We hope you have noticed a new feature in our Wednesday newspaper — the School & Youth page.

We at The Natchez Democrat are excited because the School & Youth page is dedicated space for us to share some of the many good things that are going on in our schools — all of our schools.

In just the two weeks we have published the new page, I have learned a lot of about what students and faculty are accomplishing here.

While social media comments tend to focus on the negative, so many positive things happening here do not get the notice they should. Our weekly School & Youth feature is our opportunity to change that.

For instance, the public school system has three schools — Frazier Elementary, McLaurin Elementary and Natchez Early College at Co-Lin — whose faculty and staff will receive a share of bonus money paid by the state for exemplary performance and improved school ratings. That is great news we were able to share, thanks to the School & Youth feature.

Also, did you know students at Fallin Career and Technology Center are teaming up with Film Natchez and will benefit from work experience offered by some of the very best in that specialized and growing industry? A number of Fallin students will go to work soon, helping film industry pros Tate Taylor and John Norris turn the old Budweiser Distributor building into a film studio.

Did you know about 31 Natchez area businesses are already at work through a Natchez Chamber of Commerce program to assist faculty at Fallin Career and Technology Center to prepare students for the world of work and are designing work opportunities to help make students work ready.

I’m sure you recall getting your name or photo in the newspaper for your accomplishments while in school. Your parents likely cut that photo out and displayed it on the front of your family’s refrigerator. Our students today deserve that same opportunity for praise and recognition.

Our new Wednesday School & Youth feature is open to every school in the Miss-Lou. If you are a principal or teacher or parent and your classroom or students have accomplished something special, please share it with our readers.

School & Youth will be a compilation of stories and photos generated by our staff and the same generated by school staffers. It’s a place you will go to find honor rolls and spelling bee winners and individual and classroom accomplishments.

Simply email your high-resolution photos and information to scott.hawkins@natchezdemocrat.com. Please make sure to include your contact information in the event we have questions or need more information.

We look forward to hearing from you and celebrating the accomplishments of all of our teachers and students.

Jan Griffey is general manager of The Natchez Democrat. Reach her at 601-445-3627 or jan.griffey@natchezdemocrat.com.