Senate Resolution 14

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING CASEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL UPON THEIR RECEIPT OF THE ARTS IN EDUCATION AWARD CATEGORY OF THE 2006 GOVERNOR'S AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE ARTS.

WHEREAS, Casey Elementary School in Jackson, Mississippi, is the recipient of the Arts in Education Award Category of the 2006 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts; and

WHEREAS, each of the 320 students at Casey Elementary School is involved in exploring the arts, including visual art, music, drama, dance and creative writing; and

WHEREAS, in the early 1990s, a group of parents became the driving force behind bringing the arts to the school. Volunteer teachers and parents were responsible for teaching the arts in the classroom. A full-time teacher was hired in 1999, and now teaching the regular curriculum through the arts is the school's primary focus; and

WHEREAS, Casey was instrumental in obtaining a $150,000.00 Ford Foundation Grant that enabled more than 2,500 students across the district to experience learning through the arts; and

WHEREAS, the school has been nationally recognized as a Blue Ribbon School and was recently recognized by the Mississippi Arts Commission as one of four Model Schools in the state; and

WHEREAS, the Jackson Public School District has provided funding for a full-time visual arts teacher and an arts facilitator because of the effect the arts have had on the school; and

WHEREAS, since becoming a Whole School in 1999, Casey has moved from a Level 3 to a Level 5, the highest level of accreditation by the state; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize the outstanding achievement by this public elementary school and its students, teachers, administrators and parents, which have brought honor to their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Casey Elementary School in Jackson, Mississippi, upon their receipt of the Arts in the Education Award Category of the 2006 Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts, and extend to Casey's students, teachers, administrators and parents the best wishes of the Senate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the Principal of Casey Elementary School and be forwarded to the Board of Trustees of the Jackson Municipal Separate School District and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.