Middle School Leaders Address Kiwanis
Dr. Charles Frazier and Mrs. Angie Lee Willis were the guest speakers at the Monticello Kiwanis Club meeting Monday.
Dr. Frazier is principal at Jasper County Middle School where Mrs. Willis teaches math and is the parent involvement coordinator.
Dr. Frazier talked of the many good things going on at the school, and said they have hit the ground running towards becoming part of a Charter School System. He said at the middle school the students are encouraged by the motto preparing for a better tomorrow by being better today.
He said the middle school this year has agreed to offer a scholarship, and the amount is not yet set. The student must have attended the middle school at least one year, and the high school all four years. He said that a long with the many good things happening, there are challenges. But, he said he ends the announcement every day telling the students to remember, “we believe in you, we care for you and we love you.”
Mrs. Willis said she had just returned from a parent engagement conference, and when she walked in rather than the banner welcoming them saying parent engagement it said family engagement. She said the idea of family is so different now. Many students idea of family is a grandparent, aunt, friend, or some other individual or group that is responsible for nurturing them.
She talked about the community family forums that they are hosting, and said the one in Shady Dale, targeting the Hispanic population there, was quite a success. The next one will be in March at the Get Ahead House.
She talked about how they want families to really be a part of the school, and to do that they are trying to meet the parents where they are. In addition, the school wants to draw the community in. She talked about the good influence many individuals have on the students when they see people from Monticello can grow up to be successful, to travel, to reach their dreams. She closed by quoting I Corinthians 13 from the New Testament of the Bible.
Kiwanis President Morad El-Jourbagy thanked the guests for coming, and also complemented Mrs. Willis on being Teacher of the Year for the system.
The Kiwanis Club meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month in the fellowship hall of Monticello First United Methodist Church. All interested persons are welcome.
For more information, contact any Kiwanian, or Mr. El-Jourbagy at 706-318-4616.or moradeljourbagy@gmail.com.