Lafayette County School District

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP Congratulations to Kaden Fassinger for being crowned the 2025 Auto Service Technology State Champion. Kaden's instructor is Stuart Meagrow. Sullivan Martin was runner-up in the state HVAC-R competition. Sullivan's instructor is Josh Thweatt.

Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes! Yesterday may have been Paraprofessional Appreciation Day, but at Lafayette, we know that every single day, our incredible paraprofessionals make a difference! Even though the weather threw us off, we can’t let the moment pass without recognizing their dedication, hard work, and the essential role they play in supporting our students and schools. Today, we also celebrate our school librarians for School Librarian Appreciation Day! From fostering a love of reading to guiding students in research and technology, our librarians are the heart of our schools. Join us in showing appreciation for these incredible team members who keep Lafayette Anchored to Excellence!

STUDENT REGISTRATION It's almost time for early registration for our returning students. The registration portal will open on Monday, April 7th. Look for your registration code in the mail or email. https://www.gocommodores.org/page/student-registration

A Special Guest from Israel! Our 6th-grade social studies class had the opportunity to welcome Mr. Jake Clemons, who joined all the way from Israel! Mr. Clemons shared fascinating insights about the climate and culture of Israel, bringing the country’s rich history and traditions to life. Our students asked questions and explored cultural artifacts, making for an engaging learning experience. A huge thank you to Mr. Clemons for sharing his time and knowledge with us.

UPDATE: LITTLE SHOP OF HORROR OPENING NIGHT The Show for tonight has been canceled due to a tornado watch in the area. For anyone who bought tickets for tonight, you can use your tickets on Friday or Saturday's show.

Celebrating World Autism Awareness Day Yesterday, we proudly recognized World Autism Awareness Day across our schools where our students and staff showed their support through activities, learning, and wearing blue! Let's continue to celebrate the unique strengths of every individual and promote acceptance, understanding, and kindness every day.

CONGRATULATIONS to our LCSD Employees of the Month for March!

CONGRATULATIONS COLORGUARD PROGRAMS! We are proud of our LHS and LMS Colorguard teams for their outstanding performances at the Mississippi Indoor Association State Finals! LHS Colorguard placed 2nd in Class SRA, taking home the Silver Medal. LMS Colorguard placed 3rd, earning the Bronze Medal in their division. Congratulations to all the performers, coaches, and supporters!

4th Grade QUEST Students Explore Owl Ecosystems! Our 4th grade QUEST students recently researched owls and their vital role in the environment. Through hands-on learning, students dissected owl pellets, uncovering clues about owl diets, habitats, and the food web. This engaging activity highlighted the importance of owls in controlling rodent populations and maintaining ecological balance. Thanks to funding from the district’s LEFE grant, students had the opportunity to explore these incredible birds in depth. To culminate their research, students welcomed Michael Shanks, an experienced general falconer, who shared his expertise on birds of prey. He introduced students to various species of falcons and hawks, discussing their habitats, behaviors, and crucial roles in the ecosystem.

A Special Author Visit at Lafayette Elementary! We were honored to welcome local author and illustrator Brandall Laughlin to Lafayette Elementary School, where she shared her delightful book, "Do Butterflies Make Butter?"—a story inspired by her son, Walker. Mrs. Slone's art classes took this experience to the next level by creating projects based on the book’s illustrations. Students enjoyed spotting the hidden tractor on each page while exploring the global journeys of butterflies. They connected their Van Gogh-inspired mural in our school hallway to the book’s sunflower artwork. This collaboration was a heartfelt tribute to Brandall, her son, and the wonderful story she has shared with the world. And after much discussion, our students officially decided—yes, butterflies DO make butter! Thank you, Brandall Laughlin, for your visit!

COMMODORE MEDIA GROUP CONTINUES PATH TO EXCELLENCE This past Friday, March 28, 2025, Lafayette students participated in the Mississippi Scholastics Press Association convention and competition. CMG students took classes and also taught a session on starting a live stream for schools. At the awards ceremony, students listened to keynote speaker Matt Laubahn from WTVA Weather. Out of numerous competing schools (1A-7A and private schools), Lafayette continues to score superior as Best of Mississippi finalists, including individual honors for several students. Awards: Allie Drewrey - All-State Student Journalist (selected to a panel of 12) Zac Whitley - Best Podcast On-Air Talent, Finalist Cameron Jone - Best Live-Stream On-Air Talent, Finalist Allie Drewrey - Best Feature Photo, Finalist Ava May - Best News Photo, Finalist Morgan Thompson - Best Sports Infographic, Finalist Nick Thompson - Best of Show Candid Photo, Finalist Allie Drewrey - Best of Show Cand Photo, Finalist Commodore Media - Best Social Media Presence, Finalist WLHS11 - Overall Broadcast Rating, Excellent CMG Productions - Best Live-Stream Program, Finalist CMG Productions - Overall Broadcast Streaming Rating, Excellent Sports Talk - Overall Podcast Raitng, Superior Sports Talk - Best Podcast Sports Segment, Finalist

MDE Press Release JACKSON, Miss. – Six 7th-12th grade Mississippi teachers have been named 2024-25 state-level finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). The PAEMST program is the nation’s highest honor for teachers of mathematics, science, technology, engineering and computer science education. ----- Virginia Cornelius of Lafayette High School in the Lafayette County School District who has taught for 35 years. Personal philosophy on teaching: “I believe all students can advance mathematically, and I won’t stop doing everything possible until they believe it too.” Read the full press release here: https://mdek12.org/communications/2025/03/31/six-7th-12th-grade-teachers-named-state-level-finalists-for-2024-25-presidential-awards-for-excellence-in-mathematics-and-science-teaching/

LMS Student Council’s Inspiring Spring Leadership Trip Our LMS Student Council recently embarked on a leadership trip to Jackson, MS! This journey was filled with history, inspiration, and fun as students explored key landmarks and learned from remarkable figures. Mississippi Museums – We had the honor of hearing from Hezekiah Watkins, the youngest Freedom Rider imprisoned at just 13 years old, sharing his powerful story of resilience and courage. Students explored fascinating exhibits showcasing the state’s diverse wildlife and ecosystems at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science. Brent’s Diner – A delicious lunch at this historic spot, famous for its appearance in The Help. Mississippi Governor's Mansion – A guided tour gave us insight into the state’s rich political history. DEFY Trampoline Park & Shaggy’s on the Rez – Leadership and learning wrapped up with team bonding and fun! This trip was an incredible experience, reinforcing the values of leadership, history, and community.

LUES- March Madness Students across the building participated in our version of March Madness with activities designed to challenge minds and spark friendly competition. In the library, students faced off in a Connect Four tournament. Brackets were filled, and the competition was fierce!

CONGRATULATIONS LHS CHOIRS! Congratulations to the LHS Choirs, who took home ALL SUPERIOR awards at yesterday’s State Performance Assessment! LHS Mixed Choir received “superior” for sight reading with a PERFECT score and “superior” for performance. LHS Mixed Sextet received “superior” for performance. LHS Women’s Octet received “superior” for performance.

Spring is in full bloom! With just 9 weeks left, our students are diving into learning and making every moment count. The finish line is in sight, and we're so proud of their hard work and growth this year!

Lafayette Theatre presents their Spring musical: "Little Shop of Horrors!" April 3rd, 4th, and 5th at 7 pm in the Lafayette Middle School Auditorium Pre-sale tickets are $10, or at the door for $15. Space is limited. Purchase from a theatre student or Mr. Codling.

LMS Perfect Attendance Winners Lafayette Middle School is proud to recognize our Perfect Attendance Drawing Winners for the week of March 17 - March 21! Your commitment to showing up every day and staying Anchored to Excellence sets a great example for your peers. Last week's winners: Dakota Cooper-Griggs (7), Allie Atkinson (7), Carson Babb (8), and Ella Smith (8) Keep up the great work, and thank you for making attendance a priority!

Author Visit Inspires Young Writers Our 3rd–6th grade QUEST students had the opportunity to meet Mr. Jimmy Reed, a local author and retired English professor, during a special visit. Mr. Reed captivated students with readings from his newly published children's collection and shared insights into the creative writing process. He also highlighted the power of alliteration in storytelling, encouraging students to explore their own literary creativity. With a rich background in writing, Mr. Reed is also the author of "The JayBird Tales" and "The Complete Reed."

FUTURE DORES! We want YOU for our kids' camp April 21-24! #TheFuture x #TheCounty