Petal News

August 23, 2013 - Hattiesburg American - Staff Writer Ellen Ciurczak eciurczak@hattiesburgamerican.com Hattiesburg American Article - Link It looks and sounds like chaos upon first entering the 4-year-old classroom at Playschool preschool in Petal — as 35 children...

Petal Featured in National Report on City Leadership for Children and Families - May 8, 2013 Contact Greg Minchak 202-626-3003 minchak@nlc.org Petal, Mississippi – Petal is featured in a new report highlighting promising city efforts to improve the lives of children,...

Petal Excel by 5 Program Recertified excel_article_rsu_1_.pdf

November 14, 2011   La Tonya Frelix, American Writer PETAL — Excel By 5 program leaders in Petal spent Monday requesting help from the business and service community to spread its message. Julie Fondren, Petal School District social worker and coalition chair for...

 Early development surveys measure readiness of kindergartners for school Written by Ellen Ciurczak Hattiesburg American Staff Writer Three Pine Belt school districts are working with the United Way of Southeast Mississippi on early development surveys that will...

Ellen Ciurdzak • Hattiesburg American • January 2, 2011

Seven school districts in Forrest, Lamar and Perry counties have been selected as pilot sites for an early development survey that will measure how ready students are for kindergarten.

PETAL — For years, it has been Petal’s goal to teach prekindergartners the basics to prepare them for a successful academic career.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library opens in Petal
by Tre Bischof

Building upon its reputation of quality in education, the Petal community officially added another unique feature this year as the Petal Imagination Library was opened to the public.

Want to insure your child enters school with the skills needed to succeed? Research shows that reading to your child daily is a powerful way parents and caregivers can impact children's readiness for school. By joining the Itty Bitty Bookworm Club, you agree to read...