Report cards will be issued Wednesday, March 26. This card will give a student's grade for the first nine week of this term. With less than nine week remaining in the school year, students need to address any shortcomings in grades, improve as needed, or maintain grades if they are already excelling at a high level. Parents need to review grades, counsel with their students, and sign and return report cards to First Block classes. Parents wishing to arrange a conference may call the school to set up a time during a teacher's planning block.

With grades going out on Wednesday, seniors and their parents need to be especially aware of graduation requirements and pathway completion. Students must earn 28 credits, satisfy the graduation standards of the State of Tennessee, and complete their university, technical, or dual pathway. Ms. Herrin and I will meet with students who are on the borderline of passing/failing within the next 7-10 days.

This weekend Mr. Breeden and the band will sponsor Little Miss and Mr. McKenzie Beauty Pageants on Friday at 7:00 P.M. in the Theater at the high school. Admission for this event will be $5.00. On Saturday, they will sponsor the Junior and Senior Miss McKenzie Pageants at 7:00 P.M. Admission will again be $5.00. Proceeds for the pageants will go toward the operational expenses of the band. The band returned from their spring break trip at Walt Disney World where they performed in the Grand Parade on Main Street. The band is supported by an active Band Booster Club that helps raise the needed funds for us to compete during the fall at several competitions, perform in spring parades, and pay for the many costs associated with the band program.

Spring sports schedule for this week is as follows:

March 24 Softball @ West Carroll
March 25 Softball @ Lexington
Soccer vs. Lexington (at Bethel College)
Baseball @ Sports Plus Tournament (Jackson)
March 26 Baseball @ Sports Plus Tournament (Jackson)
March 27 Softball vs. Lexington (Mulberry Park)
Soccer @ USJ
Baseball @ Sports Plus Tournament (Jackson)
March 28 Softball @ Sports Plus Tournament (Jackson)
Baseball @ Sports Plus Tournament (Jackson)
March 29 Track @ JCS Invitational (Jackson)
Softball @ Sports Plus Tournament (Jackson)
Baseball @ Sports Plus Tournament (Jackson)

This winter we have had an unusual number of absences due to sickness - particularly several strands of influenza. Because of this, we will begin Time for Time this Saturday. Students will be able to clear four sessions each Saturday. We will start at 7:00 A.M. and complete the day at 1:00 P.M. Students will be expected to be in attendance if they owe Time for Time. I plan to meet with students this week and we will send letters home apprising students of the time they owe. Each additional absence will obviously increase a student's chance of not earning credit in the classes he/she is taking. Also, a reminder that by law a student that has five unexcused absences is in violation of the Compulsory Attendance law and may be cited in juvenile court. By and large, our attendance is well above the state average; however, students need to make a focused effort to attend school especially if they have already missed several days.

Looking ahead, we will have our 2007-2008 Basketball Banquet on Thursday, April 3, at 6:30 P.M. Our teams, coaches, cheerleaders, and special guests will be the guests of the school. Parents and others will need to purchase a ticket at the school for $8.00 prior to the banquet. As we have in the past, we will have the banquet in the cafeteria and then dismiss to the Theater for the awards portion of the program. Coaches Ridley and Yarbrough and Ms. Herrin will recognize their teams and squads at this time.

The Carroll County Democratic Women will sponsor a voter registration day at the high school on Thursday, April 3. Students may register to vote during their lunch time in the back part of our building. The Carroll County Democratic Women have conducted their voter registration drive for several years in an attempt to get young people involved in the democratic progress and remind them of their civic responsibility to vote. Students ages 17 and up need to see these people to sign up. It is a non-partisan activity with the only emphasis on becoming engaged in voting.

Last Tuesday the Balfour representative came to our school to deliver graduation supplies. While most seniors paid for and received their materials, others may not have done so. Students/parents may still get these at the school if they bring the balance due in the form of cash or money order payable to Balfour. Again the only required supplies are a cap and gown and diploma and diploma cover which cost in the area of $40.00.

The Science Club is sponsoring the 2nd Annual Super Science Day on Saturday, April 5. Mr. Gallimore headed this program last year in an attempt to interest elementary students in science. With the help of high school Science Club members, Mr. Gallimore will conduct several experiments in our science labs for elementary students. Information about Super Science Day will go out to students at the elementary school very soon. Last year's event attracted around 50 youngsters for the half-day fun.

As always I hope everyone has a great week.

• Notes From McKenzie High School
• Bethel College Youth Festival This Weekend
• Renaissance Theatre to Present "Seussical"