Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 18, 2008 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It should be interesting to read the comments for this story, today.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 12:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

can you imagine?

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

hmmm.... So lets bring the public school down once more.... People wonder why parents put there children in private schools??

Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well fire, the scores speak for themselves.
It takes a RARE kid to be able to focus and get a good education in the public schools here these days.

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I agree 100% ntzmom ...I have a grandchild that will start 3 yr old prek in august and needless to say public school was not even a question but, we knew this from the day we found out we were having a grandchild.....If it can be avoided i think at whatever cost your child shouldn't attend public school.. That's just my opion about our grandkids though...i know alot of situations you have no other choice just so sad for the kids who can't get the best education if you ask me.

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

You know i think if they got some teachers in there that wasn't afraid of the students would really help....More important than that if alot of these students not all but alot of them had parents that cared would help probably more than anything....

Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Right fire. My husband hated having to pay tuition, I mean God knows we pay enough taxes in this town to cover an education, BUT, we toured the schools, and public school just wasnt an option. We sacraficed a few things, but you do what you gotta do for your kids!

Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The majority of the students that are not passing is largely due to the fact that many students are not taking their academic rolls seriously enough to put forth the efforts that are necessary for "making the grade". Too many are much to preocupied with anything and everything except education. A general lack of accountability, not only in their part but in their parents' part, seems to be evident. Too many students appear to be lazy and inattentive. In talking with some friends who still have children in the schools, share with me that the discipline problems are severe enough in the schools that much of the teaching process is lost due to continued disruptive behaviors and a lack of action and support taken by the Administration, Superintendent's office and the school board. There are too many inconsistencies in dealing with the habitual disruptive students by the different administrators. There is an element that just needs to be removed from the classroom so that the teachers and students can get down to the business of this thing called education. I sence that many of the students that attend Cathedral, Holy Family School, and the private schools do so because many are just fed up with the discipline problems in the public schools. The habitual offenders are given too many chances to re-enter the classroom, continuing to keep destroying the education process from occuring with their disruptive behavior. Consequences have got to become stronger and consistent. The school board and upper level administration is going to have to make some radical changes in their policy in regards to discipline if they expect learning to, once again, take place in the classroom. Unless something radical is done to remedy this situation, the demise of the public schools will continue in the negative aspect.

When my children were having problems with their grades, I made myself available for conferences and took on the responsibility of making sure that my children kept up with their studies by insisting that they adhere to a regular regiment for 'at home' study and only loosened the gip when positive results bacame evident. The parents of these students who are not making the grade are going to have to take an interest in their child's education by becoming involved.

The public schools, including the technology center at NHS, have much to offer the students. The schools offer many different programs to keep students minds challenged and interested. So there should be no excuse for the students in the Natchez schools to be kept from excelling academicly. There are many fine teachers who are doing their best to pull all of the "stops" to try and reach these students. You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink it.

Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Once again, I suggest a magnet school.
It is free, but you have a certain GPA to get in.

Seperate the problem kids so that the ones that want an education can get one without fear, or disruptive classmates, drugs ect...

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

My daughter went to Trinity's open house last night...Ntzmom and Ntzmom55 i agree with both of you...

The public school might need to think about bringing bcak the "licks" program.....It is apparent that the parents surely don't care or most of them don't. I can remeber when i come home from school if i had got into trouble guess what yep got it again when i got home. Lord help if someone called my parents and told them i was doing soemthing i had no business doing....But, All i can do now is Thank them for CARING enough to make sure i did what iw as suppose to do....Alot of these children that disrupt these classes is because why not? What's going ot happen? When they get home what's going to happen? Nothing that's what...

I do not belive in beating a child by any means but, I do belive in the fastest way to a kids head is through there tail...So many parents are scared of there child..That i can not understand for the life of me....I guess you have to start when they are small you can NOT waitt ill they are grown and try and correct them...DHS needs to stay out of it if it is a case where a parent is just correcting a child (not beating or abusing) stay out of it....I understand there is cases where some parents are abusive but, most aren't...My saying when my children was small if they said anything about calling dhs call em let them by you 50.00 pants,75.00 shoes,feed you...Call them i'll take you to them...Save them the gas money....Thank God i never had trouble out of mine like that blessed is all i can say...If i had to raise a child now days I would be the one on the front page of the paper cause the first time they talked ot me the way i hear some children talk to there parents...Oh LORDY LORDY....Wouldn't be nice!!!

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That's a good idea ntzmom....Jackson has a magnet school..If it can work there should be able to work here....

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think they should have it to where if you don't send your child to a public school you shouldn't have to pay the taxes for it..Why should you?

Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I wonder what it would take to get a magnet school here? Anyone have any ideas?

And I raised mine the same as you...and I did pop her butt in the grocery store when she was bad. I told her I would beat her (I talked so tough lol) but I would say "I don't care if the Pope is standing here, I will beat you like a yard dog kid if you do that again! "

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

lol....I hear ya ntzmom....I felt like if we were going ot raise them then i be durn i surely was going to correct them...They may not want to admit it lol but, They are glad they were corrected and raised to respect people and if they were in public they surely better not act out....i rember one time my daughter is 6 yrs older than my son we were in wal mart son was tiny she wanted a 45.00 doll(rolling eyes) i told her no..She preseded (sp) to throw a fit in wal mart i turned her around marched straigh over where the belts was took one off the shelf and spanked her wiht it told her now you have a reason to cry..A lady said to me Mam do you know how much trouble you can get into by spanking your child in public My response was yes i do but, Do you know how much trouble she can get into in a few years when noone can do anything with her and shes on first name bases with the law? You would be the first to say if only her parents would have done something with her when she was little...So should i wait here for you to call??? Needless to say she had nothing else to say...

Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

That is too funny! I did the same thing minus the belt! I popped mine and a lady said something crappy and I turned to her and said "lady, I don't want her be one the kids that will run over your mailbox, destroy your yardand be a common face to the law" and that shut her up!!!

Mone is not perfect, but to this day, (she is 24) she says yas mam and yes sir to everyone she talks to, she opens doors for people, she has a great heart and even she thanks me for raising her the way we did.

Too many people have kids, then just throw them to the wolves it seems. It is a full time job to raise a child to be an assett to society.

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Oh yes i agree...If i had to do it now...i think i owuld say thank you but, no thank you....Both of mine say yes mam no mam yes sir no sir..needless to say when we are all togother i hear my kids say it my chest swells:):) with pride of course lol...Thank God mine are grown...Sometimes sometimes i miss them being little but not enough to do it again lol

Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I do hope someone has some ideas as to how we can get a magnet school going here.
I dont have a grandbaby YET (want one so bad), but I would love to know that there will be a good, safe public school for the next generation to go to.
I mean what if we are really headed towards a recession as people say? how will anyone afford private school?
We need to do something.

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I understand that....Public school will not get any better till someone starts correcting these children that apparantly do not know how ot act..Or there parents...Maybe if you made the parents responsible for what there child did then who knows...I mean some parents out there do there best and still there child wants to act like a monkeys butt...So you know i just don't know...But, I truly believe if you start witht hem when they are young it makes a world of diffrence in a child. At leastt hey know you care enough to try..

Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't some of the private schools have scholarship programs?

Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Start a new program....if the child is uncontrollable by the second grade, send them home to the parents for their education, but require testing. No education, no governmental breaks of any kind...be it welfare or tax exceptions. Those parents would be allowed to keep all tax dollars they owed for education because that would be the funds they were allowed to use to educate the kids. No other help available.

If by the second grade, parents knew that they would get the kid back if he/she did not behave, you would see some different kids.

Posted by shedevil (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 5:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why is this not a suprise....I dont think they are teaching the public school kids english...what in the heck is dat...da..and the other crap they are using

Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

90% is the student, 10% academics. These children don't have their minds on academics, they are far too concerned with facebook.com, BET, MTV, the latest dance crazes, etc. For the kids who can't pass English, Algebra, go into these same schools where they are failing, play Soulja Boy or some other foolishness, and they will not only know it word for word, but can tell you all about who he is, and NO, it's not just relegated to one particular demographic. I remember when I got a serious scolding for bringing home a "C" in Chemistry. Although I passed the class, my Dad went to North Natchez, told O.K. Reed and Mrs. Walker, at the time, that I would be repeating Chemistry, because I could do better! You don't have parents that involved anymore, and BOTH my parents worked when I was coming up. Priorities and mind-sets have to change! Teachers are the facilitators, but it's up to our children to possess the mind to want to pick up and run with what they are given. Working the teachers to death with "re-teaching", whatever that means, isn't going to amount to a hill of beans, unless you have the STUDENTS and the parents, just as committed to their future, as the teacher.

Pull the pants up
Remove earrings and other head jewelry from the boys
Dress code, dress code, dress code, it's the REAL world
Monitor homework/TV/video games/hanging out activities
Monitor the music they are listening to, at least while you are around
Demand BETTER from them, adults shouldn't be trying to be "friends" with any child in their care
Monitor their language, I remember if you were under 25, you didn't let older folk hear you curse

Posted by saywhat (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When we lived in Vidalia the schools were better than Natchez but when we moved to Texas they are 100X's better. I pay slightly higher taxes here but don't have to send my kids to private and thank goodness we moved. Between the schools and the work it has been such a blessing.

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One positive note...these kids probably won't be able to understand this article or these comments.

Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

either you pay the high tution in NTZ. for a private school ALONG with TAXES to keep the public schools running OR like many folks who can't afford all that MOVE out and find better schools! (THE taxes we pay here on the coast is CRAZY!! $687 a year!! BUT WE HAVE THE 2ND RANKED PUBLIC SCHOOL in the state of MS 2 MINS. DOWN THE ROAD :)

what i don't understand is why not fix up some of the old schools around NTZ. or better yet take half of that $15 million that's being used for recreation and BUILD a newer maybe smaller school and divide these kids up? it's like they are in a dang shoe box! 30 kids PER CLASS!! not only would you need a teacher with an asst. but you would need another asst. as well... there is no way the kids are getting near about the one on one attention they might need every now and then from a teacher that has 30 x 6 classes a DAY!

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was thinking...since the article is about failing English...how many people are double and triple checking their grammar and spelling before posting a comment?

<<raising my hand>>

Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

wow... reading the records section... they are really takin the cyberstalkin/bullyin seriously huh????

Posted by azlm101 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If you really want to know why the kids are doing so bad in school he is my view on it.
Why study hard in school when you can stand on the street corner looking cool and sell drugs and make 3 or 4 thousand dollars a weekend? And if you get caught to dont even have to do any time. If you dont believe that last statement just look in the FOR THE RECORD on this website and read the court case's.
Every one of the cases reads like this---- CRIME (you can put any crime in this spot) Found guilty --- sentenced to 2 years ----sentence suspended ------- 2 years probation ----- FINE $380.00 . Now with that said why would any student want to stay up late at night studing an can only make $300.00 a week after graduating?

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As many of you know from past posts, I homeschooled my four kids. And I had one that still gave me a hard time with the music, dress, and such. I remember finding a tape in his room while cleaning it one day. It was obvisouly (sp) hidden because it fell out from behind a cabinet. Anyway, he grabbed it but I put my foot on it before he got to it and asked him to play it for me to hear. After the first few lines, I took it out of the machine and proceeded to pull the tape out of the case. He said mom it's not mine!! I told him now it wasn't anybodys and I better not ever see @#$% in my house again. This is the young man who served in Iraq, recieved several Army comendations, and is now in law enforcement. What if I had not been that strict? Parents have to get involved in every aspect of their kids lives. Someone said something about the teachers being afraid, welll I think the parents are afraid too. They have been told not to stifle their kids, not to punish them and that is a load of bull manure. Parents need to take back their kids - they are the ones paying for the tv, radio, etc. Stop paying for it.

Posted by Oracle (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Public school? No such thing in Natchez. Public Day Care Centers would be a more appropriate name.

Tell me again how much it costs us to provide this service per student per year.

Posted by noneya (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I apoligize, this is off subject: Buttercup, I saw that in the records! Is this the father of the guy that went to jail for shooting his friend? Do I remember someone on here earlier in a debate whether there was a Pruitt blogging here on the ND? Wish they would do something with that A-----a guy (you remember, he's the one making threats to Astrid)

Posted by MsKitty39120 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

well it all started when they started tell us (parents) we could not spank our children and they stoped it. duhhh, it donts take much to figure that out.. you got you licks and ohh boy everyone in the school knew. it word got around fast... and home before you got there. yep they say they will take you child if you paddle his butt and then ask why you cant control you kid....

Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

oh... that's right ((noneya)) i'm sure those two are VERY CLOSE IN KIN! and i wonder if he stalked the wrong one this time??

((mskitty39120)) as far as spanking goes... the public school down here STILL SPANKS childern only after they have been giving warning after warning after warning.. the princpals know all they have to do is dail my number and i go to the school WITH my OWN PADDLE! i spank my childern and will continue to do so until they are paying their own bills then and only then will i 'consider' putting the paddle into retirement...

Posted by opinsab (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thats the problem to day parents dont get envolved!! My mom is a teacher at robert lewis and i tell you shed do it for free thats how much she loves her job. I myself grad from cathedral, and i tell you i learned how to deal with snobbs!! Yep i said it!! My little sister has went to cathedral, accs and then to the middle school, now at natchez high. She does have a few problems with some of the boys harrassing her although their not picking on her telling her how fat she is or telling everybody she s a hoe, or talking about her cheap shoes. See i only wish my parents had of sent me to natchez high. Because you get a totally different way of how to respect and act towards all kinds of people, ( black, white, poor, wealthy, hispanic,) you name it their there. And at cathedral i didnt get that i was taught by parents (to whom acted just like their children) and the teachers, along with the principle, that if you dont have money or your not born into the social class then your not apart weather you pay or not. My child is four and i have the money to send him to cathedral but why would i want to intruduce my child to the cruel ways of snobbs? No not all are just the maj!! Its sad and not mentioned much, but its all true!! No i wasnt the most popular although i tell you i had many friends that which i grad with that still are my friends just the same as most would. Parents should give adams county school dist another chance. Although we sould have it like it was when my parents went to school a north natch high and a south natchez high, back then it was 60% white 40% black at one and the other all black, at least parents would send their kids to public school.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

A lot of you have made some very valid point on this subject. ((NtzMom55)) you have definitely hit the nail on the head and you've said everything I have been thinking and wanted to say. The only thing I have to add is: Why aren't our Presidential candidates putting education at the top of their list of priorities of issues that need addressing?????

Of course, the economy is a MAJOR issue requiring immediate attention. But, if we don't find a way to provide a quality education and an environment conducive to learning, we're going to find ourselves falling behind, even more, in so many areas when we are compared academically to other foreign countries. If we don't find a viable solution, soon, to all the problems we are facing with the kids of today and our educational system, America's future is going to be looking mighty dim!!! It appears that we are losing a whole generation of kids -- and that's a very said commentary for the United States.

"No child left behind" will be replaced with "A nation left behind" if don't do something fast!!!!!

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Correction: "No child left behind" will be replaced with "A nation left behind", if WE don't do something fast!!!!!

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why not bring back a few of the HS grads that made it into college in challenging fields and challenging careers to talk to the kids still in HS? I am talking about successful ex-students that are in their early 20's that are making it academically in the world.

These students need to "see the dream" realized by their older peers. They need to "see" beyound the darkness thru the eyes of others that paid the price academically.

It is a complicated problem...but the solution starts with a vision.

Posted by lambchop (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

students must take their studies seriously and the ones with parents / grandparents need to work with them and I don't care what their ages are. If my mom had not worked with me and made me do and redo I would not have had as good an education as the schools offered when I attended public schools. It takes the family to put this one across. support from all family members and quit comparing child A with child B etc. Each has to stand on his/her own merits and likes. Go for it kids - you can make a success of your life if you will try. If you can learn every music album you play, you can learn the stuff that will make you a better candidate for a job.

Posted by thick1982 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Most people are teaching for a paycheck and don't care if the children passes the test, MCT or that the school has dropped to a lower level. So my advice to you is, don't think that everyone who is certified is qualified. It's not only the teachers but the students too. Majority of the students have not prepared themselves for the test and thinks its something that they can retake next year. But when reality set and they realize they can't pass to the next grade or graduate, they will understand the importance of the test.

Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen ijohnson,frogprincenessntz , MsKitty39120, and buttercup..

Posted by eaglebe (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have no children in the school systems: private, parochial or public. I just want to encourage the parents- get involved. There are parent centers in the schools with tons of material at no cost to the parents to use with your children. Teachers, try and get the words out to the parents that the centers are available. Young people, there is enough time to goof off, please go to school and work at obtaining knowledge. The choices you make today will have an effect on your future. And for those of us who don't have children, we can still get involved. Let pull together to help every child in every school do well. We are a community, we are in this together.

Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"More disappointing to the board members than the numbers though, was the fact that parents have not come to the school upset at the latest grades."

That about says it all. Parents. It all boils down to the parents.

Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see then mention teacher absenteeism.

What about student absenteeism.

Let's see the report of how many times these failing students are absent? Where are those numbers??

How about how many times students come to school not having done their homework??

Come on Demo--do some REAL investigative reporting.

Posted by frogprincenessntz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

opinsab...I am sorry if this offends you or your mother, but you clearly are not well educated. Your grammar, punctuation, and spelling are dismal. If your mother did not or could not teach you or assist you in learning correctly, why do we pay her to try to teach others. I am sure she loves her job, but she has to make the effort to improve her performance.

I have a niece who is dyslexic and is also a teacher. I have never been afraid to say that the only place she should teach is in remedial areas to pump up students like her who have to learn differently from others. The school systems disagree. She teaches in a regular classroom, but her spelling, etc. mirrors yours.

Our whole system is screwy. It is not politically correct to expect teachers to be able to read, write, or spell well. Our students are failing because we allow the blind to lead the blind!!

Posted by roberth33 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Our students are failing because parents are AWOL from training their own children. Are there lousy teachers? Sure, in every school in the 50 states. But lousy teachers are not why children don't learn.

Children are home more hours than in the classroom and home more days of the year than in the classroom.

I've said it before, when was the last time you saw/heard the Public Library had to close due to over-crowding.

Posted by bjparker (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All of you have some very valid points but the problem begins long before school begins. If children are not taught how to act in public and how to respect their elders at an early age, they will not learn it at school age. Anyway, the teachers are hired to teach, not rear the child. My children are grown and all professional people with excellent manners but they were taught what to do and what not to do from the time they could walk and speak. They still say yes ma'am, no ma'am, yes sir, no sir, please and thank you when speaking to people older or in a higher position than them. Yes, I spanked them but rarely needed to. They knew how to act and preferred not to get a spanking. Let's put the responsibility where it belongs and, like the teacher in one of the comments said, enforce some stringent dress codes and rules of conduct at the schools, and require that they have dire consequences if not followed. Taking welfare and any other government assistance away from the family if their child creates unnecessary problems in school may be an answer. It would get the parents attention then. It appears to be difficult to get anyone's attention until you get into their pocketbook. I do not live in Natchez now but have in the past and raised my children in that area. I pay an extremely high property tax for the school system where I currently live (much more that $687). We have a high-academic school district but there are still occasional problems with the children here too. A large percentage of the children of today just do not have the proper upbringing to prepare them for the real world. I constantly hear parents saying "please" when trying to get a child to behave in a store. That is a big "no no". You should never say please to a child for something that is already expected of him or her anyway - only when requesting them to do something special for you. Adequate funding nor anything else will solve the problem until the parents start parenting again. Good luck to Natchez. I went to school there and hate to see it go downhill.

And just for a footnote, the computer age has created a total lack of respect for the English language. People are too lazy and/or complacent to type. This probably has a negative effect on the test scores in English.

Posted by Incognito (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Invest in the prison or school? Do the math.... research how much funding goes into providing housing for an inmate vs. funding for a student in the public school system. No child left behind, oh, ok....

Obama '08

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great point ((roberth33)) ". . . when was the last time you saw/heard the Public Library had to close due to over-crowding."

Where I live, the library branch in my neigborhood is usually crowded. But they have a separate room set aside for "teens" whereby they have laptops to utilize. The problem is: most of the time they use them to download music and listen to it. Therefore, they had to set up a "sound-proof" room and isolate them from the general population so they wouldn't pollute the air with all that noise.

As for our central library, you can't hardly get to a computer for the homeless guys. As soon as the library opens, they rush in and post up on a computer and watch porn all day. No joke!!!! I've had to bring it to the librarians' attention, on several occasions, when I've taken my kids and nephew there to do research. It's absolutely shameful. Security had to escort one guy out because he refused to stop his activity. When the librarian admonished him, he would get up and go to another computer and do the same thing. I asked the security guard to observe him -- that's when he got thrown out. The nerve of some people, sitting up in the library ALL DAY watching porn. They should be out somewhere looking for a job!!!!

Posted by Pixieview (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Talk to the High school about inviting former students to come and speak with the students. Several students I graduated with in 1995 have done really well for themselves in the professional fields and I don't believe any of us would have a problem coming to speak with the students. The key to reaching them is the ability to get on their level and explain things. I teach students of all ages and I have to alter how I say things and what I speak about with each age group. It is a beautiful thing when you can see the moment of realization that they understand what you are speaking about. It ranks up there with the moment when your children have children of their own and they finally admit that you were right to parent them the way you did.

Posted by Pixieview (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 11:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Teach4Peace if the kids knew the origination of the sagging pants fashion statement and its' meaning they would all have their pants belted around their chests and look like Steve Urkel (sp).

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny thing . . . some of you mentioned the dress code, etc. Well, my daughter was about to leave the house this morning with these furry slippers. So, I asked her why she hadn't changed into her regular shoes, she responded, "Oh, I'm going to wear these today since we only have to go to school for half-a-day due to testing. They are so comfortable and some of the girls have been wearing them to school." Well, my response was, "Absolutely not!!!! I don't care who wears them to school, you will not. They are not street shoes and you will not be wearing them outside of this house! So, get some school shoes on, now!"

Needless to say, that was the end of that discussion and we went on about our merry way. My daughter knows there are some things I will not tolerate, and following the crowd is one of them. However, I think that the best policy is to nip it in the bud if you, the parent, have any reservations about it. If we let them get away with one thing that doesn't meet our standards as parents, then they will try to get away with antoher. It only makes raising children harder if you don't set some ground rules and stick to them. Consistency is everything!!!

Posted by c_8512 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Ask a random student who Susan S. Cassagne is and chances are they have never heard the name before. Ask a random student who John Hudson is and they probably know the man's phone number and where he can be reached at all times.

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 18, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

OUCH!

Posted by hutto2007 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

First, the school board should be a group of volunteers that have representatives (parents) from each school. The superintendent would answer DIRECTLY to the board/parents. The parents have to be QUALIFIED, and pass a state certified course to serve on the board. The board should change EVERY school year. The schools have to invest money back into the schools and the kids. Its all about focus. The focus should not be on an education, but on the kids. If you focus on the kids, the education will come. The schools should have a strict discipline policy. From dress to hair to jewelry. Our school system even has a policy on HAIR color. It has to be natural, or close to natural. We have to have a system in place to connect parents and teachers with kids. We are able to check grades online DAILY, email teachers and they have to respond DAILY. It has to go all the way to the lunch room. If you feed them crap, dont expect to get anything but crap. ALLOW THEM TO ASSOCIATE with each other. They keep taking away all their recreation time. Kids need time to break away. Discipline will allow this to happen in a way that is suitable. Finally, make the parents MUCH more responsible. If a child is not getting their homework here, you will get a letter, then a call, then a visit from someone uniformed. If you have the kid, take the responsibility...period. Im not saying what we have is perfect, but from concordia parish, to here is night and day. I know a lot of great teachers back in vidalia. They just do not have a chance with the way the system is set up. Everyone is a victim. Its not that the kids are stupid, they are just ignorant from parents who are ignorant and dont want to take responsibility for their monthly check/child. Call me what you like, but its true.

Posted by USMBOY (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I went to Natchez High, now read my user name.

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

u can blame whoever (maybe "whomever") you like, but it is the sole responsbility of the student to partake of the daily opportunity that school provides. this problem could very well be directly related to socio-economic, racial, and other issues, but the fact remains that getting an "A" in a class is a decision a student makes on a daily basis.

some kids will "make it" regardless of the condition of the school, home, or economic environment. some kids never will.

the kids "on the bubble" are the vast majority of the students.
these are the kids that need to reach a level of "self-actualizaiton" before it is too late for them.

if history is any indication (and it is) there are many kids who
have come out of the Nat school system that have made a significant mark on the world....therefore the school system must be doing something right.

the opportunity exists...the motivation is lacking.

it is sad that so few take advantage...perhaps they cannot see
what it is that they are throwing away.

so many more mouths that will not be able to feed themselves in the future.

when too many folks get hungry...civilizations fall.
when too many folks get hungry,,,there aren't any safe neighborhoods.
when too many folks get hungry...it will be worse than it is now!

Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I saw in the many above where someone suggested the president isn't putting education at the propel level of needing to be addressed. I don't think this is a federal problem. I believe its a local problem, and maybe a state problem. The people of Natchez have to fix this education dilema. I think the first step should be to make multiple smaller schools instead of the one large high school. But we are being held by a federal court ruling from years ago that Philip West and Company created. Once we can get the federal govt out of our hair, the people of Natchez should fix this problem.

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That makes a lot of sense Aesa. All of you have good points.

Hello, Ijohnson.

Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

1

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 1:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One positive note...these kids probably won't be able to understand this article or these comments.

ROFL!

Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on January 18, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alright angie may I ask you if that was a derogatory statement towards USMBOY? I graduated from Natchez High and passed not only English but Algebra as well. As long as everything else (i struggled w/ Chemistry though). You all need to remember these numbers do not reflect the entire school. ND why not report on something positive the good children of the public schools have to offer? (Not that I'm not appreciative of these numbers being reported.. I hope that this might wake some of these parents up)

Posted by USMBOY (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

(angiestaylor) since you asked, i when i left natchez high i had an "A" average in english as a senior. At USM i passed english comp 1, comp 2, and world lit. Oh yeah, i never made less than a "B" on any of my papers. Did you pass english?

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I passed English well enough to know the word I is capitalized, as well as the first word in a sentence and proper names. Sorry, but I have a real hard time text messaging! LOL

Posted by mztbaby (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

they should not have those test dats y people kids feelin now becausse of dat test they need to cut it out ......... some of these children parents should sew da school board stand up and do wats right these test these children take is feeling them real bad stand up

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

well we know where you went to school. lol

Posted by oilman111767 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All of you who spanked your children or spank your children should know that spanking does not work, if it did you should only have to do it once. Big people should not hit little people.
This only teaches them that hitting is okay.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

:)

Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on January 18, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

wow... Seriously... Go back and pay attention in English class.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Worked for me!

Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on January 18, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Ha.. When I got spankings they worked for me. Much better than grounding or whatever other lame punishment was brought against me.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My kids got spankings when they needed it, they did not get beaten, and I explained why they were being punished. One or two licks with a switch was usually all it took to get the point across that I was not going to put up with the same nonsense their friends parents put up with. They are now all grown, and better people for the spankings.

Posted by darlysings (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is in regards to the MANY negative comments that you all choose to make towards the public school system here in Natchez. First of all, let me state that I am a PROUD graduate of the district; and I went to college and became a teacher IN THIS DISTRICT. The majority of you who make these HORRIBLE comments do not even send your children to public schools. In fact, you aren't even affiliated with NASD in any way at all. You are drawing conclusions on things you know very little or NOTHING of. For those of you who think it's funny to make jokes about these students: SHAME ON YOU! Yes, there are problems! Yes, things need to change! YES!!!! The community, the ENTIRE community must play a role in making this city better. I love Natchez, and I love where I work. No it isn't a bed of roses all the time; but it is the career that was chosen by GOD for me. I take great offense in those terrible comments about NHS. It isn't a joke that the public education system is in the state that it is in, its a SERIOUS issue. To those of you who like to critique grammar and spelling so much: Get away from your computers, and gossip sessions long enough to visit a public school, volunteer, and help some of these students who are struggling so they WON'T FAIL; rather than throwing your hands up and making fun of them. Trust me it will make a difference! Parent and COMMUNITY support is the only way to make things better.

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Spanking worked for me. I spank my kids when they need it. I think the problem is parents playing the "timeout" game or "counting". They ey are too afraid to spank.

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The last sentence should have read: They are too afraid to spank.

(I need to make sure my grammar and spelling are correct before posting comments for this topic.)

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

mztbaby was joking.

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WOW...mztbaby...I have a better chance understanding that in Spanish.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

darylsings, I tried to volunteer at the high school once for some special classes in Science. The noise level in the class was so high the few who were interested could not even hear me. I graduated from Natchez-Adams High in 1966, and believe me we would never have dared make a sound if we had a visitor in the class. You are right, the ENTIRE Community should be making a difference, but the parents have these kids first and longest, the teachers next longest, and NOBODY is doing anything to help them. I currently volunteer at Cathedral twice a month - I get a lot more respect from those kids and I feel like I can make a difference in their lives. I have been a scout leader, 4H leader, and Sunday School teacher. You can tell what school the kids come from by the way they act and treat others. It is not right that a whole generation of kids are failing at life. This is NOT Dr. Kings dream and they need to be taught that ALL people need respect.

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Peace...it probably was a joke, but you never know...especially if he attended NHS.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

For those interested - the best behaved, most willing to learn, over-all nicest kids award goes to Holy Family!

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course they behave there...GOD IS WATCHING THEM.

LOL.

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, darlysings. It starts from the home. When I was growing up, I thought my parents were so strict, and now I see why they were. The both of them worked in the public school district, my dad being a teacher and my mom being a secretary. They couldn't afford to send me and my other two siblings to private school, so we had no choice but to act right and do well, along with their help. Now that I have a 9 year old, I can see why they were strict. He needs me to be strict; because if I don't, he will fail. He is very influentual. I went to public school, and it didn't kill me.

God didn't only bless my parents with good children, he blessed us with good parents. Parents or whoever the caregiver of a particular child play the most important role in that child's education.

I must say that some of these comments has some truth to it, but it's not a laughing matter. You are correct, also. Everything you said is correct. Public school isn't as bad as it seems. Majority of the children in this community, as well as this nation, are a product of public schools. Home improvement and parental support is a great start.

Posted by darlysings (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I disagree with the statement that someone made "NOBODY is trying to help them". I'm here everyday. No, I know that I can't reach them all... but maybe just a few can be touched by what I try to cover in my classes. I just get really offended when people assume that just because a young person here in Natchez attends a public school, they are automatically dumb, or ignorant. I know, first hand, many students who are extremely intelligent; and have WONDERFUL grammar and grades... They are frowned upon because they are students of the public schools. They aren't all bad, but most people fail to see it.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

((notfromnatchez)) God is watching you, too!!!! *lol*

HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS!!!!! (God's team) :-(

MAYBE NEXT YEAR!?!?!?!

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's okay Ijohnson. I hated to see them lose also. Maybe my Packers will get them for you. Yeah! I'm a cheesehead! LOL! How have you been?

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The Cowboys are America's Team.

They will be there next year....GUARANTEED.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

((darlysings)) thank you, for your efforts and geniune concern for the students in our public school system. No, it's not as bad as some would like to pretend it is, however, there is a lot we need to do to get things back on track. As you have stated, it is not a laughing matter or something to joke about, either.

((drawpaintsing)) yes, thank God for good parents who believed in discipline and based their parental teachings on sound principles and biblical teachings. We are much better people because of it.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, I'm cheering for the Packers, too. Now that the Cowboys are out of it, I guess old Brett is the man for me!!!!! Got to cheer for the homeboy!!!! *lol*

Yeah, Packers all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

((notfromnatchez)) yeah, the Cowboys are America's team. You know why we have that hole in our stadium, don't you?? It's there so God can watch his favorite team . . . the DALLAS COWBOYS!!!!!!

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am from Texas...and I have heard that JOKE before. And it is just that a JOKE.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

((drawpaintsing)) I'm doing pretty good, now. Thanks for asking! However, I've had a very busy and trying week. Last Monday, my tax preparer was killed in a car accident -- that really threw me for a loop because we were supposed to get together on Tuesday to go over my taxes. so, last week was a real bummer. Reality (and panic) is sinking in this week . . . what am I going to do about my taxes!!!!!!! *lol*

And, how are you doing!!! (I'm saying it like Resbrushia says it on Norbitt.) T-o-o funny!!!

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

((notfromnatchez)) IT AIN'T NO JOKE . . . IT'S A FACT!!!!! *lol*

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks, Ijohnson. Just because times have changed with children, that doesn't mean that parental discipline has to. I plan to keep my son in public school district, and raise him the way my parents did us. I am a single mother, and if I don't get married, I still will have someone great to help me. "Look to the sky." There he is. Isn't he beautiful?

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, he is!!

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You know, it is so hard raising kids. The bar of difficulty is really raised when you have to do it as a single parent.

Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You are right too Ijohnson. It's hard being a single parent, but it has to be done. A lot of people do it.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, a lot of people do it and they do it well, too. KUDOs to all the GOOD single parents!!!

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the Cowboys can't read either...can't read the defense!

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 4:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, ((aesa)) they get a "D" in reading defense!!!! As for Romo, he can't see past Jessica! *lol*

Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 5:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

((oilman111767)) spankings worked for me! until i realized they had stopped spanking then i went CRAZY!!

the spankings my children get is working for them also!

ex. my oldest had gotten a lil cocky and winded up in the office NOT ONCE BUT TWICE IN ONE DAY! (the principal knowing he must be having an off day considering he is STRAIGHT HONOR ROLL STUDENT AND MOM DON'T PLAY WHEN IT COMES TO THEIR EDUCATION LET HIM SLIDE) haha he just thought he was in the clear!! got home had a lil talk with me and the ATTITUDE ADJUSTER (paddle) and HE HAS BEEN WALKING A STRAIGHT LINE EVER SINCE!

so spankings do work!! BEATINGS DON'T!!

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

...credit where credit is due!!!

Several members of my own family have an extensive history working in the Nat/Adams County school system. The history extends back over 60 years. I can tell you that these same folks gave their hearts, souls, and in many cases personal funds to those students.

Even now I still hear comments about how tough my grandmother was, how she spanked ("beat" is probably a better term) students when they did NOT perform at expected levels. She didn't play, even I was afraid of her at school.

This current performance level is breaking the hearts of the folks that over the years have toiled in the school system trying to give this current generation of kids a future.

There is no greater contributor to our great society than a teacher.

I know this for a fact, my family is filled with them!!!

Posted by USMBOY (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First off (freedom42), I don't think I was talking to you. Maybe if you were my English instructor, i would care about my grammatical errors while chatting with you. And (peacerulz), I would have rather went to NHS and made my grades and learned something, than to pay for grades at these private schools. Like i said, read my user name. (firered), next time capitalize the "W" in wow. I wonder which one of you all has an English degree. I don't, but next year i will have one in Computer Engineering, and you all are invited to my graduation........LOL

Posted by SayItRight (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Nothing says you have to stay in Natchez. I'm glad we didn't. Our kids went to a public school in a great community where they could walk or ride their bikes to school without fear. I've seen too many people try to make a difference in Natchez only to be outnumbered by those who don't care. I don't regret moving away one tiny bit. I hate to see what is happening, but I know I couldn't have made a difference if I had stayed. I would have only been angry and frustrated and watched my children watch me being angry and frustrated.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

USMBOY, i never meant to direct anything towards you and i'm quite sure that there are great students that have attended the school. sorry if we hurt your feelings. it was'nt personal in any way.

Great going on that Engineering Degree!!! You'll make WAY decent $$$$$$$.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

aesa, just read your post. i like what you said about the teachers that taught to make a better future being really saddened to see the way thing's are. good post!!!

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ijohnson...I'm with you! Now that the Cowboys are out for this year I'm going for the Packers but then again look at the Giants! They have ELI! How is your sister handling the loss? Like us huh...I know it hurts. Had they stopped sacking Romo the other day we would have WON!!

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:44 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

That's a good one! LMAO!

Posted by Negotiator (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I can see why the public schools are not keeping up with the private schools in English; the students do not speak English.

Say what you will; it is what it is.

Sometimes the truth hurts.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, it is what it is . . . Romo and Jessica, that is!!!!

((aesa)) looks like you've got their number . . . I bet there's going to be a WHOLE LOT of sacking going on, now that the Cowboys are out of it!!!! *lol* I wonder who's playing who????

Posted by MsKitty39120 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Freedom your right i just said the other day you never hear anything out of HolyFam school i am white and thinking about sending my grandson there

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

nd.com....my bad!

sorry!

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You're Ok aesa....I still thought it was funny.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OOps, I wonder if I'm next!?!?!?!?! Is so, my bad, too!!

Posted by sayitloud (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WE'RE ALL BAD!!!

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

USMBOY, when you post on here you are talking to all of us!
Anyway, no harm intended by (almost) everyone here. And yeah, I do have a minor in English Lit. - loved it! Majored in Library Science. But you can't make any money at either of them - so I studied landscaping instead. So what did aesa say that was so funny it had to be deleted? Gee I go eat supper and miss all the fun.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 7:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

something kinda graphic about Romo's personal life. lol

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG, there are snowflakes in the clouds for tommorows forecast.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it says snow at 8:00 a.m. cool!

Posted by RM (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think that MLK is looking down on us and feeling like he wasted a lot of time. There are more black men in jail than in college. This lack of respect for education means more failing and continued involvement of youth in crime and drugs than in studying, graduating, going to college and making a mark on society. I heard that half the females at Natchez High were pregnant last year. I assume there was a high abortion rate, as I don't recall that many deliveries reported in the paper. I don't see any brightness in the future. No wonder the private schools are so popular

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

RM, I head on American Family Radio today. I think it was the granddaughter of King, said that abortion has killed more black people in a year than the KKK has done in its entire lifetime.

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

peace where did you see this forecast? Mine only says rain rain and more rain!

Posted by sacw (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I have two children that attended NHS. One of them graduated in 2005 and the other is attending there now. Neither one of them has had any problems with teachers or with learning. I also keep in touch with their teachers regularly. I myself also graduated from South Natchez. I have met with some of the teachers there and they are very nice.

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Snow for Natchez?...Hell must really be freezing over.

Posted by Calm_Cool_Collected (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let me start off by saying, I attend Natchez High, and for the record, I can read the comments above and the one's that will be posted after this message. I am actually very exceptionally in English as well as every other subject that I take at that school.

Now, as I have finished reading these opinions stated above, and while I do agree with what some of you are saying, I cannot help but disagree with those who think so little of my peers and me. I will be the first to admit that some of my fellow classmates’ don’t have the slightest care of what goes on. But I also that no one has ever asked me, how do I feel about the state of the place were I come for education. And then you wonder why it seems we don’t care, ever thought about the fact that we are the one's who feel left out in the cold!

It’s amazing to me, how people can judge and don’t have any knowledge of what goes on other than what they read on this website.

So, before anyone decides that they want to bash my school and judge across town from their private schools, you really need to wake up. And as I have stated before, nothing will be accomplished if the people that these statistics are affecting are not included in the solution of the problems that occur in the community.

Peace.

Posted by c_8512 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Calm_Cool_Collected, you may be very proud that you are one of the few exceptions to the norm at NHS. I commend you for your efforts. I have personally seen many of the things that have been mentioned in these comments, and know that they are sad, but true. I was a teacher there at NHS a few years ago, and I know that there are some students who very much care about becoming a better person and giving back to the community.
However, a major reason that the Natchez-Adams School District is having trouble keeping teachers is a lack of participation from the parents, and add to that a lack of support from the school administrators, and then mix in students who know how to "manipulate the system." This adds up to uncontrolable chaos.
I felt that I needed to respond to your post above, but I decided that a personal email from an adult to a high school student, even through the Natchez Democrat system, would be inappropriate, so I have told you this because I do know that the ones who truly suffer are you and your peers. Please continue to succeed.

Posted by betterthanthis (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"I am actually very exceptionally in English as well as every other subject that I take at that school."

I think that this statement proves the point that the public educational system is faulty. However, it is my opinion that it is not only the public schools that are not achieving appropriate academic goals, but the private schools as well, especially trinity. Mississippi needs a major educational overhaul.

Posted by genlee (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sending a kid to the public (government) schools in this town should be considered the worst form of child abuse. The whole concept of our government educating children is absurd.

Posted by grrbrts (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

There must be special attention given to the students so that everyone ACTUALLY understands the means to follow, such as; formulas, rules, etc., and not skip those that don't, even if it is mere one (student). And, of course, the parents should play a big role in it as well (homework).

Posted by gmc (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of you people need a life and use e-mail to just visit.
Most of your good teachers have gone to Franklin County to teach and said that they think that it is heaven compared to the Natchez School System.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 10:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

www.accuweather.com

it does'nt say snow at 8:00 a.m. like it did earlier but the snowflakes are still there for tomorrow.

Posted by fedup21 (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 11:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dr. Loftin should be very ashamed to post such results in a public newspaper. He seems as if he is trying to make the children look bad by posting this high failure rate. He is the leader. Students are only as good as the leader. Loftin is not from the Ntz area, so he gives a toot about either of the kids in the system. When he posts numbers like this before addressing the problem, he is only letting the public know before it goes public at the end of the year. Parents should ship his butt back where ever he is from. Loftin is a doctor alright. Dr of Nothingness.

Posted by fay2ntz (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Okay, how many of you send your children to private schools just so that they will not "mix" with certain type of people. Let's be real here, the problem with the schools here in Natchez is just a reflection of what is happening in the community. Parents aren't being held responsible for their children and children feel that they can do as they please, especially with the way the law is here regarding children. The community needs to step up and stop pointing the fingers and start being supportive of each other. When a crime happens don't pretend like we don't know who did it, tell!! When a neighbor needs a helping hand, help!! The point is this, if you are a taxpayer you have already paid for an education for your children and it is up to you to make sure that they receive it. Also, please don't think that those of us who have children attending public school don't know about the things that happen in those private schools. If you recall in an article a few months stated that the private schools keep what problems they are having private while the public school's problems get printed. Whether you have a child in private or public school, parents need to step up and teach your child at home. The teacher is suppose to teach your child and you as your child's role model and support system are to reinforce those skills. If parents can't do that then you will see scores worse than this.

Posted by JunkyardDawg (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 1:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

LOL, some of these comments make me wonder just how long folks in Natchez have been failing English; spelling errors, grammar errors, and yall want to bash the kids for failing English...what exactly do yall think English is about anyway? Come back and criticize them when you've mastered English, lol.

Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 1:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

When I was in school, we had Home Economics and Industrial Arts, commonly known as "Shop" offered in addition to academics. Many of my friends who graduated from high school went on to pusue a career where the skills learned in the above mentioned disciplines played a major roll in their life's choice. College is not for everyone and everyone is not interested in having a college education. I feel our schools are not meeting the demands of our students. I believe that after 9th grade, students should have the option of pursuing one of two avenues of high school. One being that of academics with aspirations of pursuing a college education upon graduation. The second choice should be one of skills and the service sector. There are many jobs that adults do today that did not warrent them having a college degree. The students who are more motivated in the skills and service sector should have the opportunity to pusue such an avenue with that type of education from grades 10-12. I know many successful and productive adults who are well accomplished mechanics, secretaries, business people, etc. who did not attend college. I believe that the high drop out rate in high school is largely due to the fact that some students just are not willing or motivated enough to pursue the upper level academic requirements that are forced upon them. If a student is not interested in courses like Trigonometry, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, etc. they do one (or several) of four things: 1. Become very unmotivated 2. create classroom disruptions, 3. academic failure, 4. eventually drop out of school. When many drop out of school, they become 10 times more likely to end up in legal trouble. If our schools had the non-academic choice offered as an option, I truly believe that many of the "lost" would find success pursuing that avenue which means that they will stand a better chance of having a learned "trade" by the time they reach the job market (at least enough to where they can get a job where they can continue on the job training). So much of the emphasis in education is geared towards college requirements and college is simply not for everyone and not everyone has the desire for or simply cannot attend college. And that does not mean that they cannot become productive citizens in society. The whole education system (nationally speaking) needs a major overhaul. And this "No Child Left Behind" is just a bunch of bureaucratic crap.

Posted by Calm_Cool_Collected (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, I should have done what my first mind told me, wait until tomorrow to make a comment, because unlike last night, I am calm and thinking correctly. Excuse my error.

Peace.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ABSOLUTELY AWESOME COMMENT ((NtzMom55))!!!!! My thoughts, exactly, but I don't think I could have said it so concisely.

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Calm_Cool_Collected, your opinion is just as valuable as any other on this comment section. I appreciate the fact that you were trying to offer a different prospective.

Keep posting and have a good day.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey, ((Calm_Cool_Collected)) no need to apologize -- join the crowd. I'm guilty of it, too. However, that's the beauty of Freedom of Speech . . . being able to say what you feel. Some subjects, like this one, generate passionate discussions which bring out the good, the bad and the ugly.

Hopefully, when the dust clears, we will have all learned something enlightening that we didn't know before the discussion began.

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

NtzMom55, I think you hit the nail square on the head.

When I was in high school, we had a CoOp (sp) program, If I remember, the students had their core classes in the morning and worked in the afternoon.

In my old age, I have decided that a year of Home Economics and Shop should be required for all students. Life is more than the 3Rs.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Good morning, ((gemccull))!!! What's cooking today???

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Hello, ijohnson.

I made a beef stew yesterday. This morning, I am going to add some thickening for a beef pot pie.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cable's not!

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Snow's cooking!

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If it gets deep enough, I will have snow ice cream.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

they have been putting posts up backwards lately. like just now. it messes things up.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

you sure will. neat huh?

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think classes in entrepreneurship should be an option for students who are highly skilled and motivated to own their own business but do not want to attend college.

A modern-day 4-H Club that encourages self-sufficiency through entrepreneurship should be established. Call it the "4-E Club" (with 4 points of Entrepreneurship).

This "4-E Club" will also symbolize our "future employers" because if corporate America keeps outsourcing all of our jobs overseas, there will be a lot of unemployed folks looking for somewhere to go.

Posted by peacerulz (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by notfromnatchez (anonymous) on January 18, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Snow for Natchez?...Hell must really be freezing over.

IT IS!

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Global Warming??

Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I see it! It is wonderful - for a little while anyway! LOL

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Uuuuhhhh, beef stew sounds real good with all this talk of snow and frost in the air!!!! I made Christina Hall's Taco Soup a couple of days ago and it turned out really good. I used ground turkey instead of ground beef; used a can of tomato sauce and chicken broth instead of tomato juice (because i didn't have any tomato juice in the pantry); and I crumbled up some Tostitos tortilla chips into the bowl, one at a time, so they wouldn't get too soggy. The chips added a lot of texture and that "crunch" I like. And, the soup was better yesterday than it was the day before.

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The wife has been making Taco Soup for several years now. It is not one of my favorite dishes but it does offer a change. I prefer a veggie and beef soup.

But gumbo, chili, red beans and rice, onion soup, clam chowder, etc would be good today.

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Yes, Taco Soup does offer a change to our usual favorites. Some good seafood gumbo would hit the spot for me today, too.

I'm thinking about preparing Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya tomorrow. I think we'll finish off the soup today and give the kitchen a rest!

Posted by ijohnson (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I've got a lot of work on my plate today!!! So, I'm going to sign off and get to cracking!

Y'all go out and have a great day and fabulous weekend!!!

Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 10:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Adams Cty needs a magnet school to get the kids that want to learn more than gang signs out of that environment.

Sad but expected situation will only get worse.

Posted by NtzCitizen (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I think all these comments are nice. I lived in Natchez (borned and raised) and now live in Madison County. I think the one thing our schools need are concerned citizens like the ones that are criticizing the schools to volenteer and support them. Leaving comments on here will not solve the situation(s). Put your time and entergy where your keyboard is!

Posted by goodwitch2008 (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 12:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I've read the majority of the comments to this article, before they got completely off topic about the snow (which looks amazing in my neighborhood, I made a snowman...).

This article is aiming toward the 9th and 10th grade English classes not the upperclassmen. Though I do feel like American education has steadily become boring and not intellectually stimulating.

Many of the comments you people made are insanely discriminatory, it seems you are only talking about a certain type of person and you don't even know the real story. I feel like they focus on the negatives about our school than all of the positive things to go on there. I feel like you are looking at them from the outside and making stereotypical judgments, in which I am not surprised since you SEEM to distance yourself from other types of people anyway might be wrong but a lot of these comments seem biased. But I do agree that some of the underclassmen students only think about music, boys, girls, socializing, hair and clothes, and having fun instead of the fact that they are in the last four years of their school career.

I am senior at Natchez High, I take English 4 (12th grade English) I have a 3.0+, and I rarely make below a B. I am a member of 4-H, as well as Skills USA and The National Honor Society. I have never gotten in trouble at school or any where else because my PARENTS do CARE about me and they raised me correctly, as well as my two sisters. I read for pleasure almost everyday (I have been going to the Armstrong library since I was in kindergarten) and I write my own novels, many which I have published Online. Not to mention I am an artist, a musician and a singer, and a dancer. When I leave next year I plan on attending MUW and majoring in Psychology, Theater, and Music because I love all three. I am a fan of almost every type of music except Rap and Emo

Oh also, I noticed some comments about Co-op . We still have that course, its' in the VoTech (Fallin Career and Technology Center) where I take classes. I take Computer Systems Technology there and I have learned a lot that will help me in the future. My teacher , if you know her, is Mrs. Burts. We also still have Home Economics (now called Nutrition Wellness), it's not mandatory but it is a very nice elective, my sister who wants to be a chef is taking it. I took Theater Arts in 10th grade and I have taken French and Spanish.
Oh also none of the teachers are afraid of the students, that is just ridiculous.

What I'm trying to say is sure the educational system, and society as a whole seems to be decaying at a rapid pace but what are you yourselves trying to do to help it? It seems all you want to do is make ignorant snap judgments and put people down. How about coming together as a community and trying to change things?

I took great offense to some of the things said here and as a successful and unique student and person I don't like being called illiterate, small-minded, or badly raised

Posted by aesa (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Great comments goodwitch2008. You are a fine example of the greatest that the Nat School System can produce.

What a meaningful way to end this dialogue!

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

goodwitch2008, my comments have been trying to address the issue of those students who are not achieving. Something has to be done.

Yes, some of us focus on the negative. I think you understand that. When you get a test back from the teacher, do you only look at what you passed or do you look at what you missed?

Posted by alias (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The NASD is in a state of emergency. As a community, we are in dire need of high-paying jobs. When industries tour our city, they consider the state of local education. Therefore, if public education fails, we all fail.

There is an air of disrespect in our schools. Students are openly using profane language,openly defiant and disrespectful. They don't learn this behavior at school alone--it comes from home.

The school administration & school board must revamp the system. Very few students are detained in the lower grades. Some teachers are told to not fail students, despite student deficiencies. There are students who are "promoted" from 5th grade to 7th grade. How does this benefit the student or schools? The majority of 7th grade population does not read on grade level.

State test don't lie & are fairly good indicators of student capabilities. Therefore, when middle school & high school administrators post the numbers, those numbers point to a district problem & not just a school problem.

Earlier this year the superintendent stated that he would present a plan for the restructuring of the middle school. Where is it? Our superintendent is virtually invisible to the community, impersonable, and quite frankly seemingly unconcerned.

Several "consultants" have been brought into the districts to "assist" garnering HUGE FEES. One consultant was in the district for approximately 2-3 years and no written plan was ever given as to what the school should do to see improvement. This year JBHM was brought in to "assist" the school but no plan has been brought to the table. A school improvement coordinator (a created position) was hired this year to coordinate efforts. What written plan has she created? What guidance has she provided? Oh, she has hired other consultants.

The school district has a number of teachers who are greatly concerned about the growth, progress, and achievement of students. They work tirelessly to prepare students who are often more concerned about the latest gossip, shoes, clothing, and videos than about their own education. Yet, we need concerned parents to make sure students are at school to learn and not just to have somewhere to go during the day hours.

I am sending out an S.O.S. Save Our Students and Schools. You cannot sit in your home, send your children to private and parochial schools, and think you are safe from the ills of public schools. If we don't educate our students, the crime in Ntchz will continue to escalate. No education, no jobs----these same people will be in your homes taking your stuff. We have an obligation to promote the growth of Ntchez--of children (OUR FUTURE). Will you answer the S.O.S. or will you ignore the call? Your FUTURE is at stake.
By the Way, I am a proud graduate of the NASD public school system.

Posted by PUPPY2543 (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 8 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OLDSCHOOL IT IS LIKE IT WAS. BACK THEN 90% OF WHITES ATTENDED SOUTH NATCHEZ & 90% OF BLACKS ATTENDED NORTH NATCHEZ. IN TODAY'S SOCIETY IT'S THE SAME GAME JUST DIFFERENT NAMES. 90% OF WHITES ATTEND PRIVATE SCHOOLS & 90% BLACKS ATTEND NTZ HIGH.

Posted by NtzMom55 (anonymous) on January 19, 2008 at 9:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Can someone in the education system please let us know why it is that, for a county of only 32,000 citizens, we have to have elementary schools and a middle school with over 700 students in each? And why should kids have to ride buses for hours each day to get to these schools (which in some cases can be as many as 25 miles away from the child's home? Elementary schools should be much smaller than want they are here. You would think that we live in a city of 500,000 with the size of elementary schools we have. Concordia Parish has at least 4 times as many elementary schools than Adams county and there are at least 10,000 people less in Concordia Parish. Dr. Edney / Dr. Morris, what is the reason for all of this?

Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on January 19, 2008 at 10:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Let's think! It could be called "Piled Higher and Deeper". You know, we have a PHD so we know more than the average person.

Posted by Lilsister (anonymous) on January 20, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

The educational system will not get any better until we start utilizing our own Natchez people in positions that can make a difference. It bewilders me that no one is complaining about the condition that Dr. Morris and his crew have gotten the district in lately. We have consistently dropped under his administration, yet the board gives him a raise. Am I missing something?
I also do not understand why Dr. Loftin took so long to realize that many teachers were not doing re-teaching. Am I correct in thinking that there are at least five administrators at NHS? Good administrators take the time to visit the classrooms, check lesson plans, and grade books. They offer constructive criticism when needed, and some even demonstrate to the teachers how to teach the lessons. Good administrators offer incentives to both teachers and students for jobs well done. I guess I am old school, but I can remember when people were dying to send their children to the NASD. Where did we go wrong?

Posted by destiny (anonymous) on January 23, 2008 at 2:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

***buttercup26***

((gemccull)) my meme ((destiny)) was just a blabbing about wanting "snow ice cream" is that like something from the early days?? (no offense) She was tickled pink thinking she was going to have some "snow ice cream" I wish I knew what the heck it was!! lol

Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on January 24, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

buttercup, I haven't seen anything in the Democrat about any fires in Natchez, and the records say no calls to the fire dept. Why do you think they wouldn't report a fire?

Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on January 24, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why not split the high school into just 2 grades at one school (9th and 10th) and 2 grades at another (11th & 12th)...just like the rest of the schools in Natchez. That might help solve a few problems...to have less students at each school, and with them being closer in the same age groups. Let them form rap or singing groups to help learn their lessons. Find some ways to help them enjoy learning and appreciate being able to read. Some of them may have problems comprehending what they read. Most kids have a desire to be singers, dancers, or actors...but some of them don't realize what hard work that takes, and that they have to be able to read and write to become stars.

Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on January 25, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

((Peace007)) you know i haven't even thought about that... haven't even looked really... don't know why it hasn't been put in the paper... The rooms in my child hood home (full of black smut) and all THOSE PICTURES of me and my siblings growing up damaged (can't repair them) EVEN THE FIRE REPORT FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (you know you have to have one of those that way red cross want think you are lying? We learned all that too while going threw this) IT ALL SEEMED REAL TO ME!! SO WHY THE PAPER DID NOT PUT IT IN THE FOR THE RECORD SECTION IS BEYOND ME! hey, ask them... I'm sure they will have an answer for ya...

Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on January 25, 2008 at 1:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Aw, buttercup, I just wanted to be nosey and find out who you are and where yall lived, lol. Don't mind me.