FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 9, 2013

Melanie N. Roussell, Appointee for Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Housing and Urban Development

Melanie N. Roussell is the National Press Secretary for the Democratic National Committee, a position she has held since August 2011. From February 2009 to July 2011, she was Press Secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Prior to that, Ms. Roussell served as Spokesperson for the Presidential Inaugural Committee and Southern Regional Communications Director for Obama for America. From February 2007 to July 2008, she was Communications Director for the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives under Chairman John Conyers, Jr. She was honored as one of Florida A&M University’s “40 under 40” Young Alumni in 2011. Ms. Roussell received a B.S. in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University and an M.A. in Public Communication from American University.

President Obama said, “I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country. I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead.”

Melanie Roussell is the daughter of former Macon County School Superintendent Dr. Norward Roussell and is a 1997 Graduate of Booker T. Washington High School, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Earlier this month a thought provoking message was delivered to the Opelika Community. Some of those in attendance were:

Mrs. Lawanda Gray, Dr. Camille Floyd, and Dr. Melvin Lowe, III. The luncheon was held at the Opelika Marroitt Grand National.

UnCommon Leadership was the message delivered by Tony Dungy.

Tony Dungy is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Quiet Strength and the Mentor Leader. He led the Indianapolis Colts to Super Bowl victory in 2007, their first such win for an African American head coach. Dungy established another NFL first by becoming the first head coach to lead his teams to the playoffs for ten consecutive years. He retired from coaching in 2009 and now serves as a studio analyst for NBC's Football Night in America. He and his wife, Lauren are the parents of seven children.

It was an event like none other. The students' presentations to include their Jazz Band and Show Choir were just outstanding. The ambiance was nothing less that professional with ongoing conversations relative to the growth the community has undertaken from having participated in a book reading. Yes, the community was greatly involved with this initiative; the act of being UnCommon.

Leadership as many of us know is many things, but it should never be compromised nor UnCommon. The entitled book: UnCommon steers us in many directions. It discusses Humility and Stewardship, Respect for Authority, Mentoring, Education and Athletics, Careers, Work, and Money, Alcohol and Drug, Being versus Doing, Role Model, Eternal Self-Esteem, Faith, and Significance.

All of these subtopics are appropriately addressed in the book. Each one can help all of us as educators become better stewards of public education. The book is clearly discussing the things that we can do internally and collectively to not be common but uncommon. Our boys and girls in Macon County deserve to have UnCommon experiences K-12. It starts in two places; our hearts and in our leadership practices. Let's meet these challenges together... and with an UnCommon disposition.

Please join us at George Washington Carver Elementary School on Friday, March 22 between the hours of 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM, in Room 201, for our Clothes Closet Giveaway.

This event is brought to you by Mrs. Terri Holcey, Parental Involvement Coordinator, Mrs. Tiffany Williams, HIPPY Coordinator, and Dr. Jacqueline Brooks, Superintendent.

Please join us to help serve those in our community!

The Macon County Forestry Planning Committee held its 1st Annual Macon County Water Festival on Monday, March 18th, at Tuskegee Public School.  It was on that day that Malcolm Moss, fourth grader at Tuskegee Public School, learned his logo design was featured on this year's Water Festival t-shirt. 

When he arrived to school on Monday, Malcolm was surprised to see his classmates wearing bright red t-shirts featuring his logo design.  Best of all, he celebrated when he learned his art work earned his teacher, Mrs. Haygood, and him a $50.00 prize each. Dr. James Reese, chairman of the committee, presented both of them with checks and a bag filled with goodies.

 Malcolm's design, shown below, was featured on all the t-shirts worn by all Water Festival participants, including program volunteers and students and teachers at Deborah Cannon Wolfe, Notasulga High, Tuskegee Public Schools ,

We all are very proud of Malcolm and cannot wait to see designs for next year's Water Festival!

Come out and enjoy a day in the outdoors with Auburn University’s chapter of the Wildlife Society. Students will spend the day learning about the great outdoors by participating in hands on learning experiences. This will be structured much like a one day camp that is designed to educate children and introduce them to some new and exciting things in the outdoors. Students won’t want to miss this action packed day! Sign your child up online today, registration is quick and easy! Just go to

https://sites.auburn.edu/academic/sfws/development/SitePages/Wildlife_Youth_Day_Registration.aspx

3^rd-5^th Graders

Saturday, March 23^rd

8:30 a.m. -3:00 p.m.

Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest

Many Americans use as much water as approximately 900 Kenyans.  water resources in the U.S. are shrinking. In the last five years, there have been water shortages in almost every part of the country, including the worst drought in at least 25 years, which hit 80 percent of the country's farmland in 2012. Even worse, the damaged land won't fully recover this year, and at least 36 states are expecting local, regional, or statewide water shortages, even without drought.

The human body is 70% water.  Many of our favorite recreational activities involve water.  Many of our major cities thrived because of their access to water.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that nearly 40 percent of household water is used for watering lawns and gardens.

Students from Deborah Cannon Wolfe Elementary School participated in a World of Water Festival, sponsored by Tuskegee Public Elementary, to raise the level of awareness of one of our most precious natural resources - clean, fresh water.

Destiny Powell and Dashayla Robinson were runners-up in the t-shirt contest

Deborah Cannon Wolfe Fifth Grader Jarius Burton competed recently in the Tiger Rock Spring National Taekwondo Championships, held in Tuscaloosa, Al. 

Students from Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia met and competed in several categories including Traditional Form, Point Sparring, Musical Form, Xtreme Form, Team Musical Form, Team Xtreme Form, Board Breaking, Agility Course and much more!

When the dust settled Jarius finished 3rd in his category! 

Congratulations Jarius!

If your family is experiencing financial hardship due to an unstable housing situation, your children may qualify for certain rights as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act.  For an overview of your rights under the McKinney-Vento Act, please view one (or both) of the attached flyers.

Deborah Cannon Wolfe Elementary School celebrated Dr. Seuss’s Birthday on March 1, 2013.  Students began the day by listening to a live webinar from Dr. Tommy Bice, State Superintendent of Education, reading “Oh the Places You’ll Go.” Teachers decorated their doors with images of Dr. Seuss.  In addition, students ate healthy snacks, listened to guest readers and created Dr. Seuss hats to promote reading.

D.C. Wolfe Elementary School supports the American Heart Association by hosting its annual basketball game. The Hoops defeated the Heart in the game, the students raised over 100.00 dollars in effort to fight heart related diseases !!