Poorly worded, confusing and seemingly always changing labels from the State of Mississippi have once again clouded some good news in the Natchez public schools.

Two of the district’s schools — two that many would say face the most challenges — performed well enough on state tests and other growth measures last spring to move from one academic label to the next.

The state assigns one of seven labels to schools, so moving from one label to the next is cause for celebration.

Natchez High and Robert Lewis Middle schools are now labeled “academic watch” instead of “low performing” or “at risk of failing.”

All three labels sound dire — in fact of the state’s seven labels more sound bad than good — but “watch” is certainly better than the other two.

It would be foolish of us all to think that any school could jump from “at risk of failing” to “star.”

So instead, this community needs to celebrate success in the district’s highest grades.

The move is truly cause to celebrate, however, more work is needed to keep the momentum headed up.

We all must commit to stop pointing fingers, making negative remarks and promoting funding cuts if we aren’t willing to roll up our sleeves and make a difference in the education of a public school child first.

Our public schools suffer most from a lack of community support and involvement, and until that changes permanently, the schools won’t.