The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) voted today to temporarily adjust the statewide accountability system so A-F grades for districts and schools and federally required school improvement designations can be determined for the 2021-22 school year. On March 17, 2022, the SBE invited public comment on its initial proposal to temporarily adjust the accountability system for 2021-22. After reviewing public feedback, the MDE revised the proposal and presented it on April 12, 2022, to the Commission on School Accreditation (CSA), which approved the revised proposal. Mississippi’s A-F accountability system and school improvement identification system consider several indicators, including how well students perform on state tests, students’ growth on tests from year to year and whether students are graduating within four years. Federal law requires all states to assess students annually in English Language Arts and mathematics in grades 3-8 and once during high school. Adjustments are needed for the 2021-22 school year because the cancellation of assessments in spring 2020 resulted in some students lacking scores to calculate growth. The SBE’s action today will adjust the accountability system for 2021-22 as follows: Growth will be measured on high school-level assessments from the most recent year students were previously tested. For example, current 10th graders who take Algebra I and English II assessments this year will have their scores compared to their 7th grade assessment in 2018-19 to measure progress. 2021-22 high school end-of-course assessment results will be included, regardless of the student’s grade level. Typically, scores for students in grades 7-9 who take high school level assessments are not included in the current accountability year and are “banked” for accountability until they reach 10th grade. Any banked scores from previous years that would have been included in the current year’s accountability calculation will be excluded. Scores for students in grades 7-9 who take high school-level assessments this year will also be banked, in accordance with existing accountability rules. The U.S. Department of Education (USED) granted waivers to states from federal accountability requirements for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 school years because the pandemic disrupted schooling and state assessments. The USED now requires all states to resume their accountability systems and identification of schools for support and improvement for the 2021-22 school year but is allowing states to request a one-year addendum plan to adjust for missing data. “Our goal for resuming accountability is to get the most complete and accurate measure of student learning during the pandemic,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “The temporary adjustments will enable educators, families, communities and policymakers to understand and evaluate how schools and districts have performed since the onset of COVID-19.” Mississippi resumed statewide testing in the 2020-21 school year, with a 97% participation rate. The high participation rate provided MDE with a valid measure of student performance in 2020-21 and a way to measure student growth for most students between 2020-21 and 2021-22. To address federally required school improvement classifications, the MDE’s addendum request will propose to change the frequency for identifying schools in need of improvement and the timelines and criteria for schools to exit school improvement status. The MDE worked closely with the state’s Accountability Task Force, Technical Advisory Committee and the Center for Assessment to review and analyze assessment data to ensure the addendum proposal is technically sound and presents an accurate picture of the academic performance of Mississippi students. The SBE invites public comment on today’s vote to establish the temporary rule to implement the accountability adjustment. For more information on the temporary rule and instructions for submitting comments, visit mdek12.org/PN/APA. The deadline to submit comments is May 17, 2022. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

After a 5o-year career in public education, State Superintendent of Education Carey Wright, Ed.D., will retire on June 30, 2022. The Mississippi State Board of Education (SBE) appointed Dr. Wright to be the state’s top pre-K-12 education official in 2013. Her tenure in Mississippi has been longer and marked by more student gains than any state superintendent of education since the Education Reform Act of 1982 established the SBE. Nationally, Dr. Wright is one of the longest-serving state education chiefs of the 21st century. Under Dr. Wright’s leadership, the state initiated successful education reforms that made Mississippi a national leader for improving student achievement. Mississippi’s Quality Counts grade for education improved from an F to a C-, its ranking climbed from 50th to 35th and the graduation rate rose from 75.5% to 88.4% – higher than the national average. Among students with disabilities, the graduation rate more than doubled from 23.2% to 59.9%. Mississippi 4th graders in 2013 were reading more than one full grade level behind the national average on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). By 2019, Mississippi 4th graders scored higher than the nation’s public school average in mathematics, tied the nation in reading and ranked No. 1 in the nation for making the largest score gains. The rapid progress of Mississippi students earned the state Quality Counts’ No. 2 ranking in the nation for improvement in 2019, 2020 and 2021. “Dr. Wright never wavered from her belief that Mississippi students were just as capable as students in any other state,” said Rosemary Aultman, SBE chair. “She eliminated the culture of low expectations and proved our students could achieve at the highest levels. States throughout the country now turn to Mississippi to learn about our successful strategies for raising student achievement. Dr. Wright’s leadership has improved educational opportunities and outcomes for a generation of Mississippi students.” A passionate advocate for early childhood education, Dr. Wright implemented Mississippi’s first publicly funded Early Learning Collaborative program, which earned the state recognition from the National Institute for Early Education Research as one of only six states in the nation that meet all 10 quality standards for early childhood education. The program has grown from 11 collaboratives serving 1,700 children in 2014 to 30 collaboratives that will serve 6,000 children in 2022-23. Dr. Wright spearheaded initiatives that have increased literacy skills in pre-K through the grade 3, pushed student achievement on the NAEP to improve at a faster rate than most other states, and nearly doubled the Advancement Placement participation and success rate. Pre-pandemic, Mississippi students achieved significant annual gains in English Language Arts and Mathematics proficiency. Though the pandemic disrupted learning throughout the country, Mississippi’s assessment scores did not fall as much as they did in other states. Dr. Wright’s most recent innovation includes the Mississippi Connects program, which provided every student in the state with a computer device to learn at school or at home. The program includes enhanced internet connectivity, high-quality digital content, professional development for teachers and administrators, digital learning coaches and the launch of telehealth/teletherapy in schools starting in the 2022-23 school year. She also implemented the Mississippi Teacher Residency, which provides scholarships and mentors to aspiring teachers, and the Performance-Based Licensure program, which helps Mississippi teachers with provisional licenses become fully licensed. The next teacher residency cohort will provide graduate degree scholarships for 200 aspiring elementary and special education teachers. Throughout her tenure as Mississippi's state education chief, Dr. Wright has been an active member and leader of numerous national and state boards and organizations that advance the field of education. Notably, the U.S. Secretary of Education appointed her in 2019 to the National Assessment Governing Board, which sets policy for NAEP, the Nation’s Report Card. In 2022, Dr. Wright earned the Mississippi Top 50 Most Influential Leaders Award. “Leading education in Mississippi has been the honor and privilege of my life. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity I have been given to work with dedicated educators and leaders across Mississippi, the entire Mississippi Department of Education team and committed State Board members and legislative leaders. Together we have worked to make a difference in the lives of children.” Dr. Wright said. “Most especially, I am incredibly proud of Mississippi students. There is no limit to what they can accomplish.” The SBE will announce plans for Dr. Wright’s transition and its search for a new state superintendent of education once the details have been finalized. Find all MDE news releases at mdek12.org/news.

By Kara Kimbrough Elvis has been on my mind this week. But not for the normal reasons, like hearing one of his songs or seeing footage online of a press conference or concert at which the Mississippi native displayed his enduring charisma and talent. No, I thought about his penchant for consuming a pound of fried bacon each day. I was reminded of this after reading bacon prices have risen nearly 19 percent, higher than almost any other supermarket item. Tupelo’s favorite son was wealthy, but I wonder if Elvis would have changed his diet as prices of his favorite food group soar. Here's how I gained the inside scoop on Elvis’ penchant for bacon. An interview several years ago with his long-time cook, Mary Jenkins, revealed lots of unknown tidbits. For starters, he started his day with fried (not baked) biscuits, four scrambled eggs, freshly squeezed orange juice and a pile of bacon. Any leftover bacon was used to make one of his favorite sandwiches, a thick BLT. Since his death in 1977, the strangeness of Presley’s palate has become legendary. Only Jenkins, someone he considered a dear friend, knew the truth. ''It's not true that Elvis liked burnt bacon sandwiches,” she said. “He just liked his bacon very crisp. And he didn’t eat at much as everyone said. But he did like his food fried and real rich.” While Presley stuck to simple fare, it hit me that so many delicious dishes contain bacon. I dearly love the thin (and thick cut) slices of pork. Besides Elvis’ BLT, some of my favorites made with bacon include: • Baked beans topped with plenty of bacon slices • Bacon-wrapped Little Smokies rolled in brown sugar and cooked to a crispy goodness • Wedge salad highlighted with thick chunks of bacon • Plain burgers transformed with crispy bacon I could go on, but you get the point. Almost everything is better with bacon. And, many favorite dishes are taken to another level with the addition of bacon grease. In fact, a dish I made for Easter dinner last Sunday, deluxe hash brown bake, contains a quarter-cup of the not-so-healthy ingredient. Bacon grease is essential to moistening the dish loaded with several meats, cheeses and potatoes. Plus, the taste is other-worldly; yes, it’s that good. So there you have it. I won’t be giving up bacon any time soon. Bacon freezes well, so I’m stocking up now and placing several packs in the freezer in anticipation of even higher prices. I saved one package from the freezer to make a New Orleans-inspired dish given to me by a Gulf Coast friend. Grillades (pronounced “gree-odds) and grits is filled with “everything good,” including a half cup of bacon grease. It looks like a complicated recipe but comes together quickly. However, it needs to simmer at least two hours before serving. Bacon grease may not be the healthiest ingredient, but as my Coast friend says, “You only live once; might as well enjoy great food while we’re here.” I agree. Gulf Coast Grillades and Grits Ingredients for grillades: 4 pounds beef top round steak, cut into 3-inch strips, ½ inch wide 1-1/2 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s seasoning (more to taste) 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup bacon grease 1-1/2 cup onion, chopped 3 ribs celery chopped 1-1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups beef stock (I use low sodium) 14.5-ounce can chopped tomatoes 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped Salt (to taste) 1/2 cup green onions, chopped Ingredients for grits: 4 cups water 2 teaspoons salt 1 cup old-fashioned grits 4 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon ground mustard 1-1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/4 cup heavy cream Salt and pepper (to taste) To make grillades: Put the creole seasoning and flour in a large plastic bag. Add the strips of meat into the bag and shake, making sure to coat every piece with the flour mixture. In a large Dutch oven on low heat, add the bacon grease. Working in batches, brown the meat. Do not crowd the pan. Set the browned meat aside. Add onion, celery, bell pepper and garlic to the Dutch oven. Sauté until tender, about four minutes. Next, add the beef stock, tomatoes, beef stock, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Bring everything to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer. Simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Add the thyme and taste to adjust the seasonings. Simmer another 15 minutes, take it off the heat and then stir in the parsley. Garnish with a sprinkle of green onions. Salt and pepper to taste. To make cheese grits: Bring the water to a boil. Add the salt. Stir in the grits. Reduce heat to low and let the grits simmer for 20 minutes or until they are soft. Add the butter and ground mustard. Stir in the cheese. When it is fully incorporated, add the Worcestershire sauce and heavy cream. Taste and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt and black pepper if desired. To serve: add a serving of grits to each plate and top with grillades. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Canopy Children’s Solutions (Canopy), Mississippi’s largest nonprofit provider of behavioral health, educational and social service solutions, will be planting blue pinwheel gardens this April to promote Child Abuse Awareness Month. These pinwheels serve as a visual reminder that everyone in a community must work together to end child abuse. Canopy’s South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center (SMCAC) collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to streamline the process of identifying, investigating and prosecuting cases of child abuse. By working with law enforcement, Child Protection Services, mental and/or medical health professionals, and many other organizations, Canopy provides a wide range of services to help children and their families overcome extraordinary challenges and to thrive. “In order for children to have the trauma that they experienced resolved, they need people like Canopy’s South Mississippi Child Advocacy team to help them along the way,” says Sabreniee Wright, Director of Canopy’s SMCAC. “There is hope when children have access to therapeutic resources and can begin healing.” This April, Canopy encourages everyone to do their part in protecting our children. Mississippi's 24-hour child abuse hotline (1-800-222-8000) allows any person who suspects a child is being abused to file an anonymous report. If you see something, say something. The physical, mental and emotional well-being of abused children relies on adults who will advocate for their safety and healing. Wright continues, “Our team goes above and beyond every day to make sure children and their families are getting the justice they deserve. Helping children is a passion.” For more information on Canopy Children’s Solutions, visit their website at: mycanopy.org.

By Bob Garver I have probably seen more trailers for “Morbius” than any other movie in my entire life. I definitely remember seeing a few before the 2020 lockdown, but it isn’t just a matter of how far back they go. No, I’ve seen them pretty consistently since then, from theaters reopening in August 2020 to last week when I realized that I was seeing one for the last time – the end of an era. The movie kept getting pushed back, far enough to be out of reach but never so far that it warranted taking the trailer out of rotation. Clearly someone wanted to dump this movie on just the right unremarkable weekend where it would be free of decent competition. To be fair, the strategy paid off, as the movie opened to $39 million this past weekend, but that success came at the expense of letting people know that the movie had no confidence from the studio. Having finally seen “Morbius,” I can say with confidence that the lack of confidence was entirely justified. Jared Leto stars as Michael Morbius, a brilliant, eccentric doctor obsessed with curing his own rare blood disease. He’s so brilliant that he wins a Nobel Prize, but so eccentric that he tells off the committee in a scene that should have been a highlight of this movie, but bafflingly happens offscreen. He knows the solution involves splicing his human DNA with that of vampire bats, it will just require a moral flexibility and an expensive trip to Costa Rica. Michael only has the former, luckily rich childhood friend and fellow sufferer Milo (Matt Smith) is more than happy to help with the latter, provided Michael shares whatever cure he finds. Michael’s experiments on himself yield mixed results. On one hand, he’s cured. In fact, he’s better than cured, he develops superpowers like bat wings and bat radar (unlike that other bat-themed action hero with no superpowers, bat-like or otherwise). On the other, he becomes a homicidal vampire that needs to drink blood in ever-shrinking increments of time. He even nearly attacks his partner and girlfriend Martine (Adria Arjona). He’s perfectly fine with being locked away so he can’t hurt anyone, but Milo gets ahold of the treatment and becomes a vampire with far fewer hang-ups about killing people or torturing the audience with out-of-place dancing. The only thing that can stop vampire Milo is vampire Michael, but with two vampires on the loose, the world is in twice as much danger. Of course, nobody is really seeing “Morbius” just for Morbius. The real attraction here is finding out how he fits in with Spider-Man. The “Living Vampire” is in the rogues gallery of the box office juggernaut, residing in the same universe as Venom. The trailers have given away that that some of Doctor Strange’s universe-tampering has allowed Vulture (Michael Keaton, speaking of that other bat-themed action hero) to switch universes and propose a team-up with Morbius. And… that’s about it. Do not see this movie expecting to see more than the bare minimum of Vulture, anything more than references to Venom, or anything at all with Spider-Man. You will be very disappointed. Actually, you’ll probably be disappointed with “Morbius” no matter what you expect. The characters aren’t memorable, the action scenes are incomprehensible, and the movie’s color scheme is one of the most drab I’ve ever seen. I think someone wanted the movie to look like it had been drained of all life by a vampire. Mission accomplished, I guess, but isn’t there a way to get a macabre tone without making the movie so ugly and miserable? I mentioned earlier seeing a trailer for “Morbius” in August of 2020 when theaters started reopening. More than anything, this movie reminds me of “The New Mutants,” released around that time: lifeless, pathetic, and only tangentially related to the Marvel property we really want to see. Grade: D. “Morbius” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, some frightening images and brief strong language. Its running time is 104 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.

By Kara Kimbrough Before extolling the delights of Hancock County in the second installment of “Top reasons to visit the Mississippi Gulf Coast," I’d be remiss if I left out the charming cities of Long Beach and Pass Christian. They’re worth a stop on U.S. 90 as you make your way to the Bay Bridge to enter Bay St. Louis. I’m probably going to receive irate emails from the other cities about this next statement, but here goes: in my opinion, the two neighboring cities of Long Beach and “The Pass,” as locals calls it, offer some of the best beach views on the Gulf Coast. Sweeping vistas of sand, sky and water along this scenic stretch of highway are mesmerizing, especially when a vibrant blue sky transforms the gulf to a similar hue. Stopping in for a Coast-inspired meal on the patio of Long Beach’s Harbor View Café is the perfect way to enjoy the view. Or, drive a little further to The Pass and relax on Shaggy’s open-air deck with panoramic water views and the guarantee of a delicious meal. Ready for more sight-seeing and dining? Travel over the mammoth Bay Bridge and your blood pressure is sure to plummet as you view the shimmering bay on either side. The bridge was rebuilt post-Katrina at 85 feet above the bay at its highest point, so the view is absolutely stunning. If you’re feeling adventuresome, park your car at either end and journey across the bridge in the enclosed walking/cycling trail. Once on dry land, take a left onto scenic Beach Boulevard. On one side of the quaint street is the bay fronted with a new harbor. On the other are family-owned restaurants serving fresh seafood and other creative dishes. Here are just a few of my favorite restaurants and things to see and do in the Bay: 1. One of my favorite restaurants is Trapani’s. A local favorite for decades, everything on the menu is delicious, but my favorite menu item is the overflowing shrimp po’boy. 2. Next door is 200 North Beach. It’s a cozy, family-oriented space offering pasta dishes, steaks and seafood. 3. Holding court on the corner of The Pearl, a new boutique hotel at the corner of Main Street and Beach Boulevard is The Thorny Oyster. It’s a spacious, well-appointed restaurant offering fresh, local, coastal fare, creative seafood and classic dishes and desserts prepared with a modern twist. Grilled redfish at The Thorny Peach-blueberry crisp topped with Oyster in Bay St. Louis is a meal vanilla bean ice cream was the I won't soon forget. perfect end to a memorable meal at The Thorny Oyster. It’s rare that I dream about a dessert item, but that’s exactly what happened last summer after I dined here. I ended my meal with one of the best berry crisps I’ve ever tasted. Fresh peach and blueberry fruit filling was topped with a delicious crunchy, buttery rolled oats and toasted nuts topping that nearly outshone the filling. A scoop of homemade vanilla bean ice cream took it to new heights. I'm long overdue for a repeat of this sublime experience. 4. Don't leave town without a visit to charming Old Town. Located a few blocks from the bay, the tree-lined streets are filled with the historic Depot museum, locally-owned shops and restaurants and a scenic park with a duck pond. 5. No trip to The Bay would be complete without a stop by the Angel Tree. It’s located on the beach side near the new harbor. I've witnessed emotional responses from tourists from around the world to the oak tree carved into the likeness of angels, complete with hovering wings and piercing eyes. When Katrina’s eye passed over Bay St. Louis, three people and a small dog were riding out the storm in a nearby building. As the storm surge increased, they fled from the building and climbed an oak tree. The centuries-old oak served as the group's lifeline for four hours. Thanks to the tree’s sturdy branches, they were unharmed when the water subsided. The remains of the oak were moved to the beachfront and secured in concrete just a few hundred feet from where it saved the lives of three people and a dog. A chainsaw artist created beauty from ashes, expertly carving an angel and large birds keeping watch on the limbs. Stop by the Angel Tree for a photo, prayer or a glimpse of a life-saving tree. Like a visit to The Bay, it's an experience you’ll never forget. Kara Kimbrough is a food and travel writer from Mississippi. Email her at kkprco@yahoo.com.

Come out and join the fun at the Bolton Library. There will be different games to play and prizes for the winners. For more information, call 601- 866-4247 or stop by the Annie T. Jeffers Library, 111 W. Madison Street, Bolton MS. website: www.JHLibrary.org Please wear a mask and observe social distancing for safety. Library hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The library is closed on Fridays and Sundays.

The Town of Bolton will have a special election on May 3, 2022, for the position of Alderman at Large. The position was most recently held by Williams Woods, who has resigned. Residents who are interested in qualifying to run for the position are encouraged to stop by city hall to pick up qualifying papers. You can also submit qualifying papers online at the Secretary of State website. The deadline to submit qualifying papers is 5 pm on April 14, 2022.

Governor Tate Reeves today signed House Bill 531, which gives Mississippians the largest tax cut in the state’s history. The bill will return over $500 million to Mississippi taxpayers, eliminate the existing 4% tax bracket, and lower the existing 5% tax bracket to 4%. With this new law, Mississippi will have the 5th lowest marginal tax rate in the nation, among states with an income tax. For multiple years, Mississippi has consistently out-performed revenue expectations by billions of dollars. Mississippi’s strong economy has fueled tremendous growth and Governor Reeves is committed to ensuring that taxpayers receive their fair share of this revenue windfall. “There are some whose first inclination would be to immediately spend this money and grow government,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “These individuals have a wish list of pet projects that seems to be miles long and ever-growing. I believe we should help Mississippians bring home the bacon before another dime is spent on government pork. We will do this by giving back the money they gave the government.” Governor Reeves reiterated his continued commitment to completely eliminating the state’s income tax, stating: “When we act boldly, we can make tremendous strides on behalf of Mississippians. I hope that our legislators will continue to act boldly and join me in advocating for the full elimination of Mississippi’s income tax.” The tax cut represents a major pay raise for hard-working Mississippians. This will be substantive relief for folks who are struggling with the ongoing crises of rising inflation and gas prices caused by the Biden Administration’s failed economic policies. Governor Reeves signed the bill during a press conference. The full press conference can be viewed here.

Congratulations to Maddy Maw on her Upcoming signing!! We are so excited to see the next chapter for #23!

This is a great opportunity available to students in the Clinton/Bolton Community. We are looking for 3 elementary, 3 middle, and 3 high school scholars to take advantage of this program. Space is limited so this will be a first-come-first-served process. Please review the attachment for information on who to contact.

The Mississippi Book Festival is thrilled to announce its first speaker for this year’s event on Saturday, August 20. Acclaimed author Alice Walker will attend the festival in Jackson. This year commemorates the 40th anniversary release of Walker’s award-winning novel, The Color Purple. The novel was first published in 1982 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction the following year. Walker was the first African American woman to win the award. "We are thrilled to have Alice Walker back in the city where she once lived and the place where her daughter was born,” said Executive Director Ellen Daniels. “Her appearance will be a homecoming of sorts for her and we are honored that book lovers and festival-goers will have the opportunity to share in that moment." The festival will announce other attending authors in the coming weeks. After two years of hosting the book festival virtually, the Mississippi Book Festival will return to the State Capitol grounds in Downtown Jackson this August. This will be its first in-person festival since 2019. “After the past two years, we are all looking forward to being back together in person to celebrate literature at this year’s festival,” said Daniels. This year marks the eighth anniversary of Mississippi’s “literary lawn party”. For more information, visit msbookfestival.com. You can also connect with the Mississippi Book Festival on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.