They say time flies when you're having fun. Well, that is the certainly the case at Mayo Middle School. Maintaining a positive well focused approach to education allows Mayo Middle School to continue to "raise the bar". Many wonderful things are taking place at Mayo School thanks to the superb staff, great students, terrific parents and outstanding support we receive from the community.
Mayo School is fortunate to have established many community partnerships. We continue to receive support in art from Partners in Education. This has enhanced our new art program featuring graphic design and computerized art. The various civic organizations such as noon Kiwanis, Kiwanis Early Risers, Rotary and Professional Business Women's Club, offer opportunities for many of our students. Paris Main Street Inc. , provides community involvement that enables students to participate in community service programs. We are thankful to work with the Edgar County Extension and the Home Community Educators with the Mayo Cookers and Mayo Chefs.
A supportive organization that originated at Mayo School is the Paris Area Youth Services program. Known as P.A.Y.S. , this organization collaborates with local business', civic organizations, and interested individuals to provide work opportunities for 6th, 7th, 8th grade students. This program assists students to develop salaried job opportunities in the Paris community.
Our music program keeps busy with many concerts and other performance opportunities ranging from seasonal music events, public support appearances, recordings, and music competitions throughout the year. The music department consists of concert band and chorus, pep band, jazz band, marching band, solo & ensemble and organizational contest. Mayo Middle School continues to host music competition events providing a wide range of opportunities for students and parents.
The drama department in association with the music staff continues to grow in talent by providing a spring presentation each year. Under the direction of many capable instructors, students are provided opportunity to expand their talents and acting skills on stage.
Again Mayo Middle School will host the District #95 Spelling Bee as well as the Edgar County Spelling Bee. The county spelling bee involves many area schools. At both contests, winners receive many prizes and gifts from various merchants and financial institutions. Winners of the county spelling bee will be eligible to compete in the Wabash Valley Spelling Bee held in Terre Haute, IN. A similar competition sponsored by the Terre Haute Kiwanis Club is the annual Geography Bowl Quiz in which many Mayo students will have the opportunity to participate and compete.
Rudy Readers, an enhanced reading program for the classics, continues to be a strong emphasis at Mayo Middle School. Many students continue to read the "book of the month", which comes from a highly recommended advanced reading list for Mayo Middle School students. Monthly meetings and fun activities are held for a final discussion of the books.
Mayo School offers a wide range of activities, events, and extra-curricular organizations in which students may participate. These activities and organizations are designed to fit the needs of all students. For more information and a list of various organizations and their sponsors, please contact our website at: www.paris95.k12.il.us/mayo/.
There are many new programs at Mayo School that shows great possibilities. The renewal of "Bank at School" is a program using mathematics and its applications to personal business, computerized accounting, and financial responsibilities.
A Debate Club has been established providing opportunities for students to learn, develop and articulate debating techniques.
A new Engineering Program allowing students to develop city, metropolitan and rural communities has brought collaboration among English, Math, and Science teachers and local professional engineers acting as mentors to the program.
The Mayo Dance Team is the creation of positive teachers and interested students. This organization combines dance, athletics, art and music to provide entertainment presentation at local athletic events.
Of course the new state of the art gym floor at Mayo School along with the professional acoustical treatment of the gym is a tremendous improvement and an important asset to the community. Due to the generosity of many donors and organizations, along with the support of the Board of Education, Mayo School has one of the best gymnasiums in the area. This was highlighted with the dedication and naming of the gym in honoring former teacher, coach and principal Joe Whitacre. The Joe Whitacre Gym bears the name of one of Paris' best. With the massive improvements to the Joe Whitacre Gym other opportunities have come forth. Competitive volleyball for junior high is underway at Mayo and the future is very bright.
Also, competitive cheerleading has reached new heights of excellence. Our cheerleading program continues to be highly rated in various competitions. Additionally, the sports programs are very successful in training skills and offering opportunities to interested athletes. All sport programs are directed by highly qualified coaches and volunteer assistants.
It must be said the District #95's Safe and Drug Free programs at Mayo School has an important influence on students and parents. With a strong emphasis on positive character development, these programs provide positive action techniques, role model selection and character development activities to enable students the skills to interact in a responsible nature.
Kudos go out to the Mayo Booster Club for all their hard work and efforts throughout the school year. The Booster Club is an organization of all Mayo parents, grandparents and relatives who provide support to all areas including athletes, academics, and art. Also, they provide support to staff, banquets, academic events, plays, music contests, and various fun activities for the Mayo School students. Fundraising activities range from mum sales, poinsettia sales, a fall and spring dance, basket binga, raffles, 3on3 tournaments and an active concession program.
Technology is a very important part of Mayo Middle School educational development. Mayo School has two computer labs containing 25 computers each. Additionally, each classroom has computers as well as 8 individual computers in the library and learning center. This technology allows our students and staff the capabilities to reach out world wide for current information. Also, classes in computer techniques are offered early on at Mayo in order to maintain a high standard of information accessibility and techniques.
Mayo has its own in-house television studio, W.H.A.M. which stands for "What's Happening at Mayo". Students and faculty announcements are televised live daily between 8:10-8:20 am on channel 36 and maybe viewed by anyone with local cable. Due to a recent donation, all studio equipment has been updated to meet the challenges of new technology. W.H.A.M provides various community calendars and school information for homework and school events. We encourage parents to use this service.
One of the most exciting opportunities is the creation of our ongoing scholarship and award programs at Mayo School. The "Paris Scholars" is an ongoing scholarship program that provides five $1,000 awards to (5) 6th grade, (5) 7th grade, and (5) 8th grade students per each calendar year. The scholarship awards continue throughout high school and the funds will be held in a trust account at Citizens National Bank for the students future education. Additionally, the "Redbird Incentive Award" is a $500 presentation per grade level per semester. This program rewards students who exhibit growth in the face of many challenges. For more information regarding these programs and many other programs of recognition, please contact Mayo Middle School guidance department or Mayo Middle School administration offices.
Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT) are annually administered to 6th, 7th and 8th grade students. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students are tested in math and reading. Seventh grade students are also tested in science. Students are encouraged to do their best to attend school during the week of ISAT's. Please encourage students to get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast in order to be able to test to the best of their ability.
To assist our students in recognizing their potential as adults, Mayo Middle School has created the "Wall of Fame" award. This award recognizes adults who have graduated from Mayo Middle School and the adult is now honored for their professional accomplishment. Recipients of the award present a speech at recognition night emphasizing Mayo grads have and continue to accomplish many things.
The Mayo School website is constantly being updated. Links to contact staff members are available along with information on our clubs, organizations, events, calendars and sponsors. Our website can be reached at www.paris95.k12.il.us/mayo/ or by going to the districts website www.paris95.k12.il.us.
Please refer to the extra curricular page for links to various activities.
I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to visit our websites. Several staff members have email links to our website. A special thanks goes to our secretarial staff and teachers for up-grading and maintaining current information about Mayo School.
Thank you for your past, present and future support for Mayo School. TOGETHER we CAN make a difference in the education and the lives of our children as we continue to "raise the bar".
Sincerely,
Melanie Ogle
Principal
Warren Sperry
Assistant Principal