House Resolution 9

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE MAGNOLIA HEIGHTS SCHOOL FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS AN APPLE DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL FOR ITS UNIQUE IMPLEMENTATION OF APPLE TECHNOLOGY.

WHEREAS, Magnolia Heights School in Senatobia, Mississippi, has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2014-2016 for its unique implementation of Apple technology in its 1:1 Laptop Learning Initiative for Grades 7-12 and its use of iPads for Grades Pre-K-4; and

WHEREAS, Magnolia Heights School received the coveted distinction because the dedicated and hard-working faculty and staff recognized the changing and ever-increasing role that technology plays in the lives of the students and successfully implemented new and creative methods of teaching and learning that incorporated thoughtful and innovative implementations of technology; and

WHEREAS, for a school to receive the prestigious and incredible designation as an Apple Distinguished School, the Magnolia Heights School program, which was already rigorous and challenging, was required to meet certain criteria in innovation, leadership and educational excellence, as well as demonstrate a clear vision of exemplary learning environments; and

WHEREAS, this success is not by accident, but must be attributed to teachers, students and the community for their continued commitment and determination in supporting this special district and school; and

WHEREAS, the Magnolia Heights School took the leap of faith and began its Apple 1:1 program in the 2012-2013 school year, originally equipping only senior students with MacBooks, and after an extremely successful initial year, the school administrators developed a strategic technology plan referred to as iMHS, which was designed to get more technology in the hands of more students in order to expand their full intellectual potential through the use of the hands-on technology; and

WHEREAS, currently, Magnolia Heights School has achieved an enormous and remarkable feat, as all students in Grades 9-12 have a MacBook, which they utilize to broaden their understanding of an immensely vast world, with constantly changing views and cultures, that was limited to the pages of a few archaic books before the ingenious design and focus of the teachers who introduced iMHS; and

WHEREAS, nothing bypasses the minds of the leadership of Magnolia Heights School, as the school has iPad carts, which store, charge, and sync around 30 iPads, which are available for all students and teachers in Grades K-12, in addition to the MacBooks utilized by the students in Grades 9-12, so that the learning environment created by the new technology will never end due to a depleted battery; and

WHEREAS, because the leadership of Magnolia Heights School is always progressing and evolving with the best interests of the students at the forefront of their planning, they envision that next year students in Grades 7-8 will also have MacBooks and more iPad carts will be purchased; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the school's iMHS program, they are also on the cutting-edge of childhood education as online textbooks and resources are used in many of the school's classrooms, including the learning management system Canvas, which is used by many universities; and

WHEREAS, a true testament to the advancement of Magnolia Heights School that substantiates Magnolia Heights School truly is in a paramount position with the most elite education systems throughout the nation is that there is only one other known Apple Distinguished School in Mississippi; and

WHEREAS, not only is Magnolia Heights School constantly executing technology goals to further the advancement of its students, but the school is also tirelessly exerting the utmost energy daily to ensure the students are able to complete all of their work with flying colors by converting to a paperless education system, another leading advancement accomplished by only the superlative schools throughout the nation; and

WHEREAS, according to Headmaster Dr. Marvin Lishman, "The selection of Magnolia Heights School as an Apple Distinguished School highlights our success in creating an innovative and compelling learning environment that engages students and provides tangible evidence of academic accomplishment. It is a reward, too, for our parents who believe in the proper application of technology tools for their children, and for our faculty who has been sacrificial with their time and other resources to master the learning curve required to use the technology effectively, but, most of all, it is a great tribute to our wonderful students who have embraced technology as the powerful tool it is, to research, store and instantly access a world of information"; and

WHEREAS, an Apple representative, along with the Governor, will visit Magnolia Heights School to recognize them for their superb achievement; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize the excellent academic progress made by schools such as Magnolia Heights School, which have brought honor to their community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Magnolia Heights School for being recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for 2014-2016, for its unique implementation of Apple technology, and extend best wishes to school administrators, teachers and students on this auspicious moment in Mississippi history for continued success in all of their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Magnolia Heights School Headmaster Dr. Marvin W. Lishman, Magnolia Heights School Elementary Principal Allyson Mitchell, High School Principal and Athletic Director Jim Patterson, members of the Magnolia Heights School Board and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.