Canton

Public School District

The Canton Public School District's 21st Century Community Learning Centers program has begun.

The after-school program offers tutorial help in reading and math, aids student achievement on the MCT and Subject Area Tests, offers independent character education, library time, recreation, and other academic and cultural enrichment opportunities.

The program will be held from 3:30-6 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at Canton Elementary School, Canton School of Arts & Sciences, McNeal Elementary School and Canton High School.

Snacks and transportation will be provided for all participants.

For more information, call (601) 859-4110.

Christ Covenant

School

Christ Covenant School will hold a kick-off event at 10:40 a.m. today, as it takes its place as a Madison County host and model school for Project Fit America.

The school's staff and students, along with representatives from sponsor BlueCross BlueShield and Mississippi Braves mascot "Trusty," will dedicate the project launch with the kids demonstrating PFA ideals.

Formed in 1990, PFA is a nonprofit organization that donates all-inclusive fitness programs to schools, creating new opportunities or children to be active, fit and healthy as part of the everyday school experience.

Programming includes state-of-the-art outdoor fitness equipment, indoor mobile fitness equipment, a dynamic curriculum, and in-class instruction on subjects such as smoking intervention, nutrition and understanding your body. PFA also provides support to the school for two years, with training on site.

Madison

Middle School

Madison Middle School will host its annual Veterans Day ceremony from 9-10 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the school's gymnasium.

The ceremony will honor members of the Armed Forces, military veterans, and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

The Madison Middle School band and choir will perform patriotic music. The Mississippi National Guard Color Guard will also participate in the ceremony.

The guest speaker will be Brig. Gen. Catherine S. Lutz, Air National Guard Assistant to the Chief Nurse of the Air Force.

All veterans and current members of the Armed Forces are invited to attend the event as guests of the faculty, staff and students.

The school is off Mississippi 463, approximately two miles west of I-55 at the red light by the Madison Fire Department, and across from the Fairfield subdivision. For more information, call (601) 605-4171.

Velma Jackson

High School

John Banks, a science teacher at Velma Jackson High School, was one of several hundred participants attending the Mississippi Science Teachers Association convention held Oct. 25-27 in Jackson.

The MSTA convention annually provides opportunities for science teachers at all levels, as well as others dedicated to improving science education in Mississippi.

Banks made two presentations at the convention. The first was "More Tools for Your DI Toolbox," which presented three ideas - deBono's six thinking hats, drama "dance" with symbol prompts, and six word exercise - to improve critical thinking, class participation and creativity.

The second presentation was "The 1-2-3's of Caterpillars," which discussed results of Banks' Earthwatch Expedition to Arizona and how caterpillars can be used to promote scientific interest and inquiry and an understanding of natural selection and the effects of climate change.