February
25, 2005
National
Board Certified Teachers will
receive recognition Feb. 28,
MCS teacher leads state’s
DREAM Team to recruit more
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Avon Lenox
Principal Margaret Bland-McKissack
began encouraging Debra Wright to
apply for National Board Certification
in 1994. When Wright finally decided
to begin the arduous process, tragedy
struck her family.
Wright
began the certification process
in October 2004. In November, her
mother was diagnosed with breast
cancer. Wright learned of her certification
one day after her mother passed
away.
“At
first, I jumped up and screamed
I was so excited,”
said the Avon Lenox special education
teacher.
“Then, I just started crying.
If my mother had just hung on one
extra day, she would have learned
that I was certified.”
And
soon, Wright’s mother would
have been even prouder. The National
Board tapped Wright to join its
DREAM Team of teachers across the
country who recruit others to go
through the National Board Certification
process. Wright is the DREAM Team
member for the entire state of
Tennessee.
Wright
is working with Yvonne Allen of
the Tennessee Department of Education,
Pat Sutton and Greg Keith of the
MCS Teaching & Learning Academy
and Deb Moberly of the University
of Memphis to recruit teachers
to try to obtain National Board
Certification and to support those
going through the process. Keith,
teacher induction staff development
coordinator, schedules, publicizes
and facilitates information sessions
three times a semester for teachers.
Sutton, professional development
coordinator, oversees the recruitment
and certification process for Memphis
City Schools.
Memphis
City Schools leads the state with
its 39 National Board Certified
Teachers, but Tennessee still has
one of the lowest numbers in the
country. The DREAM Team is trying
to change that by providing each
state with a contact who will lead
the way in encouraging other teachers
to go through the process.
“The
fact that we have so many National
Board certified teachers is a strong
indicator that Memphis City Schools
teachers take the opportunity to
improve their instructional capabilities
very seriously,” said Freda
Williams, professional development
coordinator for the district’s
Teaching & Learning Academy.
“We see this as an opportunity
to improve student achievement in
the district, as well as professional
development.”
Memphis
City Schools is so proud of its
National Board Certified Teachers
that the district will honor
the latest group of teachers
to receive certification, including
Wright, on Feb. 28 at 4 p.m.
at the Telecommunications Auditorium
at the Teaching & Learning
Academy, 2485 Union Ave.
District officials recognize that
the certification process isn’t
an easy one. Teachers go through
a rigorous process to become certified
by the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards, strong evidence
of these teachers’
commitment to education.
The
certification process is an extensive
series of performance-based assessments
that includes teaching portfolios,
student work samples, videotapes
and thorough analyses of the candidates'
classroom teaching and student
learning. Teachers also complete
a series of written exercises that
probe the depth of their subject-matter
knowledge, as well as their understanding
of how to teach those subjects
to their students. Wright’s
job is to provide support along
the way.
“We
plan to set up networking sessions
and formal support groups for people
in the certification process,” said
Wright, who has taught at Avon
Lenox for 13 years. “To encourage
others, we’ll speak at meetings
and in-services, as well as Greek
organizations and churches.”
To
further encourage Memphis City
Schools teachers to pursue accreditation,
the district offers a Pre-Candidacy
Program, a structured assistance
program held in collaboration with
the University of Memphis. The
program offers a simulation of
the national board evaluation process
through a three-hour graduate course.
In addition, Memphis City Schools
teachers receiving National Board
Certification can earn a $6,000
to $10,000 pay increase.
“Memphis
City Schools teachers are some
of the best in the nation,” said
Dr. Carol R. Johnson, superintendent
of Memphis City Schools. “They
are dedicated to student achievement,
and they are dedicated to the education
of every child in the district.
I would encourage every teacher
to aim high and work toward National
Board Certification.”
Memphis
City Schools National Board Certified
Teachers:
Stephanie
Benton, Holmes Road Elementary
Leslie Blakeburn, John P. Freeman
School
Deborah Bledsoe, Hickory Ridge Elementary
Rhonda Borden, A.B. Hill Elementary
Catherine Brannan, Oak Forest Elementary
Jacqueline Cook, Oak Forest Elementary
Kathy Cooper, Brownsville Road Elementary
Rica Michelle Davis, Oak Forest Elementary
Donya Michelle Dodson , Hamilton
Elementary
Nelson Dougherty, Craigmont Middle
Cathy Doyle, White Station Elementary
Maryellen Eaves, Getwell Elementary
Pamela Fowler, A.B. Hill Elementary
Josephine Franklin, Westwood Elementary
Nancy French Freeman, Lester Elementary
LeAnne Fryman, Ridgeway Middle
Etta Gentry, Raineshaven Elementary
Myra Govea de Arce, Snowden School
and Cypress Middle
Patty Hester, Oakhaven Elementary
Frances Kathy Howell, Oak Forest
Elementary
Dianne Johnson, Whitehaven Elementary
Katherine Johnson, Downtown Elementary
Janet Jones, Graves Elementary
Melissa Lonneman, Cordova Elementary
Barry McCrory, White Station High
D. Jack Maxwell, Downtown Elementary
Shirley McMorris, Hickory Ridge Elementary
Victoria Morton, White Station Middle
Nancy Parrish, Ridgeway Middle
Suzanne Porter, Brownsville Road
Elementary
Jo Pratt, White Station Elementary
Mary Margaret Rose, Oak Forest Elementary
Emily Boone Ruch, Overton High
Brenda Sandridge, Treadwell Elementary
James Starron, Ridgeway High
Penny Tubbs, Fairley Elementary
Nancy Wilder, Ridgeway Middle
Debra Wright, Avon-Lenox
Michele Wright, Crump Elementary
February
24, 2005
Prestigious
dance company to spend week
at Memphis City Schools
Memphis,
Tenn. — Ailey
II, the prestigious junior company
of Alvin Ailey American Dance
Theater, will return to Memphis
for a weeklong residency program
at two Memphis City Schools.
Colonial
Middle School and Kirby Middle
School will host the dance company
from Feb. 21 –
25. The group’s visit to Memphis
will culminate with a performance
at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at
the Orpheum Theater. Ticket prices
range from $15 to $45 and can be
purchased at the Orpheum Box Office,
525-3000, by calling Ticketmaster,
743-ARTS (2787) or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
The
program at the schools is sponsored
by the Cultural Development Foundation
of Memphis.
"Revelations: An Interdisciplinary
Approach,"
is a curriculum-based educational
residency program that allows teachers
and students to examine Alvin Ailey’s
signature work,
"Revelations," through
social, cultural, historical and
aesthetic lenses, connecting it to
subjects such as language arts, history
and social studies. More than 300
sixth, seventh and eighth grade students
will participate in the program designed
to promote learning by engaging students’ analytic
and creative thinking skills, while
introducing them to the work and
mission of Alvin Ailey.
Celebrating
its 30th anniversary, the company
continues to astound audiences
across the country. Under Sylvia
Waters’ artistic direction,
Ailey II’s repertory for
this performance includes a diverse
array of ballets ranging from Alvin
Ailey’s masterpiece "Revelations"
to "…of Urban Intimacies,"
the innovative and fresh creation
of choreographer Marlies Yearby.
The
mission of Cultural Development
Foundation of Memphis, founded
in 2000 by Rebecca Edwards, is
to provide culturally diverse artistic
experiences that enrich the lives
of school-aged children and their
families. CDFM performances feature
ethnic-minority artists and address
multi-cultural themes. In its four
seasons, CDFM performances have
reached more than 32,000 audience
members, including nearly 20,000
students ages 8 to 18. Since its
inception, CDFM has made a strong
commitment to market its productions
to the whole community, taking
steps to reach diverse audiences
from a variety of backgrounds.
In 2004 the organization made history
by presenting the first performance
(Ailey II) to sell out at The Cannon
Center for the 15 Performing Arts.
Information about CDFM is posted
at www.cdfmemphis.org.
February
24, 2005
Hillcrest
High students learn history
from Negro League players
Memphis,
Tenn. — The students of Hillcrest
High School had the opportunity
to meet living legends when original
members of the Negro Baseball League
spoke to them earlier this month
as a reward for having perfect
attendance during the TCAP Writing
Assessment.
Former
Negro League baseball players Lee
Mabon from the Indianapolis Clowns,
James Woods from the Birmingham
Black Barons, George "Chin"
Davis from the Kansas City Monarchs
and Joe B. Scott from the Memphis
Red Sox spoke to an audience of mostly
11th grade students on Feb. 15, encouraging
the students to be disciplined, do
their best and stay in school, as
well as enlightening them with personal
experiences.
Each
player spoke about how playing
baseball during the time of the
Negro League gave African Americans
a sense of pride in themselves
and in the community. They stressed
the fact that even though they
did not make a lot of money, they
played for the love of the game
and provided an opportunity for
black people today to play professional
sports.
Scott,
84, is the only living local Red
Sox player. He shared stories of
his teammates, team owners and
the stadium where they played.
He also brought autographed baseball
cards for the students that featured
him as the first black man to play
at Wrigley Field in 1937, complete
with all of his statistics on the
back.
At
the close of the program, students
asked the players questions and
participated in an autograph session.
Papers, shirts, books, posters
and baseballs (brought in by Hillcrest's
baseball team) were signed, and
the students took photographs with
the players.
The
program was a reward for the students
having nearly 100 percent participation
on the TCAP Writing Assessment
Test, in which students have to
write a persuasive essay in 25
minutes on a specified topic.
Although
passing of the test is not required
for students to graduate, receiving
a high overall percentage contributes
to determining whether a school
makes Adequate Yearly Progress
under No Child Left Behind standards.
Last
year, due to a significant increase
in all test scores at the school,
Hillcrest was removed from the
list. In fact, this year's Mr.
Hillcrest, Brandon Spivey, made
a perfect score on last year's
writing assessment. Principal Carolyn
H. Shaw and her staff are anticipating
even more success on this year's
test.
February
24, 2005
Project
PRIDE teaches Cummings Elem.
students about black history
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis,
Tenn. — Cummings Elementary
School third graders have had the
opportunity for enhanced African-American
education through a special program
developed by two of their teachers.
Tosha
Allen and Cassandra Moore, third
grade teachers, and Lisa Frieson,
facilitator, received a $925 grant
from the Junior League of Memphis
to develop Project PRIDE (Promoting
Reading and Igniting Drama Everywhere).
Since
it began on Dec. 1, the program
has taught third graders about
African-American literature and
encouraged them to be creative
and imaginative. Students participating
in the program have participated
in book chats, knowledge bowls
and music and drama performances.
The project also included a trip
on Feb. 4 to the Cannon Center
to see “Freedom Train.”
The
culminating experience of the program
will be the Annual Cummings Black
History Month Program, "Reflect
Back & Look Forward."
The program will be held on Friday,
Feb. 25, at 9 a.m. at the school,
1037 Cummings. The third grade production
will include music, poems, dance
and drama.
February
23, 2005
LaRose
Elem. students receive awards
for MCS Reads achievements
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — The hard work
LaRose Elementary students have put
into achieving their Memphis
City Schools Reads requirements
will pay off Friday when six students
receive new bicycles.
At
the fourth six weeks honor program
on Friday, Feb. 25, at 9 a.m. in
the LaRose cafetorium, 64 Willoughby,
U.S. Marine Corps representatives
will present six new bicycles to
students who have read 25 or more
books as part of the MCS Reads campaign.
One student per grade level (K-5)
whose name is drawn from the group
of students who have read at least
25 books will receive a bike.
The
U.S. Marine Corps Color Guard will
be on hand for the presentation
of colors. In addition, the Marine
Corps representatives will present
each student with perfect attendance
with a small gift.
February
23, 2005
Craigmont
High to hold Black History
Program with A C Wharton
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Craigmont
High School students will learn about
the accomplishments of black Americans
in a special program Thursday afternoon.
The
school will hold its annual Black
History Program at 1 p.m. Thursday,
Feb. 24, at the school, 3333 Covington
Pike. The program will highlight
the achievements of black scientists,
mathematicians and engineers. In
addition, Shelby County Mayor A
C Wharton will be on hand as the
guest of honor.
February
18, 2005
Lanier
Middle students tour studio
of MCS Reads sponsor K97
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis,
Tenn. — Nine Lanier Middle
School students were honored for
their achievements in the Memphis
City Schools Reads literacy initiative
with a trip to a Memphis radio
station, where they met the station’s
on-air personalities.
The
nine students who read the most
books at Lanier Middle, the December
MCS Reads Middle School of the
Month, took a trip Wednesday to
Clear Channel Radio Memphis, thanks
to WHRK/K97's sponsorship of the
reading program.
“We
appreciate what Dr. Johnson is
trying to accomplish with this
reading initiative and stand behind
her 100 percent,” said Jae
Henderson, Clear Channel assistant
director of community affairs. “We’re
happy to encourage students to
read and focus on school in any
way possible.”
The
students’ trip involved breakfast
with K97 staff members, a tour
of Clear Channel's offices and
studios and a visit with K97's
Mike Evans and the Early Morning
Team. The trip is a monthly treat
that will be awarded to students
representing the MCS Reads High/Middle
School of the Month. In addition,
K97 is also awarding two students
per month the opportunity to assist
the station’s DJs on the
air.
To
become a sponsor for MCS Reads,
contact Marketing Communications
Manager Nikita Flynn or No Child
Left Behind Communications Manager
Renee Malone in the Memphis City
Schools Department of Communications
and Public Affairs at 416-5628.
February
18, 2005
Magnolia
Elem. to honor former principals
for Black History Month
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — A group of
Magnolia Elementary alumni will honor
leaders of the school in a special
Black History Month ceremony next
week.
Harry
Mae Simon and Jacquelyn B. Sales,
the former and current Magnolia
Elementary principal, respectively,
will be honored by their former
students in a portrait unveiling
on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 8:30 a.m.
at Magnolia Elementary School,
2061 Livewell Circle.
Simon
served the Magnolia community for
45 years, and Sales, the school’s
current principal, has been serving
this community for 25 years.
“We
have all been blessed with the
greatness in Ms. Sales and Ms.
Simon,” said Osie Lewis,
the alumnus who is heading up the
event.
“They both have made a major
difference in the lives of children.
For this, we salute and honor them
through this special ceremony and
occasion.”
February
14, 2005
Isaac
Hayes Foundation awards grants
to Memphis City Schools
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Isaac Hayes
will present grants of $2,500 each
to two Memphis City Schools to further
music education through his non-profit
organization, the Isaac Hayes Foundation.
Hayes
will present a grant at Manassas
High School at 9 a.m. on Wednesday,
Feb. 16, and he will present another
at 11 a.m. that day at Humes Junior
High School.
Hayes
selected these two schools because
he is an alumnus of Manassas and
because Humes is one of Manassas’s
feeder schools. In addition, both
schools’ students qualify
for a high percentage of free or
reduced lunch federal subsidies.
The
Isaac Hayes Foundation is dedicated
to assisting under-served and vulnerable
populations by awarding grants
to pre-collegiate schools in those
areas. Grant monies support musical
programs in poverty-stricken areas
throughout the United States. The
foundation works to provide funds
for schools to start a music education
program and/or purchase instruments
for music programs already in existence.
“We
know that music education has a
strong effect on critical thinking,
language arts, mathematical ability,
literacy and emotions,” Hayes
said. “It is a discipline
that, along with art, has all but
disappeared from public schools
in disadvantaged communities. Our
efforts will hopefully expose the
children in these schools to the
arts and arts careers.”
February
14, 2005
MCS
to hold Orff Music Concert
featuring elementary students
By
Danyelle Harris, Orff Publicity
Chairperson
Memphis, Tenn. — Science
will come alive with a musical explosion
at this year’s annual Memphis
City Schools Orff Music Concert, “Sounds
of the Elements.”
More
than 300 elementary students from
77 Memphis City Schools will sing,
dance and play as they perform
music representing the four elements.
The students’ performance
will take on the sounds of the
earth and the air, with pieces
titled "Wade in the Water"
and "Turn the World Around.”
The
concert will be held on Thursday,
March 10 at 7 p.m. at Ridgeway
High School, 2009 Ridgeway. Admission
is free. To prepare for the concert,
the students will rehearse from
9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
March 9, and Thursday, March 10,
at the Ridgeway High School auditorium.
February
11, 2005
MCS
elementary counselors help
raise money for WKNO, raise
visibility for profession through
semi-annual fundraising drives
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Every elementary
school in the Memphis City Schools
district has a counselor who guides
students and families in a variety
of ways. However, some parents don’t
know that the counselors even exist.
So
19 years ago, Myrtle Malone, Gordon
Elementary counselor, came up with
a way to increase the visibility
of elementary counselors in Memphis.
She and a group of about 20 other
counselors volunteer every spring
and winter on the WKNO Winter Fest
and Spring Fest pledge drives by
answering phones.
“It’s
a good way to increase public awareness
of our positions,” Malone
said. “The pledge hosts always
mention that we are MCS counselors
and that we are in the viewers’
children’s schools to help.”
Apparently,
the publicity works. After every
drive, counselors receive phone
calls from parents who saw them
on the television and need their
help. Sometimes, parents even call
the counselors during the pledge
drives, saying they had no idea
the counselors could do so much
to help.
“Volunteering
puts MCS in a positive light instead
of the negative light in which
it is often portrayed,”
said Shirley Price, Jackson Elementary
counselor.
“As professional school counselors,
it specifically sheds light on the
many hats we wear and the leadership
qualities we possess as we demonstrate
partnerships within the community
we serve.”
Elementary
counselors provide direct assistance
to students, including helping
provide uniforms, glasses and shoes.
They also provide family, discipline,
grief and divorce counseling for
students and teachers.
“We
want to show the parents that we’re
hear all the time to help,” Malone
said,
“not just when something bad
happens.”
Volunteering
for WKNO also provides the counselors
an opportunity to get to know each
other better and learn from each
other by sharing stories and ideas
during breaks, Malone said.
“The
counselors really look forward
to the volunteer opportunities,” Malone
said. “They’re excited
about the opportunity for fellowship
and the opportunity to help the
community.”
February
11, 2005
New
teachers receive special guidance
at White Station High School
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — When Arlisha
Darby made the jump from an elementary
school teacher’s assistant
to a White Station High School biology
and physical science teacher, the
move was made easier by a support
group called NEWS.
New
Educators at White Station gave
Darby the support she needed to
make her transition an easy one
with biweekly support meetings
and help on learning the ropes.
“It’s
all about the environment, and
the support I received here as
a new teacher made my transition
very easy,” Darby said. “The
NEWS meetings give new teachers
a chance to vent as well as get
information on testing and professional
development.”
NEWS was created by White Station
Assistant Principal Tamala Boyd.
Boyd read an article that said that
most new teachers leave the profession
within three years, and she wanted
to do something to change that.
So
Boyd developed the idea of having
a support group of new teachers
who could meet together and share
their experiences, as well as receive
guidance from mentor teachers.
“Sometimes
teachers have to throw away what
they learned in the classroom and
look at what works for your classroom,” Boyd
said. “Through NEWS, teachers
get a chance to know each other
and learn from each other.”
The
group is a good way for new teachers
to make themselves known in a school
that has 115 teachers and more
than 2,000 students. And because
the group is led by an administrator,
Boyd said the new teachers can
feel comfortable with their leaders
immediately.
Much
of the focus of NEWS is on housekeeping
issues
— testing procedures, different
forms, meetings and other issues
particular to Memphis City Schools
and to White Station High School.
The meetings offer new teachers different
perspectives from guest speakers
like professional development facilitators
and guidance counselors.
“The
program has helped a lot,” said
Alison Duffy, a ninth grade honor
English teacher.
“What is the good of having
information if you can’t share
it? We get that opportunity through
NEWS.”
Boyd
plans to use this year’s
new teachers to help new teachers
in the following years, as well.
She sees this year’s class
serving as sponsors for new teachers
next year and eventually as mentors.
“The
benefits of this program are creating
a culture of stability at White
Station High School,”
Boyd said. “Many of our teachers
have been here for more than 20 years,
and we want our new teachers to be
around for as long.”
February
11, 2005
Ridgeway
Middle principal Roderick Richmond’s
discipline initiatives keep
control, give students sense
of ownership
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — When Roderick
Richmond was Ross Elementary School
principal, people were impressed
with his innovative discipline programs,
but they told him that disciplining
younger children wasn't as challenging
as perhaps managing middle and high
school students. So when he became
principal of Ridgeway Middle School,
Richmond was expecting a challenge,
and that’s what he got.
However,
thanks to Richmond’s positive
attitude and respect for his students,
his initiatives are working well
with his older students, and he
expects them to work even better
in years to come.
Richmond
has implemented several safety
programs at his school to keep
order and teach students self-control.
The initiatives target behavior
in the school, in the cafeteria
and on the bus.
“Students
need to know what you expect of
them and what the rewards and consequences
of those expectations are,” Richmond
said. “By spelling it out
for them, you can better motivate
students and encourage good behavior
in the schools.”
Fight-Free
School was the first program Richmond
initiated at Ross, and he brought
it over to Ridgeway, as well. The
program, which Richmond patterned
from the book “School Violence:
Calming the Storm,” rewards
students for the number of school
days in which there are no fights.
Rewards
range from dressing out of uniform
on a Friday to school wide no-homework
days to school dances. Richmond
stresses to the students that it
is their program and that it is
in their hands. At the beginning
of the school year, he held a contest
for a student to design a fight-free
flag. That flag is flown each school
day that there are no fights. When
there is a fight, the students
who fought must lower the flag.
“We
have to encourage students to take
ownership of their schools and
their behavior,”
Richmond said. “I try to stress
that good behavior and bad behavior
have consequences.”
One
of Richmond’s top priorities
as a school leader is to create
a safe and structured environment
that lends itself to the learning
process. To do that, he said, a
school needs programs that give
students and faculty members a
sense of ownership and responsibility.
So
Richmond put each of his assistant
principals, Michael Ayers and Blakely
Wallace, in charge of developing
a program to encourage safe behavior
in the cafeteria and on the bus.
They came up with the Roadrunner
Café
and Runnin’ the Road. The programs
are similar to Fight-Free School
in that good behavior, like lining
up quietly and not receiving bus
referrals, is rewarded.
Richmond
also encourages the teachers to
develop their own initiatives.
For example, teams can have fight
free rewards.
He
is also making an effort to involve
parents with the Men of Ridgeway
Excelling, or MORE, group. He began
the program at Ross, where it was
called Men of Ross Elementary.
It involves fathers taking an active
role in their children’s
education by participating in a
service learning project and helping
them become responsible young men,
Richmond said.
“We
have to find ways to not only punish
students who do the wrong thing,
but also reward students who do
the right thing,” Richmond
said. So everyday, his end-of-the-day
announcement focuses on the good.
He tells the school the number
of students who “did the
right thing” that day.
February
11, 2005
Overton
counselor, community professional
found Web site to help college-bound
students with application,
financial aid process
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Students
may find the process of applying to
college hard. There are tests to take,
dates to remember, forms to complete
and decisions to make. It can seem
overwhelming, and Amy Ragland, Overton
High senior counselor, knows all about
it.
Ragland
sees students every day who don’t
know what to do or where to turn.
So when Jae Henderson, Clear Channel
assistant director of public affairs,
approached her with an idea for
a college assistance Web site,
Ragland jumped at the idea.
Henderson
obtained a $1,500 grant from Youth
United Way and set up the site.
Iamcollegebound.com is a one-stop
shop for eighth graders through high
school seniors interested in attending
college. The site offers a to-do
timeline and information about tests
and scholarships and hosts a live
Web chat every two months.
“I
have to admit that I was a little
skeptical about how many people
would actually visit the Web site,” Ragland
said. “I was so surprised
that when I hosted a Web chat,
there were quite a few students.
It was wonderful not only because
were they getting help from me,
they were helping each other.”
Ragland
and Henderson want to take their
idea for providing free college
application assistance to the next
level with plans to found a non-profit
college counseling service for
students. Their plan is part of
their coursework for the Memphis
Leadership Academy, and they hope
to put it into effect in November
2005.
“There
are so many students out there
who want to go to college but don’t
know what to do,” Henderson
said. “We want to ensure
that every child who wants to go
to college has help getting there.”
February
7, 2005
Raleigh-Egypt
High takes on new literacy
project for ‘MCS Reads’
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Instead of
paper hearts and valentines, Raleigh-Egypt
High School students will receive
special gifts this Feb. 14. Each
student will receive a book to encourage
them to read more through the Memphis
City Schools Reads and Read
to Achieve literacy initiatives.
Each
student will receive a copy of “Miracle’s
Boys,” by Jacqueline Woodson,
along with a bookmark, candy and
a copy of a poem written by JoAnn
Hollenbach, 11th grade REHS English
teacher. The books will be distributed
during students’ English
classes.
Each
faculty member will also receive
a copy of the book, and the entire
school community will read the
book together. Once everyone has
read the book, each grade level
will complete a project showing
what they learned.
“We
want to encourage our young people
to develop a lifelong love for
learning and reading,”
said Raleigh-Egypt High Principal
Dr. Oscar Love. “This reading
initiative is a way to include everyone
in the school community in literacy
efforts.”
“
Happy Valentine’s Day” by
JoAnn Hollenbach
“
I love Raleigh-Egypt!” you
all love to shout,
And when you yell it at pep rallies,
you mean it, no doubt!
And because we’re family, Raleigh-Egypt
loves you, too.
That’s why we have a valentine
for you!
To us, you are special — you’re
our very own,
And just like your parents, we’ve
watched as you’ve grown.
We want all Pharaohs to be the brightest
and best,
And we know if you read, you’ll
do better on tests!
So here’s “Miracle’s
Boys,”
a book about three brothers
Who’ve lost both their parents
and must depend on each other.
Each one is dealing with problems
in his life,
And Charlie, the middle one, is causing
most of the strife!
But as you read the story, you’ll
begin to understand,
Charlie’s life isn’t
going at all as he had planned.
The three succeed together — they
don’t do well apart.
Each of Miracle’s boys will
eventually win your heart.
Our entire school is reading this
book; we hope it will be fun.
Then we can ask Dr. Love, “Can
we read another one?
February
5, 2005
Memphis
City Schools to celebrate Aviation
Week from Feb. 14 - 18
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City
Schools students will be flying high
during the week of Feb. 14, Aviation
Week.
From
Feb. 14 – 18, Memphis City
Schools will celebrate Aviation
Week. To help celebrate and to
share their knowledge, volunteers
will share different aspects of
aviation-related careers with elementary,
middle and high school students.
The
volunteer group, led by local and
regional chapters of Tuskegee Airmen
and the Organization of Black Airline
Pilots, includes airline pilots,
mechanics, air traffic controllers,
meteorologists and engineers. The
volunteers will interact with more
than 20,000 students during the
week.
The
culmination of the week will take
place on Saturday, Feb. 19. The
volunteers will sponsor a free
Aviation Career Fair at the airport
location of Tennessee Technology
Center, 3435 Tchulahoma Road, from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Representatives
from colleges, universities and
training schools will be at the
event to discuss their programs.
There will also be static displays
of several aircrafts, and aviation
volunteers, joined by several of
original Tuskegee Airmen, will
interact with visitors.
Also
part of the week is an essay contest
in the schools. Students will compete
for flight lessons by writing essays
with the theme,
“I Dream to Fly.”
February
4, 2005
MCS
Alternative Schools students
compete in national essay contest
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City
Schools’
Alternative Schools have been offered
the opportunity to participate in
a national essay contest through
the Hans Christian Anderson Foundation
and Every Child Is Ours.
The
contest is designed to encourage
students to read and to help them
improve creative writing skills.
It is open to students in grades
4 – 7 and will be conducted
within the schools. The essay should
be no more than 250 words and should
address the contest topic,
"Describe a Lesson Children
Can Learn by Reading This Story.”
Kenneth
Robinson, principal of Hamilton
Alternative School, and his faculty
have chosen "The Ugly Duckling" to
present to elementary students
across the district for their service
learning project. Students will
write essays on the story. The
Hans Christian Anderson Foundation
donated 500 books for the project,
which will be given to the elementary
students during the Hamilton students’ service
learning visits.
Richard
Swett, former Congressman of New
Hampshire and former ambassador
to Denmark, is on the board of
the Hans Christian Anderson Foundation.
He will fly here to receive and
reward the winning essays on Feb.
17, at 9 a.m. in South Side High
School's auditorium, 1880 Prospect.
February
4, 2005
Winchester
Elem. to honor black Memphians,
encourage literacy
By
Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net
Memphis, Tenn. — Winchester
Elementary School will sponsor a
special event during February to
honor Black History Month, encourage
literacy and to involve community
members in school life.
“Memphians
on the Move Day” will invite
notable black Memphians to visit
Winchester Elementary, 3587 Boengshire,
on Friday, Feb. 25, from 8 to 10
a.m. In honor of the Memphis City
Schools Reads literacy initiative,
each guest will read one of their
favorite books by an black author
to a couple of classes. They will
also talk to students about their
work and its importance to the
community.
To
participate in “Memphians
on the Move Day,” call Mrs.
Barton, Winchester Elementary secretary,
at 416-3152 to secure a place on
the calendar.
February
4, 2005
Downtown
Elementary student completes
special project on construction
of FedExForum, will be honored
by Grizzlies
By
Stephanie Myers and Dr. D. Jackson
Maxwell
Memphis,
Tenn. — Students rarely ask
for extra work outside school,
but Downtown Elementary School
third grader RaShad Smith is an
exception. Now, the Memphis Grizzlies
will honor RaShad for his hard
work.
As
a second grader last year, RaShad
spoke to his teacher, Janice Pankey,
and his mother, Marilyn Smith,
about his love for special projects.
The three discussed possible undertakings
for RaShad and came up with one
that sparked the boy’s imagination.
RaShad
was living next door to the FedExForum
construction site and could see
the action from his window. Taking
his everyday observations of the
site, RaShad decided to create
a research-based project called “The
FedEx Forum From My Window.”
“The
project was not even for a grade,” Pankey
said. “RaShad just loves
projects, and his mother supports
all he does.”
For
the next nine months, the youngster
made observations, recorded activity
and took photographs with a camera
his mother gave him for the project,
as he watched the FedExForum being
built. At the end of his observation
period, RaShad took what he learned
and developed a science fair-like
presentation to describe and display
his findings.
“My
uncle Michael Bolder worked on
the building and took some pictures
from inside,”
RaShad said. “I was surprised
at how long it took to build the
Forum. I liked watching it being
built and getting the toy trucks.”
RaShad,
now a third grader in Kathy Johnson’s
class, finished his project, and
the end result is a comprehensive
study of the construction of a
world-class arena in the heart
of downtown Memphis. The project
is on display in the Downtown Elementary
School library, 10 N. Fourth St.
Members
of the Memphis Grizzlies organization
heard about the project and will
visit the school’s library
on Thursday, Feb. 3, to honor RaShad
and present him with gifts.
“I
have been teaching for more than
12 years, and I have never seen
a student project attract so much
attention from both students and
adults,”
said school librarian Dr. D. Jackson
Maxwell.
“RaShad is one of those outstanding
children who is eager to learn and
constantly seeks out new challenges.”
Encouraging
students to study their passions
is part of the teaching philosophy
of Downtown Elementary School.
The school, under the leadership
of Principal Marcia Wunderlich,
takes unique approaches in challenging
the status quo of education, Maxwell
said. The school’s curriculum
and optional programs encourage
creative thinking and exploration
and motivate children to take learning
to a higher level.
“Downtown
Elementary School’s mission
is to challenge our students to
rise to the highest level of academic
success,” Jackson said.
“RaShad is a shining example
of a child who is thriving in our
unique educational environment. Through
our encouragement, RaShad is now
an independent learner who will use
the skills he’s learned at
Downtown Elementary to become a lifelong
learner.”
Students
visiting RaShad’s display
in the library have been impressed
with RaShad’s inclusion of
miniature vehicles as construction
equipment models. RaShad connected
the toy models to his display board,
along with photographs of the Forum’s
construction and a written report
of his observations. His report
is as follows:
One
day I moved into Owens Place,
not knowing the Grizzlies’ stadium
would be right across the street
from me. I love the Grizzlies.
I am a big fan. I want the names
of all the Grizzlies players.
I think that would be very cool
to have the signatures of all
the Grizzlies players. I want
them to sign my basketball and
my Read To Achieve T-shirt. I
would be filled with joy and
honor.
My cousin Michael was a part of the
building of The FedExForum. He worked
there for many months. From my window
I watched as they dug the big hole
to start the Forum. Days and days
went by as the building came together.
I watched them push over warehouses.
It was so much fun to watch all of
these things. We took pictures of
some of the day-to-day things. I
was so excited I asked my mom if
I could have the different trucks
they used. Please look at my project
to see what was used and how it came
together.
February
2, 2005
Memphis
City Schools schedule informational
meetings on proposed school
mergers
Memphis,
Tenn. – Community Members
will have an opportunity to receive
detailed information and voice
their opinions at five informational
meetings about the proposed merger
