news,
cu l
storytelling & re, ir tu
“Oklahoma did it, Missouri did it, other states are now doing it. I think we’re the third domino to fall. I really do,” see page 12.
TALK JXN
— Mike Espy on Medicaid expansion, Aug. 12
@jxnfreepress
@jacksonfreepress
@jxnfreepress
ce eren rev
When Schools Close Down in Jackson by Kayode Crown
August 19 - September 1, 2020 • jfp.ms
6
Decision To Close Schools In 2018, the Jackson Public School District’s leadership decided to close George Elementary and three other elementary schools in the city: Brown, French and Woodville Heights. The reasons included aging buildings, school architecture design and a decline in student enrollment. The district chose to shutter schools with 200 students or fewer that needed costly infrastructure repairs. “Although enrollment at Woodville Heights Elementary was over 300 students, (a) study revealed the school needs some expensive improvements,” Jackson Public School District Executive Director of Public Engagement Sherwin Johnson said in a statement. “The school was built in 1969, and repair and renovation costs were projected at close to $4 million.” “With the corridors located outside of the main building, the school’s design presents some unique challenges. Students must go outside each time they transfer from class-to-class and to the cafeteria.
Kayode Crown
Q
uinyetta Kinner was sad when George Elementary School on Hunter Street in Jackson closed in 2018. She attended the school from pre-kindergarten until the 5th grade and has a lot of fond memories of friendships she formed that have lasted to this day. “I wish they reopen it,” she told the Jackson Free Press. Kinner shared what the school meant to her while admitting that it was not in the best structural shape. “I learned a lot about myself. People picked on me, and I found out that I am stronger than I thought. I learned a lot. It was a great environment there,” she said. But the building was in bad shape, she added, “like the painting slipping off the walls. It really was that bad.” Kinner will resume this fall at Hinds Community College, studying for an associate degree in psychology to become a social worker. Earlier this year, she graduated from Jim Hill High School in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Quinyetta Kinner lives near George Elementary School,1020 Hunter St., where she was a kindergarten and elementary school student. The school closed in 2018.
The school’s students now attend Bates, Oak Forest and Timberlawn Elementary Schools.”
JXN Fantasy Football Team Names
In 2020, the school district decided to close another set of schools. In January the JPS board voted unanimously to close
Siwell Road Middle School in south Jackson, moving the students to Cardozo Middle School. Hardy Middle School
The coming of fall usually brings the start of football season along with it. However, with so many conferences cancelling or postponing their 2020 seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities to watch Mississippi teams play are fewer than ever. Nevertheless, football fans can still have some fun pondering fantasy football names to give their teams for when sports safely return to normalcy. Here are some Jackson-themed team name ideas that we came up with that you are free to consider.
Eudora Welty Wombats
LeFleur’s Bluff Bears
Lakeland Leopards
Governor’s Mansion Gators
Medgar Evers Manta Rays
Alamo Alpacas
Sun ‘N’ Sand Serpents
Smith Robertson Rhinos
Convention Capybaras
Ag Museum Stags
Old Capitol Caterpillars
Farish Falcons
