|
Hollandale's Chambers Middle School is located in the community of Arcola, Mississippi, in Washington County. Two men are credited with beginning the settlement that was to become Arcola. William Smith came first to the area to get a new start after financial difficulties in Clinton. He became the owner of two plantations close by each other. A. J. Paxton, a lawyer from Jackson and Vicksburg, came to the area in 1846 also to start a plantation. A 1976 article in the Deer Creek Pilot says that the only trails Paxton found when he first came to the area were those cleared earlier by Smith or those created by bears!
The town of Arcola sprang from these early settlements and was named by Mrs. Smith in honor of her uncle who fought with Napoleon in 1796 at the Battle of Arcola in Italy. During the Civil War, the area was invaded by Union General Steele and his troops on three different occasions. After the war, it was many years before the area recovered from the losses suffered during the war. According to the Pilot article, by 1888 Arcola had become more prosperous, and one of its citizens reported that "There are 15 business houses, five saloons, seven or eight dry goods and general assortment stores, two drug stores, one surveying and real estate office, two hotels, three steam gins, two corn mills, one butcher shop, one justice of the peace, one constable, and, not to be forgotten, two splendid doctors."
An elementary school was first established in the community of Arcola in 1871. Other grade levels were added as time passed, and in 1950 the school graduated its first class of six students. In 1958 several school districts were consolidated, and high school students in Arcola were assigned to the Leland or Hollandale school districts.
Chambers middle school takes its name from Mr. James W. Chambers, who was principal from 1940 to 1963, and his wife, Anna D. Chambers, who became principal upon his death and served in that capacity until her death in 1975. The school's name was officially changed to Chambers Attendance Center at that time. In 1968 only grades 1-8 were assigned to the school. During the 1985-1986 school year the school was changed to a K-6 school. In 1995-1996 the school became Chambers Middle School with 7th and 8th graders attending.
The school's mission of providing academic development for its students was enhanced in 2001 by the completion of the Mary W. Kellum Multi-Purpose Building, named in honor of retired principal Mary W. Kellum. During Ms. Kellum's tenure as principal, technology became a major focus. Internet access in the classrooms, institution of a Tech Prep program, and participation in C·R·E·A·T·E for Mississippi were all begun. Chambers also received a 3-year Mid-South Foundation grant aimed at implementing activities and instructional practices in keeping with middle school concepts.
Currently there are 12 teachers working with 158 students at Chambers. At the beginning of the 2001-2002 school year, Angela F. Johnson was named principal. In addition to promoting the integration of technology and instruction, Mrs. Johnson's administration is focusing on the improvement of instruction through curriculum alignment with standards and improving instructional practices, increasing parental involvement, and enhancing co-curricular and extracurricular activities for students. This focus has led to the establishment of a computerized Dyslexia Lab and a Parental Involvement Center. A National Junior Honor Society Chapter has been established and an athletic program formed. In addition to band, Student Tech Team, 4-H, and Student Council, students may now participate in football, boys' and girls' basketball, cheerleading, and intramural activities.
|
