Witherspoon receives grant from state

By By Georgia E. Frye / staff writer
Dec. 11, 2003
Witherspoon Elementary School is beginning to see the results of raising its performance level this year. In addition to bragging rights, the school recently received a $5,000 reward from the state Department of Education.
Edwards said the money would be used for, among other things, additional library books, practice Mississippi Curriculum Test books, student incentives for regular attendance and good behavior and teacher recognition.
Last year, Witherspoon was rated a Level 1, or "under- performing" school, by the state Department of Education. But this year the school is rated a Level 3, or "successful" school. Edwards said the level increased because of the hard work of teachers and students.
The award was presented at the first "Closing the Achievement Gap" conference held in Jackson. Only 12 schools in the state were rewarded during the conference, and Witherspoon was the only school in Meridian to receive the "Gap Award."
State Superintendent of Education Henry Johnson came up with the idea for the reward and pledged part of his annual salary toward the $60,000 fund.
Edwards said, however, she is not satisfied with the school's Level 3 rating. She said she would like to see all of Meridian's schools become a Level 5 school the best possible accreditation level.
The school also hopes to encourage parent involvement. Edwards said she and her staff serve parents coffee twice during a nine-week period when they drop their children off for school and it has had a good turnout.