Dear Editor:

I would like to share some of the excitement I feel with you.

My family moved to Jenkins County in 1989. I lived in Statesboro while attending Georgia Southern. The first time I crossed the railroad overpass on Highway 25 and Millen came into view, I swore by the grace of God I will never live here. The town was small, the people quiet, and the school was like a postcard from the past. I felt like I had driven into a Norman Rockwell picture. I could not believe a football team could play in a stadium so small.

As I would soon learn, God’s plan for my life would lead directly back to this small town. I soon married a Jenkins County girl, in a small Jenkins County church, set just off a small Jenkins County road. No matter how hard I tried, God led me back here. Shortly after our honeymoon, my job moved us to Kennesaw. Thank you Lord, we are out of Millen. Even with big city life and all the events that happen around Atlanta, this place was what I longed for.

We would get off work in Atlanta at 5 p.m. on Friday, fight rush hour traffic on I-285, I-20 and the roads from Wrens to Waynesboro and drive as fast as we could to spend the weekend with my wife’s family on a small home place, off a small dirt road, in this small county.

I am now the pastor of Magnolia Baptist Church in Perkins. We have lived on Barney Avenue for five years now. The door post in my kids’ room has the pencil marks where my wife marks the progress of their height. We sit on the porch and listen to the quietness. I have come to love the people of this town. I like this Norman Rockwell painting. I am proud to raise my little girls in a town rich in history as well as southern family values. I look forward to smelling the freshly cut grass in the newly renovated stadium, to hear the aluminum shake when the Eagles score. To share the pride with the men on the field. To watch Maggie and Mollie wave their blue and white pom poms. We are a blessed city and a blessed county. Blessed to have Coach Chuck Conely and his family here. Blessed to have a school system that cares about its children. Blessed to have a small, quiet town like a postcard from the past. Thank you God for your perfect plan.

Go Eagles!

The Rev. Mike Dann

Dear Editor:

The new school year is just around the corner and the anticipation is already starting to build around the high school. Many of our students are working hard this summer to improve their academic and athletic skills. The high school athletic facilities are undergoing a big improvement and we have added several new faculty members to our staff. We ask for parents’ support as we all seek the best for their children. The faculty and staff are looking forward to a wonderful school year!

Each year the faculty and staff evaluate many areas of our school to determine how we can improve. This letter is to inform you of certain changes to our procedures and the student handbook that will affect all students at Jenkins County High School.

Listed are some of the changes:

1) Absences of students for any reason will be a strong focus all year. New state laws will now allow the school to be much more proactive to ensure compulsory attendance laws are obeyed.

2) Freshman Academy has been added to help students with high school transition, study skills, and vocational decision-making.

3) Student cannot sign themselves out of school unless the school has prior written notice personally delivered to the school by the parent or guardian.

4) Students who are assigned ISS must go to Mr.Paulk when they arrive at school and not enter the lunchroom until 8:15.

5) Dress Code changes for all students include: No cotton sweats, sweat suits, wind suits, pants hanging below waist level and/or low cut tops that expose under garments or skin. No hats, headbands, or sunglasses will be allowed at school. Violators will have to change clothes and/or have these items taken up. Items will be returned to a parent/ guardian at the adults’ convenience. Failure to adhere will be considered a discipline issue. (Please keep this in mind as you purchase school clothes.)

6) Hallway Passports will be added to the student handbook. Students will be required to have their handbook at all times. The passports will be the written excuse needed to be out of class for any reason. Failure to adhere will be a discipline issue.

7) Homeroom Advisement will be added for every student. This is to ensure that a qualified teacher can advise all students in making decisions about their course of study, academic classes, and keep the students on track for graduation.

All of these changes are to ensure that students will focus on the number one concern at our school: student learning! Please be assured we will be reasonable and consistent in our enforcement of these new policies, but we do expect the students to adhere to the changes. Thank you for the opportunity to serve the people of Jenkins County, we all look forward to a great school year.

Harold Roach, Principal

Jenkins County High School