Natchez Early College Academy Parent Teacher Student Association would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for all of the support we have received over the past few months. As the 2017-2018 school year rapidly approached, we began to solicit various individuals and businesses to help us provide services for students at Natchez Early College at CO-LIN (NEC at CO-LIN), formerly known as Natchez Early College Academy (NECA). Our heart was overwhelmed with the responses we received. Many donors have requested to remain anonymous, and we graciously honor those requests. We sincerely hope that you understand you were an answer to prayer. We have contemplated various ways to say ‘thank you.’ Ultimately, we decided this was the best method to reflect the true nature and compassion of the individuals in our community.

NEC at CO-LIN is one of the first early college programs in the State of Mississippi. It was established in 2014 as Natchez Early College Academy. This past May, 14 young men and women became the first graduates of the program. Some of those young men and women graduated with 20 college credits and others with as many as 32 college credits. In addition, there was over $400,000 in scholarships distributed to those students. NEC at CO-LIN has maintained an academic rating of “B” since its inception. In an effort to further enhance the benefits of this program, the Natchez Adams School District partnered with Copiah Lincoln Community College to establish NEC at CO-LIN. There was a rapid transition from the campus of Natchez High School to the Natchez campus of Co-Lin.

We called on Sheriff Travis Patten and the team at Adams County Sheriff Office to assist in relocating equipment to the new campus. Without fail, they delivered unprecedented service. In addition, due to limited federal funds, the following businesses Guido Mini-Storage, Magnolia Bluff Casino & Hotel, Natchez Coffee Shop, Natchez Market, INKsational Screen Printing, Morgan Catering, Shamrock Drilling, Southern Style Catering and Taco Bell, provided meals for the staff and students of NEC at CO-LIN during the bridge week activities and orientation. On Aug. 15, there was another group of individuals who have been instrumental in the success of NEC at CO-LIN, which included the staff of Co-Lin, the staff of NEC at CO-LIN, parents, and students. The National Education Association provided a policy brief entitled “Parent, Family and Community Involvement in Education.” This article provided clear and consistent research on how this relates to higher academic performance and school improvement. It further stated students earned higher grades, attended school more regularly, had a lower dropout rate and enrolled in higher level programs when parents and community liaisons were fully engaged in the educational process.

You have an opportunity to make an impact in our community by joining us as a member of NECA PTSA. Membership dues are $6.50 per person. Our focus is to provide support to parents, students, teachers and other staff members throughout the school year. Our next meeting is Tuesday, Sept. 5 at 5:30 p.m. at NEC at CO-LIN 30 Campus Drive, Natchez, MS. The guest presenter is Juan Cloy, a former FBI agent. The theme is ‘Keepin It 100’ which will focus on helping youth understand their true identity. For more information, please feel contact us at necaptsa@gmail.com.
Sharon Bradford is the president of the Natchez Early College Academy Parent Teacher Student Association. She can be reached at 601-597-4422.