Here’s what’s happening in Mobile County Public Schools this week …

ROCKET LAUNCH LESSON AT STAR ACADEMY: Sixth-graders in the STAR Academy had an exciting science lesson today with guests from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. This special hands-on STEM lesson focused on the forces of flight. Students learned the science behind flight, including Newton’s Laws of Motion. They then applied their learning by designing, building and launching their own rockets. (Raw video that you may edit and use slugged “Pathway Rocket Launch” is available here: http://dmsftp.mcpss.com/tvnetwork/ )

AGRICULTURAL SAFETY DAY: MCPSS elementary and middle school students in 4-H and FFA programs will learn about agricultural careers, training, and safety during Agricultural Safety Day on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Alma Bryant High School, 14001 Hurricane Boulevard in Irvington. More than 400 4-H students will visit more than 20 educational stations, learning about all aspects of agricultural fields, from water testing to animal science to equipment maintenance. Students in FFA programs at Mary G. Montgomery and Alma Bryant High Schools will assist with the event, which is presented by the Mobile County Extension Office and its community partners. If you would like to cover Agricultural Safety Day, please email Rena Philips.

FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: #TeamMCPSS is cheering on its playoff teams this week! Two schools remain in flag football, and three in football. Here is the schedule:
Flag Football on Tuesday:

• Stanhope Elmore at Theodore, 6 p.m.
• Blount at Northridge, 5 p.m.

Football on Friday, all games at 7 p.m.:

• Selma at Vigor
• Williamson at Northside
• Baker at Central-Phenix City

VETERANS DAY PARADE AND LUNCHEON:

MCPSS students will have a prominent part in the annual Veterans Day parade on Wednesday. Marching bands from Bryant, Davidson, LeFlore Magnet, Theodore and Vigor High Schools and LOTC cadets from MCPSS middle schools will march during the parade in downtown Mobile. Also, MCPSS JROTC cadets will present the colors at the annual Mobile Bay Area Veterans Commission Honors Luncheon, which will be held in Fort Whiting. After the luncheon, Baker High School’s band will perform at the Parade of Flags Ceremony at USS Alabama Battleship Park. 

MOCK INTERVIEWS:

#TeamMCPSS invites volunteers to sign up for mock interview sessions with our high school seniors. Representatives from regional businesses and industries are encouraged to help our seniors practice their interview skills as they prepare for college and careers. The MCPSS Career Coaches, in partnership with the Mobile Chamber’s Workforce Development team, organized the sessions. The final sessions will be held November 16-19. Here is the link to view the schedule and register.

 BOARD MEETINGS AND CALENDAR ITEMS:

Schools will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.

The swearing-in ceremony for Dr. Reginald Crenshaw of District 3 and Sherry Dillihay-McDade of District 4 as well as the election of officers will take place on Monday, Nov. 16, at noon in the Cypress Auditorium, which is in the Professional Development Building of the MCPSS Central Office.

The Mobile County Board of School Commissioners annual Organizational Meeting will be held on Friday, Nov. 20, at 10 a.m., and will be followed by the regular monthly meeting at 10:05 a.m. Both of those meetings will be in the Board Room at MCPSS Central Office.