Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School is a multi-magnet middle school in New London, CT.[1] Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School opened in 1994.[2] In 2022-2023, Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School served 337 students in grades 6-8.[3] Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School was named after a local educator.[4]
| Bennie Dover Jackson Multi-Magnet Middle School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
36 Waller Street New London , CT 06320 United States | |
| Coordinates | 41°21′29″N 72°06′25″W / 41.3581°N 72.1070°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Magnet School |
| Opened | 1994 |
| School district | New London Public School District |
| Principal | Chris Vamvakides |
| Grades | 6-8 |
| Website | https://www.newlondon.org/secondary |
Namesake
edit
Bennie Dover Jackson was a black educator in New London, CT.[3] Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School was named in her honor. [4] Jackson lived from December 23,1921 to October 30, 1988.[4] She is believed to have been the first black school teacher in the New London Public School System.[4] Her first teaching role in the area was at Jennings Elementary School. This began her life-long interest in education for the New London community.[4]
Work in the region
editAlthough Jackson was originally from South Carolina, much of her life was spent in New London, CT. [4] She worked at several schools in the area.[4] At Jennings Elementary School, Jackson taught 2nd grade before moving on to the Waller School, where she was a head teacher.[4] She taught next at Winthrop Elementary.[4] This was her final teaching role before retirement.[4] Following her retirement, Jackson served on the New London Board of Education. [5]
School profile information
editBennie Dover Jackson Middle School is the only public middle school in New London, CT. It is a multi-magnet school, educating students who matriculate from two of the district's three public magnet elementary schools (Winthrop STEM Elementary Magnet School and C.B. Jennings International Elementary Magnet School) as well as other students accepted into the magnet system. (Students from Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School attend middle school at the New London High School campus.) The school colors are green and gold and the mascot is the Whalers.
Enrich Mentorship Program
editBennie Dover Jackson Middle School has a partnership with Connecticut College.[6] The Enrich Mentorship Program allows for college students to serve as mentors for middle school students.[6] The college students guide participating middle school students through a variety of after-school activities at the middle school and on the Connecticut College campus.[6] The program is seen as a community-building partnership that provides a safe space for participating middle schoolers to express themselves. [6]
Notable alumni
editShineika Fareus
editFareus is a graduate of the New London Public School District. She attended both Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School and New London High School. Fareus came to the United States, from Haiti, following the 2010 earthquake.[7] Fareus is known for her work at Hearing Youth Voices, the Connecticut Black and Brown Student Union, and Higher Edge.[8][7] Fareus is on the board of Higher Edge; Higher Edge is an organization to assist first generation college students with the college process.[7] She is also known for her run for City Council.[9] Although Fareus was not on the endorsed slate of candidates, she was in the primary election.[9] A primary election occurs when enough signatures are collected to challenge the endorsed slate of candidates.[9]
References
edit- ^ Smith, Greg (July 31, 2020). "New London chooses new high school principle, adult ed director". The Day. pp. C2. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- ^ "Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School Dedication Ceremony". The Day. May 16, 1994. p. 13. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
- ^ a b "Search for Public Schools - School Detail for Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School". nces.ed.gov. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kimball, Carol W. (February 26, 2007). "Bennie Dover Jackson: Her Legacy". The Day. p. 83. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ^ Tolson, Ken (November 20, 1987). "School committee agrees on Jackson". The Day. p. 25. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Schulman, Daviel (November 9, 2022). "¡Comunidad!: Enrich Mentorship Program Builds Community Bridges". The College Voice. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c Howard, Lee (May 14, 2023). "Higher Edge in an Expansion Mode". The Day. pp. B1. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Greg (August 1, 2020). "Protest at City Hall calls for reallocation of police funds in New London". The Day. pp. B1–B2. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
- ^ a b c Penney, John (September 13, 2023). "New London Democrats stick to endorsed City Council Slate". The Day. pp. A1, A5. Retrieved October 29, 2023.