Dr. Melanie R. Nelson Appointed as New Superintendent
of Forest Municipal School District
The Board members of the Forest Municipal School District are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Melanie Nelson as the district’s new superintendent. Dr. Nelson’s career in education spans 31 years in public school education. Her experiences include classroom teacher for 13 years, assistant principal, curriculum specialist, and elementary principal for 10 years. She is currently the Director of Elementary Education and Federal Programs in the Biloxi Public School District, an “A” rated school district. Dr. Nelson earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi.
In her role as Federal Programs Director, she has managed million-dollar budgets and has partnered with agencies such as the Kellogg Foundation and the Keesler Air Force Base to bring grants into the district which benefitted students and teachers. Dr. Nelson has also been active in the community by utilizing her grant writing skills to secure a community grant to support literacy and English Language acquisition and GED attainment. All the elementary schools under her supervision are rated “A” or “B”.
The Board members worked with the Mississippi School Boards Association in the superintendent search process. After a three-week search time frame, there were 13 applicants from inside and outside the state.
The Board set prior documented leadership in a successful school district, experience in improving academic achievement, experience in a school or district with a high ELL student population, the ability to develop a climate of trust and openness with all stakeholders, and visibility in the schools and the community as key characteristics for the new superintendent.
Charles Longmire, FMSD Board President, stated, “After a nationwide search for the best qualified candidate to lead the district in a positive direction, the board has chosen Dr. Melanie Nelson. She possesses proven leadership skills and a working knowledge of how to improve student achievement. The Board members look forward to partnering with her to serve the students of FMSD. The Board is also appreciative of the input from the faculty, staff, and community members during the search process.”
Dr. Nelson is a 2018 graduate of the MSBA Prospective Superintendents Academy. She received the Service to the Community and Continued Education to East Biloxi Award in 2021 and was presented with the National Association of Federal Program Administrators State Leadership Award in 2020. She is a member of several professional and community organizations.
FMSD Open House has been rescheduled for Tuesday, August 15th.
Each campus will be open from 4:00 p.m. - 6 p.m. to greet students and parents.
Car rider drop-off and pick-up will be at the front of the building this year. Remember, students can not be dropped off before 7:20 AM. Students may be picked up after school as early as 2:50 PM.
Don't forget to pick up your schedules today from 8 a.m - 3 p.m if you have not already done so.
Registro FMSD:
HOY es el ÚLTIMO día para todos los que regresan
Estudiantes de FMSD para registrarse.
La INSCRIPCIÓN se lleva a cabo en el gimnasio de HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL este año.
El registro finalizará a las 6 p.m.
Registro FMSD:
HOY es el ÚLTIMO día para todos los que regresan
Estudiantes de FMSD para registrarse.
La INSCRIPCIÓN se lleva a cabo en el gimnasio de HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL este año.
El registro finalizará a las 6 p.m.
FMSD Registration:
TODAY is the FINAL day for all returning
FMSD students to register.
REGISTRATION is held at HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL gym this year.
Registration will end at 6 p.m.
FMSD Registration:
TODAY is the FINAL day for all returning
FMSD students to register.
REGISTRATION is held at HAWKINS MIDDLE SCHOOL gym this year.
Registration will end at 6 p.m.
Esports Materials for Hawkins Middle School and Forest High School. Help give my students the opportunity to participate in Esports competitions in order to receive college scholarships.
The following students placed in the top 12 in the Personal Finance Challenge 2023 for Middle School. They will compete at state on April 20, 2023 as a team.
Maleihya Jones, Rafael Francisco Gomez, Jon McGee, Hayden Quigley
Forest Bearcats ESPORTS
Hawkins Middle School and Forest High School are starting a new club next year! If anyone would like to donate any Playstation 4 or Nintendo Switch consoles to help kickstart the program, please bring them to Hawkins Middle School.
HMS Celebrates School Resource Officer Day! Thank you officer Coshune Bingham for your dedication to Hawkins Middle School and Forest Municipal School District.
Hawkins Middle School would like to thank Lackey Memorial Hospital and its providers for conducting free physical assessments for our athletes. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to take care of our students!
ATTENTION HMS PARENTS:
There was a mistake on
the "Important Dates" that went home on the Progress Reports last week.
February 20th, is NOT a holiday for students. ALL students are to be present on this date.
Substitute Recruiting Event
WIN JOB CENTER
536 Deerfield Dr, Forest, MS 39074
9 AM – 12 PM
Monday 1/23 & Thursday 1/26
FMSD Open House!
Thursday, January 12th
3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Due to current weather conditions, FMSD will delay school start time until 10:15 this morning to ensure the safety of
our staff and students. Please ensure you check devices for any additional updates and notifications.

Due to current weather conditions, FMSD will delay school start time until 10:15 this morning to ensure the safety of
our staff and students. Please ensure you check devices for any additional updates and notifications.

Due to the possibility of inclement weather, we will dismiss early today,
FES car riders at 1:45 and bus riders at 2:00PM
HMS 1:30 PM. FHS 2:00 PM.