Walking the Halls
By KEVIN McCUGH, Jasper High School Principal

I am pleased that we are off to a successful beginning of the 2007 - 2008 school year at Jasper High School. Our teachers and staff have worked diligently in preparation for the beginning of school. We will continue to work throughout the year to ensure that students have the opportunity to receive the educational opportunities they deserve.

We have newly tiled floors on both levels of the main building. The main entrance floor has also been replaced with a unique tile arrangement to improve the appearance of the building. Our current enrollment is 802 students as of Thursday, Sept. 6. That number is an increase from our first day enrollment of 757 on Monday, Aug. 27.

We have many new teachers on the high school campus. Our team of campus administrators, returning teachers, and support staff has been tremendous in assisting the new teachers during this transition period. The new teachers and their assignments are as follows: Tracy Adair, Social Studies / Athletics; Joe Baker, Career Technology / Head Girls Basketball Coach; Vivian Breaux, Career Technology; David Burt (from Rowe), Social Studies / Athletics; Chris Coats, Physical Education / Athletics; Kenneth Dumond, Assistant Band Director; Brandon Hargers, Physical Education / Athletics; Roy Harper, Math; Stacie Hanson, Personal Aide Life Skills; Nan Kittell, Speech; Wesley Lee, Social Studies; Minnie McMillan, Art; Casey Murphy, Head Girls Volleyball Coach; Erin Parma, Assistant Band Director; Jeff Parma, Head Band Director; Jason Smith, Physical Education / Athletics; LaTricia Sutton, Math. New members of our Paraprofessional/ Support Staff are Starla Davis, nurse and Sarah Hinson, receptionist.

We have numerous activities that are in full swing on the high school campus. Our band students, twirlers, flags, football players, cheerleaders, volleyball, cross country, and the support personnel for all of these groups of students are actively involved in their seasons.

Our UIL academic sponsors are in the process of organizing students for competitions that will occur throughout the year. We have also received positive feedback from students, teachers, and various community members on the presentations last week by the Power Team, a group that provides a positive motivational message for students, with an emphasis on students demanding excellence from themselves and other people in their daily lives.

I encourage all of you to be supportive of the students, faculty, and staff of Jasper High School, and we welcome your partnership in helping the students of Jasper High School achieve success.