle School Partnership Award for support of Blackburn, Hardy, and Powell Middle Schools |
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| Lanier High School National Alumni Association, Outstanding High School Partnership Award and 20-Year Anniversary with Lanier High School |
The Jackson Public Schools Office of Partners in Education held its annual Highlight Awards Celebration on March 4 at Northwest Jackson Middle School. The theme of the 2019 program was "Working Together." Each year, the District hosts this program in honor of the businesses, organizations, faith-based groups, and individuals who have partnered with Jackson Public Schools. This year, there are 111 Specialty Partners, 121 School Adopters, and 55 District-level partners that have committed resources toward enhancing educational experiences for JPS scholars. Awards were presented for Outstanding Partnerships at the elementary, middle, and high school levels and Anniversary milestones. Two individuals were surprised with the Allstate Award for their substantial contributions to a school.
"I want to thank you for your ongoing commitment to supporting our teachers and scholars," said JPS Superintendent Dr. Errick Greene. "We sincerely appreciate your investment of time and resources to enhance the educational experiences for our children, and we celebrate the collaborative spirit that you've demonstrated over the years."
"We're here to say thank you to our community partners," said Thea Faulkner, Director of Partners in Education in JPS. "Our children are learning that it's important to invest in the lives of others because you, our community partners, have communicated this."
Allstate Award
Allstate was the District's first school adopter. Each year, the organization honors a fellow JPS partner or adopter with the Allstate Award. This year, two awards were presented. Frank Lenoir received an Allstate award in recognition of his significant financial contributions used to establish a uniform and supply closet at Hardy Middle School. Rev. Marshall Wade of Meadowbrook Church of Christ received the award for book donations to the Bailey Middle School library valued at $7,500 as part of Partners in Education's Time, Talent, and Treasure initiative.
Outstanding School Partnerships
- Elmentary – iVillage Afterschool Program at Barr Elementary
- Middle School – Juanita Sims Doty Foundation and the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Institute at Blackburn, Hardy and Powell Middle Schools
- High School – Lanier High School National Alumni Association at Lanier High School
Anniversary Awards
35 Years
- Irby Electrical – Pecan Park Elementary
30 Years
- Wells United Methodist Church – Galloway Elementary
- Bancorp South – Oak Forest Elementary
25 Years
- Jackson State University – Blackburn Middle
20 Years
- Lanier High School National Alumni Association – Lanier High
15 Years
- Morning Star Baptist Church – Brinkley Middle
- EP Engineered Clays Corporation – Key Elementary
10 Years
- Greater Jackson Chamber of Commerce – Lake Elementary and Murrah High
- Beth Israel Congregation – McLeod Elementary
- Junior League of Jackson – Oak Forest Elementary
5 Years
- Hinds Community College Nursing Program – Bates Elementary
- Springboard to Opportunities – Dawson Elementary
- TCL Financial and Tax Services – Dawson Elementary
- Ascensions Lutheran Church – McLeod Elementary
The goal of Partners in Education is to connect schools with community supporters through programs that enhance educational experiences for students. The Adopt-a-School program offers opportunities for businesses and organizations to support and encourage a specific school. All activities in a partnership are based on mutual needs and the resources of the school and adopters. Among the many programs Partners in Education executes annually are the PIE Store for the exclusive use of the District's classroom teachers, a uniform closet for families in need, and the ARISE2Read literacy program.
Prospective partners and volunteers may get information to get started by calling JPS Partners in Education at (601) 960-8905.
More Coverage:
- 2019 PIE Highlight Awards, JPS ITV, March 4, 2019
