The holiday season is quickly approaching which means the first semester of school for the 2009-2010 school year is coming to a end. I am excited to report that the first semester of school was very productive at South Panola High School. The faculty/staff prepared extremely hard each week, engaged students in meaningful work, and worked as a team to provide the best educational opportunities for ALL students.

The students have responded to these challenges in the classroom and out. I am extremely proud of our student body and staff for their efforts over the course of 18 weeks. There have been many positives, but there are two specific areas that I would like to share.

Over the Thanksgiving Holidays, we learned that the Mississippi Department of Education rated SPHS as a “High Performing” school. This rating was based on Subject Area Test scores, graduation rate, and growth. I am extremely excited about our rating and what this means for our school, school district, and community.

The hard work of the faculty/staff and student body has truly paid off.  This rating highlights the willingness of the staff at SPHS to go “above and beyond” so that all students have the opportunity to be successful.

I know that SPHS is moving in the right direction, and I look for bigger and better things in the years to come. The student body has tremendous school spirit and represents the school in a positive light. We have a wonderful group of professionals at this school and other schools across the South Panola School District. We are extremely fortunate to have such great schools in this school district.  Congratulations to SPHS!

I would like to congratulate our football team and the coaching staff on their wonderful season. Once again, the SP Tigers won a state championship in Jackson.  This was the FIRST EVER 6A state championship, and the football team represented the Batesville community very well.  Snowfall during the game only added to the excitement of the night. All the athletes’ hard work and preparation from the summer workouts and practice each week have produced another title for all to enjoy.      

Thank you to the parents, community members, and business leaders for their support of academics and athletics. Without you, it is difficult to provide the BEST educational and extracurricular opportunities for our students. South Panola High School is very fortunate to have the unwavering support of our great community.  Thanks for all that you do to make SPHS better.  From SPHS, we wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday season.  

Go Tigers!