Grenada School District Superintendent Dr. David Daigneault recently received one of the Volunteer Mississippi GIVE Awards (Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence) at their recent luncheon celebration in Jackson. The GIVE Awards celebrate the exemplary service of Mississippi’s most dedicated citizens. In partnership with the Governor’s Office, this award program presented by Volunteer Mississippi recognizes and honors the valuable contributions of extraordinary citizens while inspiring others to follow their example.
Dr. Daigneault received the “Make A Difference” Award because he has shown exceptional leadership and dedication to our schools, communities and the Grenada School District AmeriCorps Program. He is getting things done by making a difference for our children and community. Our AmeriCorps Program is funded through a federal grant and administered by AmeriCorps as part of Volunteer Mississippi.
• Grenada School District AmeriCorps Program is making a difference in our school and community. GSD AmeriCorps Program has been a part of our district for more than 16 years.
• From 2008 to 2024, more than 15,423 students received tutoring, with more than 12,618 students achieving a 15 percent or higher gain and 83 percent of all students experiencing growth.
• This program has impacted the lives of thousands of children in Grenada, where our school district hosts a strong and dedicated group of AmeriCorps members who have dedicated a year or more of their lives to serving in schools and after-school programs as tutors and mentors.
• The main initiative is assisting at-risk K-8 students to increase their reading and/or math skills by at least 15 percent. The one-on-one and small group tutoring has kept these students on course with their grade level and inspired students to want to learn.
• Throughout these sixteen years, AmeriCorps members have actively participated in more than 148 community activities and successfully recruited more than 200 volunteers.
• The lasting impact of our AmeriCorps program is evident in the fact that 35 former members have been hired within our school district, with 10 becoming teachers and 12 alumni securing positions in local businesses, furthering their contribution to our school and community.
From their service in AmeriCorps, many of our alumni have various positions throughout our community.
• 35 alumni have obtained various positions in our school district as 10 are certified teachers, teacher’s assistants and clerical and office positions.
• Several alumni are serving as nurses and nurse assistants in our community.
• Alumni serve in various office positions in our city, county and state.
1.Chancery Clerk’s office
2.WIN Jobs Center
3.Holmes Community College
4.Modine Manufacturing Co.
5.Mississippi State Library
6.Ole MS — Mental Health Office
7.TruLite
8.Chamber of Commerce
• Our program has excellent partnerships and sponsorships with businesses in our city and county.
1.Holmes Community College
2.Chamber of Commerce
3.Dollar General
4.Elizabeth Jones Library (Reading Programs)
