Third grade students in Biloxi Public Schools will be participating in a Pillow Case Project, a program designed to help students prepare for and psychologically deal with disasters.

The Pillow Case Project, which will be conducted at various times through the year, was created as a result of a heightened need for psychological support and preparedness for children after Hurricane Katrina.

The American Red Cross partnered with Save the Children in the effort.

The Pillow Case Project will provide in-class activities and pillow cases to be used for evacuation essentials that will give third students a sense of their own preparedness. There will be a few "goodies" in the pillow cases including suggestions for the kids own personal items.

Objectives of the activities in the program:

1. Teaching the children to focus on their specific, family-assigned tasks during a disaster.

2. Basic home safety and how to stay safe in the event of separation from their family during a disaster.

3. Having a disaster plan, which will include some take home materials to engage families.

4. Developing preparedness kits.

Back to school night: Biloxi Junior High School will hold Back to School Night on Tuesday, Aug. 24, beginning at 6 p.m. Hear all about it from Principal Carl Fantroy by clicking here.

August school board meeting: To see photos from the Aug. 17 meeting of the Biloxi school board, click here.

Students in spotlight: Jacards Worthen of Biloxi High School will be in Jackson today to be recognized by the State Board of Education Meeting for the winning ProStart Culinary team for Mississippi. BHS students Michaela Moore and Carlton Warnberg will take part in the City of Biloxi's Katrina memorial observance on the Town Green on Sunday, Aug. 29, the fifth anniversary of the storm.