The start of the 2023 Tupelo High School year has come alongside a few notable changes and a new perspective for principal Mellisa Thomas, who is now in her second year in the position.

“last year, it was a getting to know everything routine, getting to know the school community, building culture,” Thomas said. “This year, I feel very confident that I am embedded into the Tupelo high school culture, and this year is all about stretching us a little bit closer to the excellence that I know we can we can attain.”

Like years prior there have been adjustments to the classic rules and procedures, including an overhaul of the old lunch system.

“That was one of the needs that the community and the student body had given us. So our district went back to the table, and we are providing outstanding deli-style lunch with lots of options.” Thomas said.

Along with the new lunch system is also a new building for the purpose of JROTC proceedings being built on the school’s campus.

But even though there have been changes, the core principals behind Tupelo High School stay the same.

“each year brings new beginnings and a different mindset. But I still feel like the purpose and the joy of school hasn’t changed and shouldn’t change.” Dr. Brock English said.

And while the school year has only just begun, preparations for this year were taken throughout the entire summer.

“When we send kids home [for summer break], we immediately start preparing to receive them back for the upcoming school year.” Dr. Thomas said.

“making sure that our teachers and students have everything that they need resources wise, whether it be textbooks, whether it be clean floors, whether it be more chairs, more desks, updates to computers and laptops, those types of things are things that we worked on throughout the summer, making sure that whatever our stakeholders need that first day or that first week or that first month, that they have them.” English said.

The hope is to turn what was a strong finish last year into an even stronger start this year.

“We are going to continue to do the same that we did last year, we finished with a great year last year. So we’re gonna pick up where we left off.” Thomas said.