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Open Letter to East Jasper School District Students, Staff,
Families, and Community regarding
Cancellation of Fall 2020 Athletics and Activities Season

Dear Oiler Nation:

The East Jasper School District has officially cancelled our fall athletics and activities season. In a majority Board vote, this decision was made due to overwhelming concerns regarding the unmitigated, statewide spread of COVID-19 throughout our communities. For school/college athletics and activities, it has become particularly dangerous and devastating. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution regarding whether or not we would be able to protect our students’ and staffs’ lives and conduct a fall season both safely and successfully, we have arrived at this heart-wrenching conclusion.

To our student body, student athletes, band members, cheerleaders, staff, administrators, and entire East Jasper community, we did not make this decision lightly nor without understanding and valuing the inestimable importance of sports and extracurricular activities in our students’ lives, in the development of their character and leadership skills, in the promotion of their social and emotional well-being and to our community at large. Some believe that our decision was rash and without just cause; however, I beg to differ. Who among us wants to be the conveyor or chooser of life and death? Who among us relishes the position in which our decision alone could ultimately determine whether or not a child lives to succeed in college, the military, or the world of work or instead is interred in an early grave? No one, I submit, who possesses a pure heart and desires a clear conscience. Indeed, this truly is the “High Road,”—albeit a lonely and painful one.

At this time, I also would like to provide clarification of the misinformation and fallacies that are currently circulating regarding this issue. Please know that the East Jasper School Board, administrators and staff, athletic and activity personnel, and I, Nadene Arrington, Superintendent, remain committed to serving and promoting both the academic and extracurricular interests of ALL of our students—including pursuing all potential college and scholarship opportunities. As such, our school board has approved for our athletic and activity staff to develop a “Continuance of Practicing, Conditioning, and Scholarship Promotion Plan” that will allow our students to continue to develop their skills and talents within a safe and controlled environment, under the watchful guidance of their coaches and directors, and in physical preparation for upcoming recruiting/scouting conversations and a possible spring season.

Further, it is our continued hope that an official spring sports and activities season will be scheduled and that all Mississippi school districts will be able to participate at that time. This hope, of course, is expressed along with the prayer that the COVID-19 pandemic will be either contained or eradicated with the discovery of safe and reliable vaccines and/or medicinal therapies.

Lastly, for every school district, superintendent, and athletic/activity program who at this time are grappling with these same challenging issues, we extend to them our unconditional support for we are truly walking in their shoes—and most of all, we wish them safety and continued protection in the days, weeks, and months ahead.

Sincerely,

Nadene Arrington, Superintendent

“It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.”

The East Jasper School District has as its mission to provide an educational program, so designed that it reflects the wide range of learning capabilities, backgrounds, needs and interests of our students. This program will guide the students toward mastery of basic learning skills, individual creativity, acceptable social behavior, and active participation in improving the socio-economic standards of their environment.

To accomplish this mission, the emphasis is focused on strong administrative leadership, quality instruction, and student achievement, which we believe to be important factors to achieve this accomplishment.

East Jasper Consolidated School District

Superintendent's Message

"We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only power of concentration, but worthy objectives upon which to concentrate."–Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On behalf of our staff and students, I offer my humble greetings to our parents, families, alumni, churches, community/business members and organizations, and our local city and county officials. Ever since my arrival here in 1993 as a middle school language arts teacher, the East Jasper/Heidelberg community has held a special place in my heart. It resonates with love and camaraderie while simultaneously providing stability and strength to its residents. I submit to everyone in this community that as long as we forever embrace challenges as opportunities and refuse to allow any individual or circumstance to extinguish our flames of faith, we will always fulfill our goals and then ultimately revel in our successes.

My creed is that “It takes a village to raise a child,” and indeed it does. Day after day, we in the East Jasper School District endeavor to increase student achievement, foster an environment conducive to learning, ensure an equitable education for all children, and serve as a positive and viable force in this community. Yet, we know that we cannot accomplish this alone. Strong ties with you—our community—must be respected and maintained. Without you, we would cease to be. We also know that life is not perfect, and therefore, we are not, as well. As we acknowledge this fragility, we in turn acknowledge our mistakes and oversights—past, present, and future ones—but also pledge due diligence in resolving any problems or concerns.

This East Jasper Village embodies love, compassion, endurance, and pride, and I pray that our District will always deserve your support. In Galatians 6:9 (NIV), we are encouraged as follows:

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

East Jasper, we will never tire of pursuing what is good and what is right, and we will never give up for we know that our bountiful harvest is soon at hand.

Yours in Education,

Nadene Arrington, Superintendent