Golden Triangle Gear Up For The New School Year 2024-25

As the beginning of the new school year is fast approaching, schools across the Golden Triangle open their doors this week for their students, marking the commencement of the 2024-25 academic sessions.

The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District is set to begin classes this Tuesday, while schools in Lowndes County and Columbus are scheduled to start the term on Thursday. Opening on Friday for this academic year is West Point, followed by Noxubee which begins its classes on August 1.

Schools Bracing for A robust Start

The first day at school would largely be about students familiarizing themselves with their surroundings, meeting new teachers, and settling down into the routine that they will follow for the entire season. School administrators, teachers, and other staff members have already started working round the clock to ensure a smooth kick-off to the school year. An immense salute to our educators for their commendable commitment, and parents are encouraged to partner in their efforts. So, welcome back students!

Lowndes FYRST Program To Guide First-Generation College Students

In a bid to assist first-generation college students, the Columbus Rotary Club, Mississippi University for Women and East Mississippi Community College have collectively envisioned a program to help these students navigate their unfamiliar terrain of student life.

The youth leadership development program, “Lowndes First-Generation Youth Realizing Success Together” (FYRST) aims to include cohorts of 10 first-generation college students from each institution for the academic year 2024-25. As part of the program, the selected cohorts will attend seminars, retreats, and other events that will familiarize them with their next steps during their stint at EMCC or MUW. Furthermore, each group will undertake an annual service project under the program.

The funding and matching Rotary District grant for the Lowndes FYRST program, along with facilitating a welcome event at the onset of the first semester, the retreat and a celebration event at the conclusion of the semester for both EMCC and The W would be provided by the Rotary Club of Columbus.

Knowledge of one’s options when posed with difficulties is a fundamental aspect of a successful college experience. And it is precisely that frame of reference that FYRST seeks to offer these students, helping them make wise decisions. A hearty congratulations to the Rotary Club, The W and EMCC on this commendable initiative.

City of Starkville’s Move to Address Loitering and Panhandling

Unaddressed since it repealed its overly broad statute, the City of Starkville is set to look into an ordinance for loitering and panhandling. The city has already scheduled a public hearing to discuss the ordinance, a necessary protocol as per law. However, the aldermen assure that they aren’t just complying with the regulations but are actively seeking public participation.

This comes as excellent news since much of the current proposed ordinance takes notes from the City of Tupelo’s ordinance, a city that has previously raised questions about its handling of homeless people and others in society’s fringes in a fair and compassionate way. Cut-and-paste isn’t how good policy should be made. The ordinance must reflect the city’s unique challenges and values explicitly.

Only through a sincere effort of public engagement can the city craft an ordinance that is effective at protecting its citizens from harassment while acknowledging the humanity of those who panhandle to satisfy their basic needs.