January 31, 2005

MCS calls on community to rally around Blue Ribbon Plan; Community conversation about behavior and expectations scheduled for Thursday, February 3

Memphis, Tenn. - Memphis City Schools’ superintendent, Dr. Carol Johnson, is keeping her promise to involve community leaders, families, students and educators in the discussion of adopting alternative behavior strategies to replace corporal punishment. In November, the MCS Board of Education abolished the use of corporal punishment which will be phased out at the end of the school year.

The school district will hold a Community Conversation about Behavior and Expectations on Thursday, February 3 from 7:15 a.m. – noon at World Overcomers Outreach Ministries Church, located at 8655 Winchester Road. Invitations have already been mailed to 600 people including community leaders, parents, students and educators.

“We can only be successful if we work together to establish and model common messages to our youth about their promise and expectations for them,” said Dr, Carol Johnson. “Our schools are a reflection of society and for all of our schools to continue to be safe, respectful places, our homes and communities must be as well.”

The intent of the meeting is to send a clarion call to schools, families and communities to establish and clearly communicate consistent messages about behavior expectations. MCS will use Search Institute research from the 40 Developmental Assets and the school system’s Blue Ribbon Plan to frame the discussion about academic achievement and successful youth development. The group will also hear from guest speaker, David Walsh, who is the president and founder of the National Institute on Media and the Family. Following Walsh’s remarks, facilitators will conduct small group conversations.

“Our vision is that all Memphis City Schools will be safe, orderly environments where students, staff and families share high expectations for academic achievement and personal behavior,” said Johnson. “Likewise, we envision a community in which everyone helps to create a mutually respectful, fair and caring environment where diversity is valued.”

January 31, 2005

PIPE Partners with Memphis City Schools to Encourage Literacy

Memphis, Tenn. – In a groundbreaking effort for Memphis City Schools, Partners In Public Education (PIPE) has partnered with the school district to promote MCS Reads, the premier literacy program of MCS through several public service announcements highlighting the importance of reading. Since its inception in August 2004, elementary, middle and high schools have embarked upon the journey of increasing literacy and academic achievement in Memphis City Schools.

Beginning Monday, January 31- March 5, 2005, four different PSAs featuring Memphis City Schools students, parents, Superintendent Carol Johnson, as well as business partners A&I Travel, Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Redbirds and Partners In Public Education will begin airing on WMC-TV-5. The PSAs will also run on select Time Warner Cable channels and on Cable 19, the education station owned and operated by Memphis City Schools. All announcements were funded by private sponsorships.

“We are proud to partner with our local schools in this wonderful effort to promote what we believe is a vital component to a successful education,” said Ethele Hilliard, president, Partners In Public Education. “We at PIPE understand the importance of reading not only to benefit a student’s education, but also to achieving great things beyond the classroom.”

Superintendent Carol Johnson initially announced the MCS Reads campaign among an assembly of more than 14,000 MCS employees stressing that literacy is the most important aspect in education, upon which all other results and successes are based. The campaign urges Memphis City Schools’ students, teachers, parents and community members to read a minimum of two or more books per month for a total of 25 per year. In October 2004, MCS Reads “Two for 2”, the incentive arm of the reading campaign, was launched and provides incentives including game tickets, food coupons and other prizes through partnerships with the Memphis Grizzlies, Memphis Redbirds, McDonald’s and other business partners.

“We are excited about the opportunity to embark upon this joint venture with Partners in Public Education in an effort to generate awareness and interest in literacy among our students and in the Memphis community,” said Dr. Carol Johnson. “This strategic partnership is an example of the business support that Memphis City Schools needs to broaden our communication efforts about our academic initiatives.”

PIPE is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of business and community leaders committed to public education. Established in 1993, PIPE raises funds to: support innovations and improvements; expand opportunities for principals, teachers and students; and engage parents and the community in proven efforts to increase achievement. PIPE works in cooperation with the superintendent and board of education to accomplish these goals but is governed independently of Memphis City Schools.

January 28, 2005

U of M, MCS work together for Memphis Literacy Academy
to create master reading teachers, high quality school leaders

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City Schools and The University of Memphis are working together to create master reading teachers and top quality school principals at elementary schools through two special programs.

The University of Memphis will host The Memphis Literacy Academy and The Memphis Fellowship for Principals to help develop 135 master reading teachers and 24 literacy-focused principals in grades K-3 and special education at high-need elementary schools with significant numbers of students reading significantly below proficiency.

The University of Memphis will host two kick-off classes, one for teachers and one for principals, on Saturday, Feb. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in The Zone of the FedEx Institute on The U of M campus. The morning session will be conducted with all participants and will feature opening comments from MCS Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson and U of M President Shirley Raines.

“We at Memphis City Schools are thrilled to be able to join with The University of Memphis on this initiative,” Dr. Johnson said. “It’s a testament to the educational community of Memphis when such an organization uses its resources to help create high-quality literacy educators for the Memphis City Schools district.”

The Memphis Literacy Academy will train Memphis City Schools teachers on research-proven “comprehensive reading” instruction practices for urban children that were originally researched by the Dallas Independent School District to build teacher knowledge and expertise in reading instruction. The model was credited with helping the Dallas school district remove about 26 K-3 schools from the state’s “low performing schools” list after two years of implementation and 30 4-6 schools after just one year.

The Memphis Literacy Academy, sponsored by the Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership at The University of Memphis under Project Director Dr. Robert B. Cooter Jr., will provide a 90-hour capacity-building training program for teachers in grades K-3. The program will be hosted at seven elementary school sites, three hours per week for two semesters, that will be identified by MCS administrators.

Participating elementary schools are Bethel Grove, Brookmeade, Cherokee, Cromwell, Douglass, Evans, Fairley, Ford Road, Frayser, Getwell, Gordon, Grandview Heights, Klondike, Lester, Levi, Lincoln, Locke, Lucie E. Campbell, Raineshaven, Sharpe, South Park, Walker, Whitehaven and White’s Chapel.

Upon successful completion of The Memphis Literacy Academy, participants will earn six hours of graduate credit that may be applied to a graduate degree program, and facilitators of the program will assist participants in applying for the reading specialist endorsement with the Tennessee Department of Education. Teachers will also receive a framed certificate naming them as Memphis Literacy Academy “laureates” and a personalized bronze plaque.

The Memphis Literacy Fellowship for Principals will involve a 45-hour capacity-building training program for principals, three hours per week for 15 weeks, and will be delivered at the Teaching & Learning Academy on a weekly basis.

Upon successful completion of The Memphis Literacy Fellowship for Principals, participants will earn three hours of graduate credit that may be applied to a graduate degree program. Principals will also receive assistance in creating and sustaining effective school-wide reading/literacy programs.

The Department of Instruction and Curriculum Leadership at The University of Memphis is also offering individual principal mentoring, program evaluation and assistance with the selection of textbooks, course materials and classroom materials for teachers and literacy coaches.

January 28, 2005

MCS Driver Education Program class dates approaching

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City Schools will offer driver education programs for new and adult drivers in the next few months that could lower auto insurance rates.

Driver education programs for ages 15 to 20 will meet from 3 – 6 p.m. on Feb. 14 at the Driver Education Center, 2687 Avery, on March 21 at White Station High School, 514 S. Perkins, and on April 18 in the library of Craigmont High School, 3333 Covington Pike. All sessions feature classroom instruction, driving simulation and supervised street driving.

Class will be held only if at least 20 students register at each location. Tuition for drivers age 15 to 20 is $175 for all current Memphis City Schools students and $225 for all other students. Tuition is payable at the first class meeting, and no checks will be accepted. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a half unit class credit as well as an insurance certificate.

The school district is also offering an adult driver education program for drivers ages 21 and up. The adult driver education class will meet from 3 – 6 p.m. on Feb. 14, at the Driver Education Center. Classes will consist of classroom instruction, supervised range driving and supervised street driving.

A minimum of six adults will be required to hold driver education class, and tuition is $300, payable at the first class. Checks will not be accepted.

For information or registration materials, call 416-6458 or 416-5659. Applications must be returned to 2687 Avery for reservations. Faxed applications will not be accepted.

January 28, 2005

Be a tutor - change a life: MCS offers training for volunteer tutors

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis City Schools offer many opportunities for Memphians to make a positive investment in its schools and in the academic achievement of a child. One way is through the district’s premier volunteer tutoring program.

Our Children—Our Future, a program that puts volunteers to work tutoring MCS students, will soon hold its last training sessions for people interested in being volunteer tutors during the 2004-05 academic school year. Trained tutors are paired with students in kindergarten through 12th grade to focus on improving reading and math skills.

“These training programs will offer volunteers the opportunity to become equipped with the tools and materials they need to make their tutoring experience with our students a joint success,” said Barbara Dawson, Our Children—Our Future program manager. “Research has shown that one-on-one tutoring has a tremendous impact on improving students’ academic skills, so we encourage the community to support our program and our students.”

How can you get involved? Simply contact Our Children—Our Future at 416-5732 and enroll in one of the following training sessions, held at the Teaching & Learning Academy, 2485 Union:
Elementary Reading and Math Training
* Thursday, Feb. 10, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Elementary, Middle and High School Reading and Math Training
* Saturday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m. - noon

January 27, 2005

East High programs reward high-achieving students, help others

By Stephanie Myers and Renee Malone, Memphis City Schools

Memphis, Tenn. — East High School is participating in two programs that encourage academic achievement and reward high-achieving students.

East High will host the Paul Robeson Awards Program on Friday Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. to honor 116 students who have maintained a minimum grade point average for this academic year of 3.5 and are involved in a number of extracurricular activities.

“We feel that it is important to honor the students who consistently perform at high levels,” said East High Principal Barbara King. “This program is a way to tell the students that their strong academic efforts are appreciated and to show that hard work is rewarded.”

A community member has set up another program at East that also aims to reward high-performing students, while helping those who need some assistance.

Charles D. McVean, a 1961 graduate of East High school, recently started the 20/20 Program. He is a member of the Greater East High Foundation, which was recently founded to prepare inner city youth to be professional, productive and competitive contributors to the regional economy. The program puts students who have passed the Gateway Exams to work tutoring those who haven’t passed. McVean pays each tutor $10 an hour.

“We can talk about doing what’s right, but I’m a businessman, and I think initiatives of this sort are an economic necessity for the Memphis community,” said McVean. “We hope that we will create some models at East for others to emulate.”

When McVean distributes the paychecks, he also encloses information about managing money. He started an account for each student, and they must save a minimum of 10 percent of their earnings.

Saving money is the best part, said Tiffanie Jones, a 20/20 Program tutor, especially with college right around the corner.

“I’m trying to get a scholarship, but I will also need spending money,” said Jones. “I would not want my parents or anyone else to have to fund my college education.”

January 27, 2005

Color us winners — MCS students draw awards in art contest

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — The winners in the 2005 Mid-South Scholastic Art Awards have been named, and Memphis City Schools students took home 40 percent of the awards from the three-state competition.

Memphis City Schools won almost half of the 283 awards presented for the tri-state area of Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee. The exhibit of award-winning artwork is on display at the Brooks Museum from Jan. 29 to Feb. 13.

Fifty Memphis City Schools students were named Gold Key and Gold Portfolio winners, meaning they will have the opportunity to advance to the national competition in New York City. In addition, 43 city school students were named Silver Key winners, 10 received certificates of merit, two received the American Visions Award, and city school students walked away with the Abstract Composition Award, the Computer Graphics Award, the Design Award and the Photography Award. Memphis City Schools students also took home the best of show, second, third and fourth place awards in the Senior Art category and first place in the Senior Painting category. In all, there were 114 winners from Memphis City Schools.

The awards ceremonies will be Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Memphis College of Art, with a reception following at the Brooks. Middle school awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m., and high school awards will be presented at 3 p.m.

Awards by School:

Central High
Gold – 3
Gold Art Portfolio – 2
Silver – 6
Certificate of Merit – 2
Senior: Best in Show

Cordova High
Gold – 5
Gold Art Portfolio – 3
Gold Photography Portfolio - 1
Silver – 5
Certificate of Merit – 2
Computer Graphics Award

East High
Gold – 1
Gold Art Portfolio – 1
Silver – 3
Abstract Composition Award

Kingsbury Career and Technology Center
Gold – 1

Melrose High
Gold Art Portfolio – 1
Silver – 1
Certificate of Merit –1

Overton High
Gold – 13
Gold Art Portfolio – 7
Gold Photography Portfolio – 4
Silver – 14
Certificate of Merit – 2
Senior: Third and Fourth Place
Senior Painting Award

Westwood High
Silver – 1
Certificate of Merit – 1

White Station High
Gold – 5
Gold Art Portfolio – 3
Silver – 13
Certificate of Merit – 2
Design Award
Photography Award
Senior – Second Place

January 27, 2005

Students produce daily Memphis City Schools news broadcast

By Bernadette Shinault, Memphis City Schools

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City Schools students are keeping the city connected to what’s happening in the school district through a new program on MCS Cable 19.
Memphis City Schools high school students Brittany Douglas and Darrion Garrett, with the help of Ike Griffith, MCS Cable 19-TV operations general manager, have produced a new way of spreading MCS news that they believe will draw the interest of their peers.

“We wanted to create a show that would appeal to parents, teachers and the student body, while supporting the district’s purpose,” Griffith said. With those aspects in mind, District News was born.

District News first aired in November 2004 and continues to air on Cable 19-TV at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

District News is more than a show that updates MCS news, said Douglas, news director for MCS Cable 19-TV and District News anchor. The show is more like an educational program because it includes news that is not printed in newspapers or covered on local news, she said.

The news program also includes a sports segment, anchored by Eddie Williams, and a MCS entertainment segment, anchored by Ivy Johnson. All segments are produced, written and anchored by high school students who attend elective classes at the MCS Telecommunications Center.

District News is beneficial to the MCS student body because it helps students understand aspects of the district, including their grades and their standing as a collective body, said Garrett, general manager for MCS Cable 19-TV and District News anchor.

The show also highlights important, up-to-date information for parents and students, including important messages from Superintendent Carol R. Johnson.
However, District News is beneficial not only to viewers, but also a learning experience for the students who help produce it.

“Writing, producing and anchoring our own show prepares us for the world of broadcasting,” Douglas said.

January 26, 2005

Lakeview Elementary to host Reading Jamboree for ‘MCS Reads’

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Lakeview Elementary School will host a special day to recognize Memphis City Schools Reads literacy campaign and to involve parents in school life.

Lakeview Elementary will host the Reading Jamboree at the school, 5132 Jonetta, on Friday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. The event is in honor of the Memphis City Schools Reads theme for January — Community in the Classroom.

Parents, family members, friends and community members are being invited to read to Lakeview classes. The school will also host Michael Davis of FM 95.7 as an honored guest reader.

January 24, 2005

TCAP testing dates for all students in grades 5, 8, 11 approaching

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — TCAP testing dates for students in grades 5, 8 and 11 are quickly approaching.

The TCAP Writing Assessment for grades 5, 8 and 11 will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 1. To help students prepare for the test, the Tennessee Department of Education has put sample prompts and anchor papers on its Web site at http://www.state.tn.us/education/tswritinghome.htm.

The TCAP Competency Test for Language Arts is scheduled for Feb. 8, and the TCAP Competency Test for Math is Feb. 9.

January 24, 2005

Optional Schools Waiting Line Has Formed

An informal parent-initiated waiting list was started this morning by a group of parents seeking to transfer their children into the school district’s popular optional schools program, according to Linda Sklar, executive director of optional schools. The waiting list was formed by parents to determine who will be first in line when Memphis City Schools begins accepting optional transfer applications on Friday, Jan. 28, 2005.

“A group of parents has established an informal process to determine who will be first in line when we begin accepting optional transfer applications,” Sklar said.
The transfer application period begins Friday, Jan. 28 at 6:30 a.m. in the Memphis Board of Education auditorium, 2597 Avery. However, parents are encouraged to stop by the Optional Schools office in Room 106 by Thursday, Jan. 27 to confirm that their paperwork is complete. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. until 4:45 p.m.
The waiting list started today at the Board of Education by organizers Norris Wade and Phyllis Blackwell.

Anyone interested in signing the waiting list should personally contact the parents who have organized the process at the Board of Education lobby, Sklar said.
Norris Wade said the group has set the following hours for other parents to sign the waiting list:

The group will hold the first of two mandatory roll calls in the back parking lot between the Board building and the Park Commission building on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. for parents on the waiting list. A second mandatory roll call will be taken at 5 a.m. on Friday for the purpose of assembling parents into a line for submission of optional transfer applications.

When parents submit optional transfer applications, they should bring copies of their child’s most recent comprehensive report card and Social Security card. Some optional schools also require recent standardized achievement test scores. (Parents may call the optional schools office at 416-5338 or the school of interest for more information).

First preference for available optional transfers goes to qualified siblings with brothers or sisters who are in satisfactory standing in the requested school at the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year. These spaces will be held until Feb. 25.
City residents will also be given priority for the available spaces. Non-city residents, who must pay tuition, will be considered on a space-availability basis if they meet the entrance requirements.

Contact: Linda Sklar, 416-5338

January 23, 2005

Optional schools transfer application process begins Jan. 28

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Parents interested in taking advantage of one of the most popular choices Memphis City Schools offers in education by transferring their children to an optional school for next school year may begin submitting their applications on Friday, Jan. 28.

Beginning at 6:30 a.m. in the Memphis Board of Education auditorium, 2597 Avery, optional school transfer applications will be accepted. Parents who have questions are encouraged to call or visit the Memphis City Schools Division of Optional Schools, Room 106, from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. to confirm that their paperwork is complete.

Parents submitting optional school applications should bring copies of their children’s most recent comprehensive report card and Social Security card. Some optional schools also require recent nationally-normed achievement test (TCAP) scores. Parents who wish to know specific requirements for schools may call the Division of Optional Schools at 416-5338 for more information.

First preference for transfers goes to qualified siblings (a brother or sister who lives at the same address) of current optional school students who are in satisfactory standing. The sibling policy does not guarantee a space, but it does provide preference for available space for applicants meeting the entrance requirements. This preference to siblings is in effect from Friday, Jan. 28, through Friday, Feb. 25, meaning those spaces will be held until Feb. 25.

Second priority will be given to city residents. Non-city residents whose children meet the entrance requirements will be considered on a space-availability basis and must pay tuition.

If any school has more transfer applications on the first day than available spaces, 80 percent of the spaces available will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis by the qualified applicants. The names of all remaining applicants will be placed in a computer pool, and the remaining 20 percent of the spaces will be filled by applicants selected by computer-generated random sampling, subject to racial and sibling considerations.

The computer selection will be held at 5 p.m. on Feb. 4, in the Division of Optional Schools and is open to the public. All applications remaining after available spaces have been filled will be assigned to a waiting list according to the numerical order of sign-up of qualified students. Final acceptance into the optional program of choice is based on students meeting the school’s entrance requirements.

January 19, 2005

Snowden School to begin Bully Prevention Program for safety

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Snowden School faculty members will implement a new program this month designed to improve student behavior and academic performance.

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 25, the school will employ The Olweus Bully Prevention Program to promote a safer and more positive atmosphere for students. Snowden is one of two schools in West Tennessee to pilot this program, named after Dr. Dan Olweus of Norway, who is credited with conducting the first scientific research of bullying. Highlights of this program include consistent consequences, classroom meetings and discussions, raising awareness of reporting bullying behaviors, promoting kindness and peaceful conflict resolution, and the involvement of all teachers, parents, administrators and community members.

The public is invited to attend a kickoff on Jan. 25, for the new initiative at the school, 1870 North Parkway. There will be an informational meeting for parents at 6 p.m. in the school auditorium. Snowden’s elementary and middle school choruses will sing, and parents will hear from Roger Dinwiddie, a consultant for the Center for Safe and Drug-Free Schools.

January 19, 2005

Parents, community members invited to Textbook Fair on Jan. 22

Memphis, Tenn. — On Saturday, Jan. 22, Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools will hold a Textbook Fair to give teachers, principals, parents and community members the opportunity to examine the math and computer education textbooks being considered for adoption in grades K - 12.

The Textbook Fair will be held from 8 a.m. - noon in the Memphis Board of Education Auditorium, 2597 Avery Ave. Math and computer education textbooks being considered for adoption by both school districts will be on display.

The Textbook Fair provides educators, parents, students and others the opportunity to evaluate and comment on textbooks up for adoption. Participants will be provided with forms for their recommendations on the various textbooks, which will be submitted to the District Textbook Adoption Committees.

Representatives from the various publishers will be available for consultation during the event.

January 18, 2005

LaRose Elementary celebrates 100th day of school with MCS Reads

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — LaRose Elementary will celebrate 100 days of school on Wednesday, Jan. 19, with a 9 a.m. program in the school “cafetorium” that will involve community guests in honor of the Memphis City Schools Reads literacy campaign.

In keeping with this month’s MCS Reads theme of “Community in the Classroom,” the school’s goal is to have 100 books read that day by community partners, parents, teachers and students between 10:15 a.m. and 2:15 p.m.

Invited guests include school adopters, community members and parents. City Councilman Joe Ford is scheduled to attend, as well as the YO! Memphis Drummers. In addition, 100 balloons will be released into the air at the school, 64 Willoughby.

January 14, 2005

Memphis City Schools improves letter grades in all 4 subject areas, moving in right direction according to Tenn. Dept. of Ed. report

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis City Schools received more data from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) today supporting previous state accountability reports that the school system is heading in the right direction in educating more than 119,000 students. MCS has dramatically improved the letter grades in two key subject areas and shown improvement in all four subject areas when compared to the previous year.

TDOE’s report revealed year-to-year growth in a number of subjects including Reading/Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. On the elementary and middle schools report, Memphis City Schools moved up from a “D” last year in Science to an “A” in 2004. In Social Studies the grade improved from an “F” to a “B,” and in Math and Reading/Language Arts the grade improved from an “F” to a “D.”

Elementary & Middle Schools (TVAAS Data)

On the TVAAS section of the state report card, 2004’s results have been combined with 2002 and 2003’s grades to produce a three-year average. The grades based on three-year averages are as follows: Reading/Language Arts (F), Math (D), Science (C) and Social Studies (C).

“The report card data released earlier this year by the Tennessee Department of Education showed that we have improved substantially. However, we are not yet where we need to be,” said Dr. Carol Johnson, superintendent of Memphis City Schools. “The TVAAS report is another measurement tool that echoes these findings. We are encouraged by the movement, but we realize there is much more work to be done to accelerate student achievement in all subjects and at all grade levels. The TVAAS data confirm what we have already determined as to where our focus should be.”

The data in grades 9-12 reveal positive gains in ACT scores. On the ACT composite and each ACT subtest (English, Math, Reading and Science), the school system either met or exceeded state growth standards.

The Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) is a diagnostic tool used by the state and school systems to measure the effectiveness of teachers and administrators in producing expected growth in student achievement. TVAAS does not have any bearing on determining if a school has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) or whether a school is on the state’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) High Priority list.

High Schools (TVAAS ACT Data)

On the state’s 11th grade writing assessment, Memphis City Schools’ students exceeded state expectations.

On the high school Gateway and End-of-Course exams, the school district met state expectations in Science. While student scores showed improvement in Mathematics and on the English I End-of-Course exam, the mean scores were below state value-added standards. Gateway Language Arts (English II) scores decreased by nine-tenths of a point.

High Schools (TVAAS Gateway Data)

January 13, 2005

Parent Learning Academy to hold workshop on TCAP issues

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — Memphis City Schools will present “Helping Our Students Measure Up,” a special program for parents to learn about TCAP and Gateway testing, sponsored by the Parent Learning Academy, on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

The workshop, which will also discuss TCAP procedures for children with disabilities, will feature Dr. Alfred Hall, director of the Memphis Urban Systemic Program; Barbara Bolton, coordinator of the Special Education Department, and Karen Arnold, lead teacher in the Special Education Department.

The workshop will be held in the Parental Involvement Center of the South Area Office Auditorium, 2300 Hernando Road, from 9 to 11:30 a.m.

January 13, 2005

Germanshire Elem. to host community reading for ‘MCS Reads’

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — As part of the Memphis City Schools Reads literacy initiative and to involve parents and community members in school life, Germanshire Elementary School will host a community reading day on Thursday, Jan. 20.

The faculty members of the school have sent invitations to various community members, asking them to read to a class. Confirmed guest readers include Board of Education Commissioners Deni Hirsh and Wanda Halbert, MCS NCLB Communications Manager Renee Malone, Grizz and the Memphis Grizzlies Dance Team, former NBA player Todd Day, storybook characters Clifford the Big Red Dog and Franklin, several news personalities, Tennessee National Guard soldiers, representatives of the school’s adopters, Hickory Hill CO-ACT Division of Police Services, Walgreens on Winchester at Riverdale, Chick-fil-A on Winchester Road, and parents and community leaders.

Guest readers will meet in the Library Media Center at Germanshire, 3965 South Germantown, at 1:30 p.m. Each reader will read to his or her assigned class for 10 to 15 minutes and then will return to the Library Media Center for refreshments.

“We know that community involvement helps increase levels of literacy within our school, community and nation,” said Nikita J. Reed, library media specialist. “We feel that the presence of community members in the school will make a profound difference in motivating our students to read and to love reading.”

January 11, 2005

The Memphis City Schools "MAPS/GEAR UP" Project is hosting two financial aid workshops for all MCS seniors and their parents. Financial aid counselors will be present to help students and parents complete FAFSA forms. Janice Mattox from the Tennessee HOPE Lottery Foundation will also present information about scholarships and other TSAC information.

The workshops are as scheduled:

Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Hamilton High School
1363 Person
Time: 6:00 PM-7:30 PM
_____________________________________

Thursday, January 27, 2005
Northside High School
1212 Vollintine
Time: 5:00 PM-6:30 PM
_____________________________________

For more information contact Denise Rupert, Special Project Coordinator, 416-7622.

January 11, 2005

Metropolitan Baptist members to visit Cummings Elem. students

By Stephanie Myers, MyersS1@mcsk12.net

Memphis, Tenn. — The male members of Metropolitan Baptist Church will give the students of their adopted school, Cummings Elementary, a treat this week when they visit them for lunch.

The church members will visit with Cummings students during their lunch period on Thursday, Jan. 13, from 10:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as part of an annual event planned to involve the community in the school. In addition, flyers have been sent home with the students inviting male family members to visit the school for lunch that day, as well.

“This is a way to show our students and the men of the community that there is a place for male involvement in the schools,” said Robert Terrell, Cummings principal. “Men who become involved in the schools can serve as wonderful role models for the students.”

January 10, 2005

Watch D.O.G.S. starts new chapter at Scenic Hills Elementary

Memphis, Tenn. — Scenic Hills Elementary School will join the ranks of 70 other Memphis City Schools and hundreds of schools around the world this week when it kicks off its chapter of Watch D.O.G.S.

To kick off the new chapter, Scenic Hills Elementary will host a program on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at 9:30 a.m. in the school’s cafeteria, 3450 Scenic Highway. The guest speaker will be Larry Killebrew, a local Watch D.O.G.S. coordinator. Sonya Mull, director of the group for Memphis, will be on hand to give T-shirts to the more than 30 men who have volunteered to be Scenic Hills Watch D.O.G.S.

Watch