Central Alternative School Principal Betty Cade finds it rewarding to serve her students.

&uot;I really like giving of myself to the students that I serve and sharing with them,&uot; she said.

Cade was selected by the Natchez-Adams County School Board last month to serve as Central School’s new principal.

She replaces Millicent Mayo, who is now the public relations director for the district.

Cade is a graduate of Sadie B. Thompson School in Natchez and until recently had been working for the Concordia Parish School District.

&uot;I just love the students that I deal with,&uot;&160;Cade said.

Cade lives in Natchez and is looking forward to working for its school district.

&uot;I felt like I wanted to come home and give some time to my own community,&uot; said Cade of her new position.

Cade received her bachelors and masters degrees from Alcorn State University in health and physical education.

She also earned a second masters in guidance and counseling, 30 additional graduate hours in education and an administration and supervision certification.

She also spent five years directing the alternative school program in Concordia Parish.

An alternative school is designed to meet the needs of students who have academic or discipline problems.

Cade gladly accepts the challenge of working with these students.

&uot;Together with the staff and the community&160;I&160;fell like we can develop programs to meet the needs of all our children,&uot; Cade said.

For the upcoming school year, the school will focus even more on character education. This will include classes like conflict resolution, anger management and self-esteem.

Cade also wants to start a mentoring program at Central School.

Cade directed a similar program at the alternative school in Concordia Parish with much success.

The program will assign central students to a positive role-model in the community.

Cade thinks community and staff involvement is key to insuring the success of her students.

&uot;I just want us to be one big family all shooting for the same goal and that is to make our students the best they can be,&uot;&160;Cade said. &uot;