SOSD Discovery Center

Learn about growing food as a family with Project CARE! Join us for Family Fun in the Garden, a gardening workshop for the entire family -- Tuesday, July 31 at 10:00am. Nadia McClelland will join us to share gardening techniques and ways your family can work together and have fun growing food and caring for a family garden.

Family Fun in the Garden
Tuesday, July 30
10:00am - 12:00pm
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville

For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

Join us for our MOCK INTERVIEW workshop with Project PEACE... Do job interviews make you nervous? Do you feel as if you need to improve your interviewing skills? Then this is for you!

Preparing for Success: Mock Interview Workshop
Wednesday, July 31
11:00am - 12:00pm
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville

During this hands-on workshop, you will have the opportunity to practice answering a variety of commonly asked interview questions, receive constructive feedback, and learn techniques to improve your responses. Don't allow fear to cripple you; prepare for success now & nail your future interviews by registering for this workshop today!

For more information or to register, contact Shenina Brown at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

Join us for our upcoming Project PEACE parenting workshop... Parenting Toolbox: Customizing Styles to Fit Your Family on Wednesday, July 24! Your parenting style can affect everything from your child's self-esteem to their academic success. It's important to ensure your parenting style supports healthy growth and development. Come learn about the different parenting styles and how they impact your children.

Parenting Toolbox: Customizing Styles to Fit Your Family
Wednesday, July 24
11:00am - 12:00pm
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville Street

Registration is required and FREE childcare is available with required forms. For more information or to register, contact Patrice Jackson-Cajar at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

FRIDAY! Discovery Center's Project CARE is excited to welcome Natalie Jolly to host Learning Through TOT BALL for preschoolers! Natalie with Teams of Tomorrow (TOT) will teach about the importance of movement and learning for young children in this hour of athletics, academics and agility!

Friday, July 19
for Preschool children
10:00am-11:00am
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville Street, Starkville

For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

The Discovery Center will host a Lunch & Learn for Families with Children with Special Needs THIS THURSDAY, July 17 at 11:00am at the Starkville Sportsplex Annex Building. Parents will learn more about the IEP process, get information on advocacy as well as community resources.

For more information, contact Barbara Culberson at 662.615.0033 or email [email protected]

TOMORROW! Get in gear for the 2024-2025 school year with the Discovery Center! Join us for our drive-thru Back to School Bash packed with great resources and free school supplies and backpacks while supplies last!

Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 13
10:00am - 12:00pm
Drive-thru Circle
Discovery Center at Emerson School
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville
(Children must be present in vehicle to receive supplies)

TODAY! Get your exercise on! Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join us for a Zumba for Kids Exercise Class led by Vee Scott at the Discovery Center Family Resource Library on Tuesday, July 9 and July 16 from 1:30 until 3:00pm. You'll enjoy fun-filled exercise and games!

For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.320.4607 or [email protected]

THIS SATURDAY! Get in gear for the 2024-2025 school year with the Discovery Center! Join us for our drive-thru Back to School Bash packed with great resources and free school supplies and backpacks while supplies last!

Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 13
10:00am - 12:00pm
Drive-thru Circle
Discovery Center at Emerson School
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville
(Children must be present in vehicle to receive supplies)

Get your exercise on! Kids ages 5-12 are invited to join us for a Zumba for Kids Exercise Class led by Vee Scott at the Discovery Center Family Resource Library on Tuesday, July 9 and July 16 from 1:30 until 3:00pm. You'll enjoy fun-filled exercise and games!

For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.320.4607 or [email protected]

MARK YOUR CALENDARS... Get in gear for the 2024-2025 school year with the Discovery Center! Join us for our drive-thru Back to School Bash packed with great resources and free school supplies and backpacks while supplies last!

Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 13
10:00am - 12:00pm
Drive-thru Circle
Discovery Center at Emerson School
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville
(Children must be present in vehicle to receive supplies)

Next Monday! Join us for our Foster Parent Class presented by Families Strengthening Families to learn and find support on your journey in foster parenting. This class meets every 2nd Monday at 6:00pm at the Discovery Center. Registration is required and contact hours and certificates are available. Childcare is also provided with required paperwork.

For more information and to register, contact Barbara Culberson at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE for our annual Back to School Bash! Get in gear for the 2024-2025 school year with the Discovery Center! Join us for our drive-thru Back to School Bash packed with great resources and free school supplies and backpacks while supplies last!

Back to School Bash
Saturday, July 13
10:00am - 12:00pm
Drive-thru Circle
Discovery Center at Emerson School
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville
(Children must be present in vehicle to receive supplies)

TOMORROW! Join our interactive workshop designed to guide you through setting up an Indeed.com account with ease! Learn step-by-step how to create a profile, optimize your resume, and navigate the platform to enhance your job search experience. Perfect for job seekers of all levels looking to maximize their opportunities on Indeed.com.

June 27
11:00am - 12:00pm
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville

Free childcare is provided with needed paperwork. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Shenina Brown at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

Join our interactive workshop designed to guide you through setting up an Indeed.com account with ease! Learn step-by-step how to create a profile, optimize your resume, and navigate the platform to enhance your job search experience. Perfect for job seekers of all levels looking to maximize their opportunities on Indeed.com.

June 27
11:00am - 12:00pm
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville Street in Starkville

Free childcare is provided with needed paperwork. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Shenina Brown at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

Congratulation to our Emerson Preschool Office Manager, Felicia Frazier — SOSD Non-Certified/Classified Personnel of the Year! Well-deserved!

Congratulations to our 2024 SOSD Non-Certified/Classified Personnel of the Year... FELICIA FRAZIER!

Ms. Frazier serves as the Office Manager at Emerson Preschool, the district's fee-based preschool and PreK facility serving families with children from birth to four years old and was named the district's 2024 Non-Certified/Classified Personnel of the Year at our Employee Awards of Excellence Luncheon in May.

"She is often the first and last smiling face many of our parents and children see on a daily basis," said Mary Coleman, 2023-2024 Emerson Preschool Director. "She has the magic touch to calm any child that is upset, and every child looks for her on their way out of the building at the end of the day."

Ms. Coleman also shared that Ms. Frazier is never shy about lending a hand wherever it's needed in the facility, whether it's in the kitchen or in a classroom. On days when staff is short-handed, she often volunteers to take up the slack to be sure students and families have the best experience.

Congratulations, Ms. Frazier! We love how you every day!

BEGINNING MONDAY! Join us for LEGO fun for children ages K-3rd grade during our Wildlife Habitat Family Lego Build! Learn about wildlife and have fun building a habitat together!

June 17-18
10:00am - 12:00pm
Family Resource Center
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville St in Starkville

*Parents must remain with children as they participate. REGISTRATION is required.
For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.320.4607

What a joy to introduce our high schoolers to Catherine Pierce, Mississippi Poet Laureate! Reading 2 Succeed supports and develops programs and events to promote literacy skills in students and provides high quality books in an effort to increase reading motivation and exposure to a variety of genres.

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITY: SOSD Discovery Center Seeking Data Manager Bids

The safeSPACE School Climate Transformation Grant was written to serve the students at both The Partnership School and Armstrong Junior High School within the Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District in Starkville, MS.

A data compiler and analyst will be used in order to ensure the data collection and analysis is completed efficiently. The analyst will run analyses in order to gauge the success of the project as well as inform areas in which change should occur to meet expected outcomes. The person that serves in this role will be knowledgeable in data collection and analysis at the higher education research level.

For a full description of bid requirements, visit https://www.starkvillesd.com/discoverycenter/news/1787036/sosd-discovery-center-seeking-data-manager-bids

TOMORROW! Need tips on organizing and decluttering your home? Interested in DYI cleaning products and the great secrets to a clean house? Don't miss our "Home Organization and Cleaning Tips" workshop led by Shannon Voges-Haupt, owner of Workerbees cleaning company!

Wednesday, June 12
12:00 - 1:00pm
Discovery Center

Free childcare is available with needed paperwork. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Elizabeth Williams at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

Join us for LEGO fun for children ages K-3rd grade during our Wildlife Habitat Family Lego Build! Learn about wildlife and have fun building a habitat together!

June 17-18
10:00am - 12:00pm
Family Resource Center
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville St in Starkville

*Parents must remain with children as they participate. REGISTRATION is required.
For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.320.4607

TONIGHT! Join us for our Foster Parent Class presented by Families Strengthening Families to learn and find support on your journey in foster parenting. This class meets every 2nd Monday at 6:00pm at the Discovery Center. Registration is required and contact hours and certificates are available. Childcare is also provided with required paperwork.

For more information and to register, contact Barbara Culberson at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

BEGINNING TODAY! Get your Jurassic on! Preschoolers and young children (along with their parents) are invited to join us for DINO DISCOVERY & Learning Excursion on June 10-11 at the Family Resource Library in the Discovery Center. This come-and-go family event features fun dinosaur-themed activities designed to promote literacy and help children learn ABCs, numbers and shapes.

June 10-11
10:00am - 12:00pm
Family Resource Library
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville St in Starkville

For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.320.4607

Get your Jurassic on! Preschoolers and young children (along with their parents) are invited to join us for DINO DISCOVERY & Learning Excursion on June 10-11 at the Family Resource Library in the Discovery Center. This come-and-go family event features fun dinosaur-themed activities designed to promote literacy and help children learn ABCs, number and shapes.

June 10-11
10:00am - 12:00pm
Family Resource Library
Discovery Center
1504 Louisville St in Starkville

For more information, contact Roy Ann Bell at 662.320.4607

Need tips on organizing and decluttering your home? Interested in DYI cleaning products and the great secrets to a clean house? Don't miss our "Home Organization and Cleaning Tips" workshop led by Shannon Voges-Haupt, owner of Workerbees cleaning company!

Wednesday, June 12
12:00 - 1:00pm
Discovery Center

Free childcare is available with needed paperwork. Registration is required. For more information or to register, contact Elizabeth Williams at 662.615.0033 or [email protected]

Get learning together this month with Excel By 5! The Discovery Center's Excel By 5 program offers a monthly Kindergarten School Readiness calendar to give parents ideas for how to help their young children increase reading and math skills and prepare for the start of kindergarten. Check out our June calendar for fun and easy ideas to help your child learn!

Parents can download a copy of the calendar at https://www.starkvillesd.com/discoverycenter/excel-by-5

ICYMI: The Discovery Center's Reading 2 Succeed program welcomed Mississippi native and best-selling author Angie Thomas to speak with 6th and 7th grade Yellow Jackets at Partnership Middle School and discuss the first book in her new YA fantasy series, Nic Blake and the Remarkables.

In partnership with Friendly City Books in Columbus, MS, Reading 2 Succeed was able to provide every middle school student with a copy of the book to take home.

Reading 2 Succeed supports and develops programs and events to promote literacy skills in children from birth to 12th grade. They provide high quality books to students in an effort to increase reading motivation, performance and frequency.