Hometown Rankin - December 2015 & January 2016

Pie the Principal
The students at Pearl Upper Elementary were challenged
during the first nine weeks to reach various achievement goals in
language arts and mathematics. The goals were to demonstrate
growth on STAR reading and math assessments and to earn the
individually set number of Accelerated Reader points during
the term. The reward for reaching two of the three goals was an
opportunity to “pie the principal.” Pictured smearing a whipped
cream pie on the face of PUE Principal, Gavin Gill, is Ja’Marion
Turner. Preparing the next round of pies is Candace Batson,
PUE counselor, with Adrianna Greenfield and Jocelyn Haymon
anxiously waiting their turns. Over 450 fourth and fifth grade
students met their goals and celebrated the accomplishment with
Mr. Gill.
PHS Performs
Steel Magnolias
Marshmallow
Challenge
Students in seventh grade math classes at Pearl Junior High
School recently took part in the Marshmallow Challenge, a design
exercise to encourage teams to experience simple but profound
lessons in collaboration, innovation, and creativity. Each group
was tasked with constructing the tallest free-standing structure
possible using twenty sticks of spaghetti noodles, one yard of
tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The teams were
given eighteen minutes to complete the assignment. In this short
period of time, students engaged in the mathematical practices
of making sense of problems and persevering to solve them;
reasoning abstractly and quantitatively; and constructing viable
arguments and critiquing the reasoning of others.
Pictured L to R with their structure are Brady Helms, Tori Douglas,
and Weslyn McMurrin.
The Pearl High School Drama Department recently presented
Steele Magnolias. This classic story about the bond of friendship
and the inner strength of southern women set in a Natchiotches
beauty shop was brought to the PAC stage under the
direction of PHS drama instructor Lacey Smith.
(L to R) Raven McGowan (M’Lynn), Anna Smith (Clairee), Taylor Carpenter
(Annelle), Jodi Bullock (Truvy), and Julia Smith (Ouiser). Sitting is Natalie
Davis (Shelby).
The mission of Pearl Public School District
is to prepare each student to become a
lifelong learner, achieve individual goals,
and positively impact a global society.
Hometown Rankin • 111