Dana Road Elementary
• The Dana Road Book Fair will be held in the school library Dec 8-12.
• Dana Road collected 154 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.  Mr. Chris Williams will now run 15 laps around the school while dressed in a Santa suit!
• The students also collected over 1500 can goods to benefit those in need.
The school Harvest of Pennies to benefit the Warren County Children’s Shelter is ongoing through this month.
• Eleana Davis’ 2nd and 3rd grade music classes presented a program.
• All science projects are due Dec 8.
• A special thanks to Mr. Tony Baker for building the Dana Road Christmas float and a big thanks to all those who helped with the float and the parade.

Jacob’s Ladder
• The students at Jacob’s Ladder enjoyed a wonderful Christmas concert by the ladies of Dante’s Dulcimers on Wednesday.
• Friday we went to the Christmas program put on by the children at First Presbyterian Kindergarten and Preschool. Thank you to Jennifer Coulter for extending the invitation to us.
• Richard McComas came and played Christmas music on his guitar and we had a wonderful sing along.
• We were excited to go to the Elf Shop to shop for our family members. Thank you to Angela for inviting us to shop with them again this year.

Porters Chapel Academy
• Eager Eagle of the week in the first grade class of Rebecca Pace was Austin Cook.
• The students performed Christmas songs at the school Christmas program.
• Parents sending snacks and volunteering at the class Christmas party were Robin Cook, Brittany Gerard, Jaime Machen, and Kendra Mauldin.
• The students shared a completed pizza box portfolio of art projects for the first semester with their parents.

Redwood Elementary School
• Morning announcement leaders for the week were Pernell DeFrance, Ethan Puckett, Jaylen Williams, Makenna Boswell, and Dylan O’Brien.
• Second Grade leaders chosen by their teachers to decorate for the faculty luncheon with gingerbread houses created by second graders were:  Jaycob Leach, Ava Ray Dale, Marneisha Williams, Abbygail Chester, Courtney Blackwell, Romello Montgomery, Shenicia Gross, Maggie Beal, and Kaswayea Craft.
• Winners of the Redwood Spelling Bee on Friday, Dec 12th were:  1st place – Joey Greer, 2nd place – Avery Mabe, and 3rd place – Seth Watts.  Joey will advance to the District Spelling Bee.  Volunteers Judy Williams, Jill Oldenburg, and Wyn Pratt served as judges.
• Mrs. Hughey’s, Mrs. Morson’s, and Mrs. Pickering’s 1st graders read How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss and completed many thematic projects to accompany the book.  They had Grinch math word problems, made “Who” pudding, and completed a writing activity on what makes them feel “grinchy” and “ungrinchy”.  The unit completion was celebrated with a “Grinch” party with special guest – the Grinch himself!!
• Redwood warmly welcomes new fifth grade teacher, Mr. Shane Silpe.  We also congratulate Ms. Becky Trawick, former 5th grade teacher, who has stepped into the Lead Teacher position!
• Mrs. Week’s sixth graders were currently in the lead in total money collected as of Wednesday, for the Children’s Shelter Harvest of Pennies.
• Friday, parents and grandparents were invited to a Leader In Me Extravaganza!  Student leaders were chosen from each grade to inform guests on each of the 7 habits.   They were:  Whitley White, Wyatt Arnold, Pernell Defrance, Niyoki Strong, Victor Baker, Avery Mabe, DeMarcus Bell, Graham Tidmore, Donald Bailey, Luke Worthy, Kaden Taylor, Haley Shipley, Kimberly Burton, Matthew Wilkerson, Jack Wright, Trina Ponder, Hayes Loper, Casey Ferguson, Will Thigpen, Kody White, Aiden Winningham, Ta’Mya Sims, and Emma Redditt.  Guests went to each of the 7 Habit Stations, were given a brochure explaining the program, and were treated to hot chocolate and cookies before our annual Holiday Sing- Along.  Our Leader in Me Kick-Off is Jan. 7, 2015!!!
• Redwood celebrated the upcoming holidays with a school Sing – Along.  Teachers and students performed skits, students sang carols, and money was donated to the Warren County Children’s Shelter.  Third graders presented the shelter with gifts as well.

South Park Elementary
• Third grade students have completed a unit on volcanoes.  They read both fiction and non-fiction books, watched a video of an eruption, learned about the layers of the Earth, and practiced reading a diagram of a volcano.  Students also learned how vinegar and baking soda react when mixed.
• 1st grade students wrote letters to Santa telling him what they want for Christmas.  Parent Volunteer came and made Christmas Ornaments with 1st graders.  The Vicksburg High School Key Club came and read Christmas stories to our students.

Vicksburg High School
• The following VHS students participated in the “Learn Program” at South Park Elementary:  Briana Knox, Kori Screws, Grace Bufkin, Torey Daniels, Kalea Abney, Jayla Atlas, Zack Coomes, Erica Darden, Parker Demeranville, Sean East, Madeline Gual, Jazmine Green, Taylor Hollowell, Tyler Kimble, Katlin Leverette, Charity Lockridge, Raven London, Beth Martin, Will Martin, Tyler McDowell, Shelby Murihead, Tae’lor Nelson, Mack Rather, Jada Sims, Jay Sturgis, Jadyn Stone, Bobbi Taylor, Austin Warren, Analiese Wasson, Darius Williams, and Deshun Younger.  This event was sponsored by the VHS Key Club.
• The members of the National Honor Society served as bell ringers for the Salvation Army at various locations throughout the community.  Members who volunteered were Elisha Howard, Karry Callahan, Miesha Bure, Jessica Parson, Mack Rather, Brittney Jenkins, Ishmael Pendleton, Monique Jones, Jamison Watson, De’Andre Davis, and Deshun Younger
• Parents and students are urged to check the updated school website.  Information about scholarships, SATP, and other items of interest are posted on the website.
• VHS has an official twitter account to be used a forum to educate, inform, and announce school news.  Follow us @VHSGators1.
• Students will return to school from the Christmas break on Jan. 5.
• The VHS Student Council adopted 4 children from the Good Shepherd Angel Tree. The members raised money to purchase gifts for the children then divided into teams and shopped for the children on a budget.  The students learned the value of community service while practicing money management.

Vicksburg Intermediate School
• Pledge leaders were Michaela Franklin, Jalen Brasfield, Sam Nwaneri, Ariana Woodson, and Gabrielle Oliver.
• Teachers received Math common core training provided by Dr. Robert Mack of The Kirkland Group.
Students with outstanding behavior participated in the PBIS Winter Olympics under the leadership of Coach Haley Everett, Coach Terry Council, Christopher Bobo, Malinda Aaron, and Melinda Calvert.  Girl soccer players from Vicksburg High School assisted:
• Winter Reading books purchased with Federal Program’s Title I Parental Involvement money were sent home with each student.  Each student will read their book and be prepared to take an assessment on the book on Jan. 6, 2015.  Books distributed were 3rd Grade – The True Gift, 4th Grade – Defiance, 5th Grade – Hatchet, and 6th Grade – Uglies.
• VIS students raised over $1300 for the Warren Count Children’s Shelter.  The top three homeroom money raisers were 1st Place Eric Cooley – 6th Grade, 2nd Place Teetee Braxton – 5th Grade, 3rd Place Tasha Thompson – 6th Grade, 4th Place NaJee Myles – 5th Grade, and 5th Place Kristen Williams – 6th Grade.
• Report cards will be sent home in weekly folders on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.  Parents need to sign the report card and return it to the homeroom teacher.

Warren Central High School
• Varsity boys’ track and field tryouts will be held Wednesday, Jan. 7, in the WC stadium at 4 p.m.   A sign-up sheet is outside room 310.  See Coach Tyrone for more information.
• Varsity girls’ track and field tryouts will be held Thursday, Jan. 8, in the WC stadium at 4 p.m.  A sign-up sheet is outside room 604.  See Coach Taylor for more information.
• Students will begin the second semester on Monday, Jan. 5.  Have a safe and happy Christmas break!