News

The Middle School at Parkside has made  significant progress in improving student achievement and will be removed from the state’s Priority Schools List, Gov. Rick Snyder said today.  A total of 30 schools were removed from the list following improvements in academics for students. The schools moving off of the Priority List have met annual goals in reading and math, and tested at least 95 percent of their students. Significant measurable progress has been made, showcasing the ability of programs to quickly improve student performance. “To ensure the children of Michigan are on a path to success, we must work to be certain the schools we are sending them to provide the education they need to compete for the jobs of the future,” Snyder said. “The 30 schools being taken off of the priority list have made progress and I applaud them for putting in the hard work and making improvements in the classroom.”  In a message to staff, Jackson Public Schools Superintendent Jeff Beal said this was news worthy of celebration and he congratulated a "very hard-working group of teachers, support staff and leaders at the Middle School at Parkside". “The turnaround showed by these 30 schools is a…

The Jackson County Chamber of Commerce presented their annual awards at the 107th Annual Meeting tonight at Jackson College Potter Center.  Winner of the Albert Earle Ambassador of the Year is Jenifer Robinson, Flagstar Bank.  The Ambassador of the Year is chosen by secret vote of the Ambassador membership.  The Brick Award for substantial facade and/or facilities upgrades was presented to Pleasant Lake Pub and owners Rick and Terri Zdanowitz.  The Brick Award for new construction presented to Mike Archer and Paul Anast with Mortgage 1/Midstate Title.  The new "Reach HIRE" award was presented to Industrial Steel Treating and Doug Scott and Jordan Levy.  The Athena Award, sponsored by Lloyd Ganton Retirement Centers was presented to Janice Fairly.  The final award of the evening, the Small Business Person of the Year was presented to Garry Applegate of Applegate Heating & Air Conditioning. Garry Applegate and Janice Fairly will be among the guests on the 15th Anniversary episode of The Bart Hawley Show on Friday, January 29.