Reading, Writing and What?

I haven't said much about Leadership Natchez but it's a really neat program sponsored by our Chamber of Commerce. We meet once a month, we're a group of 17, and learn different things about our City.

The first month was Healthcare. We visited all 3 hospitals in the area and learned about all the different services we have available. I left that day no longer feeling like I would need to be airlifted out of Natchez for a cold.

The second month was education. Let's be honest. Natchez is not known for it's public school system. At not least known positively. But I learned there really is a lot about which to be proud.

We visited one public school, the pre-K and Kindergarten school (in Natchez, all children of the same grade attend one school. 1st and 2nd in one building, 3rd and 4th in another, and so on.), all three private schools, and both college campuses.

It was a very full day!

But very educational (pun intended!). The technology is amazing, and most all schools have it, although to varying degrees. The biggest change is the "chalkboards".

There are very few left. They are being replaced by "smart boards". White, illuminated boards that are connected to a laptop on the teacher's desk. And they do everything.

We saw one type that had lesson plans built in to the software. I kid you, not! Built in! One board had clickers that the students could use to answer multiple choice questions. Almost like a game show.

The Catholic school had these in every classroom. And three or four classrooms had banks of laptops for the students to use. In elementary. And they didn't have to check one out to use it, there were plenty right there at their fingertips.

In one science class, though, the enormity of it hit me. We were watching a lesson on the planets, watching them spin on the screen, and it was pointed out that there were no textbooks.

Yes, you heard me right. NO TEXTBOOKS!

I know I'm "old" but I had no idea that such a world even existed. The students are only tested on what they learn in the classroom. And the biggest problem, according to the administrator, is finding qualified substitutes. Not just anyone can use those smartboards. There's no Teacher's Guide. No books at all.

One private school had a few, the other none, and the public school had them in the library and one other common area. But there were lots of computers in the public schools, even in the pre-K rooms.

They have to start them early.

It was very enlightening.

We were also given the opportunity to give back, as they say. As business owner and other leaders in town, we were asked to speak to the public school system's 8th through 10th grades about the Mississippi Scholars program. Basically, we were selling education. Trying to encourage these young people to think beyond next week. To understand that their future, in particular their earning power, is directly related to their level of education now and after high school. Not everyone is cut out for a 4 year university, but that isn't the only option. There is the military, trade schools, community colleges. The options are there as long as the students get the right foundation now.

I spoke to two classes and thanked the central office for the opportunity. I don't know if any of them listened to what we had to say, but all it takes is one. If one student left after one of those with a new focus or better plant, then wonderful. If not, then we tried.

I didn't know exactly what I was getting into when I signed up for Leadership Natchez. So far, though, it has provided me with so much insight. Natchez is so much more than "just a pretty face".

The Greatest Gifts

I love giving gifts. Real, thoughtful gifts. Sometimes for no reason at all.

I really dislike giving money or gift cards for special occasions, although sometimes it is necessary with teenagers in the family. What they are "into" changes from minute to minute and by the time I discover something is "hip" it is so yesterday. So I acquiese to them.

Except for my niece and nephews, I tried very hard to not ask what everyone wanted this past Christmas. I wanted to make an real effort to think about what I wanted to give, not focus on what they wanted. As adults, most us can buy what we want or need so it can easily turn into just a day of trading boxes, not really giving gifts.

It's hard to do. The easiest thing is just to get a list from everyone and just go scratch items off. But that isn't really the purpose of gift-giving, now is it?

I have two very dear friends with whom I have lunch each year when we're home for Christmas. I have known Heather since our first day of first grade at Argenta Elementary School. Our friendship is pushing 40 years. She lives in Atlanta now and we try to get one visit a year in at one of our houses. I've known Cindy since I was in high school and she was at Hendrix. We spent one year at Hendrix together and have stayed in touch ever since. Although they didn't really know each other previously, Cindy and Heather ended up at the same church while Heather was still in North Little Rock and developed their own strong friendship.

Our annual lunch is a special treat for the three of us. We talk as though we only saw each other the day before and there is no shortage of topics to discuss, and nothing is off limits. We eat at the same restaurant most years and we've closed the place down more than once.

And there are gifts.

Special gifts.

You see, these gifts are gifts from our hearts. We don't call each other and ask what the other one wants. We put real thoughts and efforts into the gifts. Heather travels to Europe extensively and always brings us something from wherever she's been. Linens from Switzerland. Glass ornaments from Venice. A kitchen tile from Italy.

Cindy has found things at her weekend at War Eagle or in town during the year. This year we received beautiful Tiffany blue jewelry boxes with a silver hummingbird and a purse compact that matched. And we can count on the gift from Cindy being presented in a beautiful tote bag for the books that Heather and I devour at every opportunity.

Gifts from the heart.

As they should be.

Of course, the time we spend together is the greatest gift. I know I could call either of them at any time and they'd come running. Just knowing and having these ladies in my life is a blessing and I'm forever grateful for the gifts of their friendship.