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Community Message: Apalachee High School Tragedy

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Community Message: Apalachee High School Tragedy

Dr. K. Veronica Smith, Acting Superintendent of Schools: 

Unfortunately, as I am sure you have heard, there has been another devastating and senseless attack in a school in our country. Our hearts go out to the community, families and students of Apalachee High School in Barrow County, Georgia. The Mount Vernon City School District extends its sincerest sympathies to all those who were affected by this violence. 

To our Mount Vernon parents and community, please be assured that the District is committed to continually bolstering our security in our schools. We all must remain mindful of the threats students may face in today’s world as a school district and do everything possible to protect them. We want to assure you that we have strict security measures that are consistently being improved to align with the safest and most cautious practices. These include bag searches at every school, security monitors stationed at every entrance of each school and metal detectors at high schools. We also have a robust security camera system that covers the inside and outside of our buildings to monitor for threats. 

The District also has protocols in place to provide for the mental health of our students. If you are a student and are feeling left out or struggling with your home life, please reach out to someone at your school. The District has a team of counselors, psychologists and social workers in place at each school to assist students with a wide range of problems, and there is nothing wrong with asking for this help. If you see anything that concerns you in regard to another student, please also speak with an adult as soon as possible.

Again, our sincerest condolences go out to those in Georgia, and we are hopeful that this tragedy will serve as a reminder that we must protect our students at all costs. There is never too much we can do to keep them safe.
 

Dr. Doggett speaking to several students.
Elementary Superintendent's Advisory Council meets for first time in 2024-2025 school year

Elementary school students from around the Mount Vernon City School District stepped off the bus at the Mount Vernon Board of Education for their first Elementary Superintendent’s Advisory Council meeting of the school year on Wednesday, October 9, 2024. Students met with Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction and Administration Dr. Jamal Doggett, who explained how they would be working together to help improve their schools. 

Ebony Acheampong-Rogers
Our Students Now: Special Education Teacher Ebony Acheampong-Rogers

Ebony Acheampong-Rogers, a Class of 1998 Mount Vernon High School graduate, works at Hamilton School as a special education teacher. After receiving her diploma from MVHS, she decided to give back to her community and come back to teach its students. She has used the knowledge she gained going to school in Mount Vernon to help guide her students, and she is serving as a positive influence for all the children she interacts with on a daily basis.

View the Q+A with her here!

Mount Vernon Knights defeat Yonkers Force in homecoming game 37 - 6
Mount Vernon Knights defeat Yonkers Force in homecoming game 37 - 6

The stands of Mount Vernon’s Memorial Field boomed with excitement as it was packed with many Mount Vernon Knights Football Team fans. Most people in the crowd dressed in maroon and gold attire, representing Mount Vernon. On October 5, 2024, the Mount Vernon Knights kicked off their Unified Homecoming Football Game, scoring a touchdown not even a minute into the game!  

Students posing with red and gold pompoms.
Mount Vernon City School District unites all four high schools at Unified Homecoming Pep Rally

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, the Mount Vernon High School gymnasium stands were packed with high school students from around the District, repping their school colors and Mount Vernon pride. Students from all four Mount Vernon City School District high schools joined forces for the afternoon's pep rally, getting hyped for the big Unified Homecoming Game on Saturday, October 5, at Memorial Field. 

Click here to view the full photo gallery!