Embracing a Policy Alternative

Soon after I arrived to Hattiesburg in February, I started riding the bus each morning to speak with students and get their input on our district and policies. Students repeatedly mentioned the district’s cell phone policy as an issue. My first meeting with the district’s student advisory council found the same thing. The students there also brought up as issues around the cell phone policy, and they suggested ideas about using them in class. After these meetings, I did some research about our discipline data and alternative cell phone policies in other districts.

At the start of this school year, I met with the district’s principals and administrators to discuss my thoughts about our district cell phone policy.  I felt that cell phones are a part of daily life and that we need to find ways to embrace them in constructive ways. I also felt we needed to stop spending so much time trying to keep students from having them. After the meeting, the principals agreed to allow secondary students to have cell phones at school. They are not to use them during class, but there is no penalty for simply having a phone at school at Hattiesburg High or N.R. Burger.

The flip side of this is that these little handheld computers can now be put to use for instruction! At Hattiesburg High some of our teachers have taken the initiative and incorporated using cell phones into some of their lessons. Students can browse the web as part of an assignment and send in responses via texting, etc.

By taking the focus off cell phones, staff and administrators can focus on discipline issues that really matter. Students understand the policy and principals report that very few students have violated the new policy. This idea just seemed to make sense for our students in a technology-dependent society.

James Q. Bacchus

Serving the Needs of Our Students

In order to educate children today, we have to meet the needs of the whole child. In Hattiesburg Public Schools we have formed many partnerships to address the needs of our children, both in the classroom and elsewhere, to help them be better able to learn. These partnerships help bridge the gaps related to mental health, physical well-being, social and emotional development, dental health and basic needs such as food, clothing and shelter. These needs must be met or addressed in order for teaching and learning to take place.

In education, we operate in a world that is heavily tested and measured by scores and outcomes. This often can lead people to think only of a school and students in terms of their scores. But, if we want our students to perform well and maintain a high score, we must first tackle the obstacles that exist in their lives that hinder learning. In order to do that I have recently changed the focus of our school counselors, so that they can help connect some of the various support available in the schools and the community to the students who need that service and support. Our counselors had previously been used as test coordinators, among other things, for schools, but no longer! I want our counselors to be able to focus on serving children and their many needs. Their excitement and enthusiasm at this new change tells me they agree. When students are healthy and feel good about themselves, their focus can be on learning and great things can happen in the classroom.

James Q. Bacchus

Preparing for Tomorrow

“Today’s Learners, Tomorrow’s Leaders!” is the motto for Hattiesburg Public Schools. Economic forecasters have stated that 65% of the jobs we are educating our eighth graders for today haven’t even been created yet. The state of Mississippi has taken a giant step forward by being one of the 45 states to adopt the Common Core State Standard (CCSS). The CCSS will support preparing students for college and career readiness, global competition, clarity and consistency on what is taught, equity that all students will be taught the same things, and requires collaboration among states, districts and community agencies. In order for us to prepare our learners today for leading tomorrow, we must engage them in their learning. Hats off to Ms. Aderholdt and Ms. Saucier, first grade teachers at Hawkins Elementary School, for bringing their students' reading to life by inviting Japanese students and their instructor from the University of Southern Mississippi to their class to share some cultural aspects related to the story the students read in class. It is the planning and engagement of teachers like this that will embrace the CCSS and prepare our students for tomorrow.


James Q. Bacchus

A Student-Centered Focus

There were three events that took place recently that I thought were extremely meaningful to the success of Hattiesburg Public Schools, the City of Hattiesburg and the Pine Belt. The first was the Mission Readiness briefing hosted at the African-American Military History Museum with three retired admirals and generals of the armed forces. They introduced a report that supports the importance of early, high-quality childhood development and learning that helps children to succeed in school and later in life. Most importantly, the report supports and confirms that early learning is the key. The study looked at three program areas with a control group with and without early learning programs. Those without a high-quality early learning program were 70 percent more likely to be arrested for violent crimes by age 18, and had a 29 percent lower graduation rate. One study showed that students without a pre-k experience are 51 percent more likely to be retained. The main stake for the Mission Readiness group is that recruitment and retention challenges for the arm forces could return if America does not do a better job now of producing qualified individuals for the service. Their findings only reinforce my commitment to expanding and improving the early learning opportunities for the children of Hattiesburg.

Second, the Little Brown Jug Game: It was an outstanding display of two communities (Laurel and Hattiesburg) coming together in support of their school and community. As I watched the event unfold one would think of tension and strife, but to the contrary, I observed fellowship, respect and pride. I watched the police and security on hand, enjoying the event, knowing they were there only in case of an emergency. By allowing our students to participate in a well-organized game that exhibited teamwork and sportsmanship, we are giving them skills and examples that will stay with them for the rest of their lives, on and off the field. My hat is off to both the Laurel and Hattiesburg communities for setting and raising the standard for a quality family outing, such as high school football.

Third, the Pine Belt Leadership Summit: The summit was well attended by many leaders from across the region, including: political, faith-based, colleges and universities, k-12, and social services. I attended the second part of a two-part session. From my view, our charge is to develop an action plan for improvements around growth, sustainability and quality of life. The participants were divided into groups of eight or more to discuss the problems, the challenges to change and how to address the problems and opportunities we have for change. Quite naturally, the school system was listed as a problem. However, it was not a blame game session, but an opportunity to put solutions on the table. The summit ended with two action steps: 1. We appointed a small group, who will meet to select a goal(s) for a quick win for the region, and 2. Each participant will select a partner to meet monthly to expand on ideas. I am reminded of a quote by Dr. Joris Ray:

"Change occurs when the pain of not changing becomes greater than the pain to change."

We are facing a number of changes in Hattiesburg Public Schools and we are remaining focused on the needs of our students. I know that by keeping a student-centered focus, we are on a path to great things!

James Q. Bacchus

It's All About Support

America's smallest school is the home. I am proud to say that Hattiesburg’s smallest schools are stepping up to the plate for our students. We are extremely appreciative of the parental engagement that the parents of Hattiesburg Public School District are showing for their schools and community. Each of our schools has a PTA organization and every school has a parent volunteer trained as a Practical Parent Educator! These parents will train other parents in the schools about how to help students and teachers better support student success. It’s very valuable to have empowered parents in our schools acting on the students’ behalf.

This year 90% of our students were enrolled by the first day of school! This tells me that our parents understand the importance of having their child in school from the very start! We need our students in class everyday, so that we can make the most of our short time with them. That is the kind of support that is going to help our students succeed!

Speaking of support, over 3000 parents, students and community members came out to support the Hattiesburg High football team, band, and cheerleaders at the first home game of the season. We are proud to have them as partners. I know that the city is excited for the new season and the potential of great things from our new coaches! This week the Tigers are in Laurel to play for the Little Brown Jug!

-James Q. Bacchus