Hometown Rankin - June & July 2017

Highland Bluff Elementary
Each year in Mississippi, third grade
students, their parents, and their
teachers can’t help but get a little
nervous when it comes to the literacy
exam that, by law, all third graders have
to pass to be promoted to fourth grade.
At Highland Bluff Elementary School,
109 students took the exam this spring.
On May 10, the long anticipated score
reports were sent to the schools and
were ready to be sent home. Upon
realizing that 100% of all third graders at
Highland Bluff had met the promotion
requirements, a special reveal
celebration was in order!
For the reveal celebration, staff
members dressed like Star Wars
characters since, leading up to the test,
the third grade hall had been decorated
like a galaxy with each child’s name on a
star and light sabers at the entry to the
hallway near a blow up Yoda who’s sign
said, “May the force be with you.”
Following with the Star Wars theme,
the reveal celebration began with an
image of Star Wars visible on the
stage screen and Star Wars
soundtrack music was playing while
students entered the cafeteria for
what they thought was another book
club meeting. Green Yoda juice
(Sonic slushies) were set out for each
student. A letter with each student’s
name was folded and sealed for them
to open. Each student’s letter had
Yoda holding a green light saber and
had the following words written,
“Congratulations! The Force was with
YOU! You passed. HBE was 100%.”
Then, students were told
congratulations on behalf of Dr.
Townsend, RCSD Superintendent,
Dr. Crain, Asst. Superintendent, and
all of their HBE family! As expected,
there were cheers of joy, tears of relief,
and a special moment the staff and
students of HBE shared that will be a
cherished memory for years to come.
Florence High
8th grade students were honored with a special
program, “The Tassel is Worth the Hassle”, which
recognizes the students for all of their hard work while
at the middle school. The program also portrayed the
importance of graduating from high school and
encouraged them to work hard towards graduation.
The students are provided a breakfast, a special t-shirt
with their graduation year, and a tassel. As the students
enjoyed breakfast, special guest speaker, Dr. Sue
Townsend, inspired them by sharing her personal
struggles and successes that she faced along her college
and career journey. As the students leave the program,
they carry their mock graduation certificate and a
brochure with information on how to be successful in
high school and thoughts to consider as they plan for
their future once graduating high school.
Submissions provided by local officials from each individual district and not to be considered editorial opinion.
Hometown Rankin • 97