Thursday, May 24, 2007

White Station Seniors among National Group of College-Sponsored Merit Scholars

Memphis, Tenn. – Yuriy Brodskiy and Daniel Williford, both senior students at White Station High School, have been named recipients of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s (NMSC) College-Sponsored Merit Scholarship.

The National Merit Program honors individual students who show exceptional academic ability and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The college-sponsored scholarship is financed by colleges and universities across the country. Officials of each sponsor college selected their scholarship winners from among Finalists in the 2007 National Merit Scholarship Program who plan to attend their institution.

Brodskiy plans to use his scholarship to fund his studies in medicine at Rhodes College in Memphis. Williford, who also plans to attend Rhodes College, will focus his studies in anthropology.

More than 1.4 million students competed for the 2007 National Merit Scholarship, with only 15,000 students who met the highest academic standards advancing to the Finalist level of the competition. Among other criteria, Finalists posted the top scores in their state on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) as juniors.

In addition to college-sponsored scholarships, two other types of Merit Scholarship awards were offered in the competition so far this year —corporate-sponsored awards and National Merit $2,500 scholarships. Daniel Braswell, David Crowell, Congcong Guo and Nathan Ramia were named recipients of the $2,500 scholarships earlier this month. Last month, Graham Dewit and Catherine Douglass received the corporate-sponsored award.

Each of these six students is a graduating senior at White Station High School. The next group of National Merit scholars will be announced in July.

To learn more about the National Merit Program, visit www.nationalmerit.org.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

MCS Offering Summer Prep Sessions for Gateway Tests

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis City Schools will be offering a series of Prep Sessions in June and July for students who will take the Mathematics, Science or Language Arts Gateway tests this summer.

Summer Prep Session dates: June 25 – July 9. The sessions will be held Monday - Friday from 9 a.m. – noon at Frayser, Sheffield, Treadwell and Whitehaven High Schools. Applications are available at all district high schools. Students should bring their completed application to their chosen site at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, June 25. For further information about the Test Prep sessions contact 416-7985.

Summer Gateway test dates:

• Mathematics, July 10
• Language Arts, July 11
• Science, July12

Students must be pre-registered to take the July tests.

For information about the Gateway tests, contact the Office of Assessments at 416-5450.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Memphis City Schools Offering Summer Algebra Readiness Camp

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis City Schools will offer a one-week readiness camp this summer for students who will take Algebra I for the first time during the 2007-08 school year. The camp will be held July 23-27 at American Way Middle School. Each session will be held from 8:30 a.m. – noon.

To obtain a Tennessee high school diploma, all students are required to earn a Carnegie credit in Algebra I and pass the Gateway Mathematics Test (Algebra I). The Algebra Camp is designed to help students overcome “algebra anxiety” and prepare for academic excellence in Algebra I, as well as to provide support for student success that will lead to completion of higher level mathematics courses and increase awareness about the importance of algebra in today’s world.

The deadline for applications is Friday, June 15. For further information, or to obtain an application, contact Emily Barbee at 416-7985 or Camilla Horton at 416-7988.

Applications can be sent to:

Secondary Instructional Support
Mathematics & Science / Bond Building
2930 Airways Blvd., 2nd Floor
Memphis, TN 38116
Telephone: 416-7987 / Fax: 416-4557

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Memphis City Schools' White Station High, Cordova High among Newsweek Magazine's 1,200 Top U.S. High Schools

Memphis, Tenn. - Memphis City Schools' White Station and Cordova High schools have been named to Newsweek Magazine's annual list of the 1,200 top high schools in America. For the third year since 2003, White Station High has made the list (No. 867), and this year Cordova High was recognized (No. 1104). Memphis City high schools are the only high schools in Shelby County to receive this honor. Thirteen high schools in Tennessee made the list (below).

The ranking is based a ratio that factors in the number of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and/or Cambridge tests taken by all students at a school in 2006 divided by the number of graduating seniors.

The following 13 Tennessee high schools appear in the May 28 issue of Newsweek Magazine:

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

MCS Teacher Wins National Mark Twain Creative Teaching Award

Memphis, Tenn. – White Station Middle School’s Karla Varriano has been named the first-place winner in a national contest designed to reward creative teaching. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum’s Creative Teaching Award is a national competition open to teachers in all 50 states who teach about Mark Twain in any subject. Its purpose is to honor creative teaching that fosters a personal connection between students and Mark Twain.

Varriano won for her lesson plan on Twain’s book, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

“The museum realizes there are many educators out there introducing their students to Mark Twain,” said Dr. Regina Faden, Executive Director of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum. “We want to use this award as an opportunity to recognize them and to encourage teachers to share their creative teaching ideas with other educators.”

Varriano submitted her lesson plan and samples of her students to competition judges in March. As a first-place winner in the middle school division, she will receive a cash prize, plaque and an invitation to the awards ceremony to be held during the 52nd annual National Tom Sawyer Days July 3-7 in Hannibal, MO. Most importantly, Varriano will have the opportunity to share her winning lesson plan with teachers everywhere as it will be posted in the education section of the Mark Twain Museum’s Web site, www.marktwainmuseum.org.

The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum’s Creative Teaching Award is given to one teacher at the elementary, middle and high school level every year. A panel of judges also selects one grand prize winner from the national group of awardees who submitted the best overall lesson plan.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Nike Hosting Field Day for 1,000 MCS Students Fri., May 25 at U of M

Event to Celebrate National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, Schools’ Support of NikeGO PE Program

Memphis, Tenn. – On Friday, May 25, Nike, Inc. will host a massive field day for as many as 1,000 students who attend the 26 Memphis City Schools that are a part of the NikeGO PE program. The event will take place from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at University of Memphis Fieldhouse.

Nike is hosting the field day events across the country in NikeGO school districts to bring attention for the need to gets kids more physically active in America’s schools and to support National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

Each of MCS’ 26 NikeGO schools will send 50 fourth and fifth grade students to participate in a full day of fun, physical activities, including obstacle courses, three-legged races, tug-of-war and plenty of high-stepping on the moonwalk inflatables.

"Nike understands that there is a critical need to get young people active during their school day," said Chad Boettcher, director of US Community Affairs for Nike. "We want to give them as many chances as possible to be physically active because we believe that activity helps young people become fit and healthy adults."

The day will also include a spelling bee station, as well as nutrition stations complete with healthy snacks and nutritional information, violence and gang prevention sessions with the Memphis Police Department and fire safety tips from the Memphis Fire Department.

Working together to create a new, innovative approach to physical education, Nike and SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) teamed up three years ago to bring the NikeGO program to Memphis City Schools. It’s designed to promote good health and physical activity among fourth and fifth graders using a special classroom curriculum in conjunction with a series of physical activities specially designed by Nike coaches. Nike spends more than $10,000 per school on teacher training and equipment.

May 18, 2007

Parents, Community Invited to Attend Third Annual Community Fair & Open House at John P. Freeman Saturday, May 19

Memphis, Tenn. – John P. Freeman Optional School will be alive with fun and excitement tomorrow, Saturday, May 19, when the school hosts its annual Community Fair and Open House from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Parents interested in learning about the entrance requirements and available openings can pick up information about the K-8 Optional school.

The day’s entertainment will include games, live music, food, clowns, space walk, face painting and a colorful display of learning exhibits produced by students in each grade level.

The event is open to all children, adults and community friends. Media is also invited to attend. For more information, call 416-3156. John P. Freeman Optional School is located at 5250 Tulane.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Two MCS Seniors Awarded $10,000 Little Rock Nine Foundation Scholarship

Former President Clinton to Honor Students during 50th Anniversary Tribute to Historic Little Rock Nine

Memphis, Tenn. – Veronica Billingsley of Booker T. Washington High School and Lindsey Brown of Craigmont High School have been selected to receive this year’s prestigious Little Rock Nine Foundation Scholarship and Mentorship Award.

Billingsley and Brown, both graduating seniors, were among nine students chosen to receive the award from a national pool of nearly 60 who submitted essays for the competition. Each will receive $10,000 over the next two years to use at the college or university of their choice. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton will present the students with their award certification during the Little Rock Nine Foundation’s annual Awards Gala at the Peabody Hotel-Little Rock on September 24.

Students were selected for demonstrating outstanding leadership ability and motivation to make a difference in the larger community. Each student receiving a scholarship will be required to mentor another high school student, thereby continuing the cycle of giving back.

Incorporated in 1999, the Little Rock Nine Foundation has worked to advance the principles of excellence in education for young people from low performing schools. The Little Rock Nine Foundation’s Scholarship and Mentoring Program is designed to not only help financially enable students to pursue higher education, but also to provide them with a mentor who will guide and counsel them through their collegiate experience.

The Little Rock Nine Foundation is comprised of the original nine students who were escorted by federal troops into Little Rock’s Central High School following the state’s move to desegregate schools in 1957 – a moment that still defines the national Civil Rights Movement. This year’s awards gala will serve as the 50th Anniversary tribute to the original Little Rock Nine.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Colonial Students Finding Success in Life, Learning through School’s Leadership Program

Students to be Honored by City Leaders TONIGHT, May 17 at 6 p.m.

Memphis, Tenn. – More than 70 students from Colonial Middle School will be recognized by prominent city leaders tonight, Thursday, May 17, during a special honors ceremony for members of the school’s “Efficacious Leaders and Professionals” group.

The “Efficacious Leaders and Professionals” group has helped students achieve their full potential this school year with positive principles, high expectations and engaging experiences. Instructors who started the intervention group asked teachers to select students who they believed possess great leadership potential, but were struggling to maintain adequate conduct or grades to be a part of other honor societies. Students were required to perform as many as 30 hours of community service, maintain positive conduct, attitude and work ethic the entire year and keep their grades above a C average. Additionally, the met with various mentors and motivational speakers throughout the school year and were asked to dress for success each Friday. The highlight of the program for students was a trip to Washington, DC, where they made special presentations about their work at school to U.S. representatives from Tennessee.

Tonight, these students will be celebrated for their hard work, commitment and efforts to serve as role models for the entire student body at Colonial Middle School. Members of the Memphis Board of Education, along with judges from Juvenile Court, City Court and U.S. District Court, local corporate and political leaders, community partners and school adopters will be on hand to share in the special occasion.

The ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. in the Colonial Middle School Auditorium. Colonial Middle School is located at 4778 Sea Isle. Call 416-8980 for more information.

Friday, May 11, 2007

Second Annual MCS Alumni Hall of Fame Gala Tonight, May 11 at 6 p.m.

National R&B Recording Artists Chanté Moore, Kenny Lattimore Headline Red Carpet, Black-Tie Fundraiser

Memphis, Tenn. – Seven distinguished Memphis City Schools Alumni will be honored tonight, Friday, May 11, during the Second Annual MCS Alumni Hall of Fame Gala in Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel on Ridge Lake Road in East Memphis. The black-tie event will once again showcase some of Memphis City Schools’ greatest success stories while raising much needed resources for music and arts programs in the school system.

The reception will start at 6 p.m., with this year’s inductees and a host of prominent Memphis citizens and celebrities making their way across the hotel’s red carpet in a Hollywood-style arrival. The induction ceremony will begin inside at 7 p.m. with live musical entertainment by national R & B recording artists Kenny Lattimore and Chanté Moore highlighting the evening..

This year’s inductees include:

• Pat Owens Fordice - Former First Lady of Mississippi and Central High School graduate
• Willie Gregory, Sr. - Director of Operations – Employee Community Relations for NIKE and Booker T. Washington High School graduate
• Cato Johnson ,Sr. - Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Methodist Hospital and Carver High School graduate
• Lawrence Johnson, Sr. - Owner of Lawrence Johnson Realtors and Geeter High School graduate
• Dr. James Netters, Sr. - Senior Pastor of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and Booker T. Washington High School graduate
• Elliot Perry - Minority Owner of the Memphis Grizzlies and Treadwell High School graduate
• Joseph Christopher Simmons - Chief Diversity Officer for Pricewaterhouse Coopers and Hamilton High School graduate

This year’s seven inductees join an impressive list of past MCS Alumni Hall of Fame inductees including: Elvis Presley (King of Rock & Roll), Kathy Bates (Actress), Elise Neal (Actress), Avron Fogelman (Entrepreneur), Benjamin L Hooks (Civil Rights Activist), Cybill Shepherd (Actress), Bishop G.E. Patterson and Isaac Hayes (Entertainer). There are a total of 42 individuals in the school district’s Alumni Hall of Fame including this year’s new class of inductees.

The prestigious Second Annual MCS Alumni Hall of Fame Gala is sponsored by FedEx Corporation, Methodist Healthcare and Memphis Area Teachers’ Credit Union.

Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Limited Enrollment Spaces Available for New South Side Health Career Academy

Students May Gain Professional Certification in Medical Field at District’s Newest Small High School

Memphis, Tenn. – The 2007-08 school year holds amazing, new learning opportunities for students in Memphis. In August 2007, Memphis City Schools will open the doors of the new South Side Health Career Academy, a small high school with a specialized health sciences focus that will allow students to gain professional certification in one of several health/medical fields while earning their high school diploma.

The school, which will be housed on the current South Side High School campus, will tap into the ample resources of the booming Memphis medical corridor. Partnering with local health professionals and organizations, Health Career Academy will offer students a rigorous and hands-on curriculum that will place them on a path for success at both the college and career levels.

"We will provide an awesome and unique one-of-a-kind opportunity for high school students," said Brenda Thompson, who will serve as principal of South Side Health Career Academy when it opens next school year. "Students will graduate from high school already prepared to assume a positive role in the medical field while at the same time being prepared to go to college. This will be great for our students and for the vast medical community of our city."

In addition to specialized studies in Medical/Allied Health and Health Science, students’ core classes will integrate aspects of health education, such as health/medicine-related vocabulary and terminology, math concepts that apply to the field and computer software programs widely used throughout the industry. Students will also benefit greatly from the "Small Learning Environment," in which they'll be paired with the same instructors and counselors in more personal and intensive class settings.

The South Side Health Career Academy will be open to any Memphis City Schools student entering the 10th or 11th grade. There will be roughly 200 enrollment spaces available each year. Requirements include a 2.5 minimum G.P.A., teacher/counselor recommendation, demonstrated aptitude in math and science and reading proficiency.

• Medical/Allied Health Program Features: Health Science Course Offerings:
• Phlebotomy Certification
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Emergency Medical Technician Health
• Science Education
• Licensed Practical Nurse Medical
• Therapeutics
• Prosthetics Technician
• Medical Diagnostics
• Pharmacy Technician
• Rehabilitative Therapy
• Paramedics
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
• Medical Terminology
• Biomedical Applications
• Dietary services
• Forensic Science
• Nursing Education

For more information or to apply for enrollment the South Side Health Career Academy, contact the High School Academics Office at 416-5360.

Friday, May 4, 2007

Superintendent Carol Johnson Named Superintendent of the Year at 94th Annual Tennessee PTA Awards Banquet

Memphis, Tenn. – Moments ago, the Tennessee Parent Teacher Association (PTA) named Memphis City Schools' Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson "Superintendent of the Year" at its 94th Annual Convention Awards Banquet at the East Memphis Hilton. Superintendents from school districts across the state were nominated for the award.

"Parent involvement is so important to the work we do as educators," said Dr. Johnson. "I am so thankful for the amazing parents we have in this city and in this school district. To see our children benefitting in the classroom and in the community through the support of our schools' PTA programs is truly inspiring."

The annual Oscars-style awards banquet highlights outstanding participation by PTA chapters from all over Tennessee with awards for top PTA Unit,Superintendent, Teacher, Board Member and nearly a dozen other categories.

For more information about the Tennessee PTA, visit www.tnpta.org.

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

MCS to Feed Low-Income Youth through Summer Food Service Program

Memphis, Tenn. – Memphis City Schools’ Division of Nutrition Services has signed on as a sponsor of the 2007 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SFSP is a federally funded program that ensures children of low-income families continue to receive nutritious meals during summer vacation when they do not have access to healthy school breakfasts and lunches.

As a sponsor, the MCS Division of Nutrition Services will provide free meals to children under the age of 18 at nearly 400 sites across Memphis and Shelby County from June 4 to August 3.

Enrolled children who are members of households which receive Food Stamps or Families First (cash assistance) are automatically eligible to receive free meals. Enrolled children of households that meet the 185% Federal Poverty Income Guidelines below are also eligible:

SFSP is administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information about SFSP sites and meal times, contact the MCS Division of Nutrition Services at 416-5550

Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Overton Senior’s Art Portfolio Receives National Award Student’s Artwork to be Featured at New York Gallery

Memphis, Tenn. – Ask any art instructor at Overton High School, and they’ll tell you that Ebony Robinson learned very early on that art has no boundaries. From the moment she adapted this mindset to her drawings and paintings, it also became clear to most around her that there was no limit to what she could achieve through art.

Robinson, a graduating senior at Overton High, is part of a select group of student artists from across the country who will be honored as a recipient of this year’s Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Her portfolio was chosen out of hundreds of thousands entered from high school students all across the nation and selected as one of the top five “Gold Portfolios” in the national competition. Some of Robinson’s work will be featured at the Opening Reception for the Scholastic Awards program at the Reeves Contemporary Gallery in New York City on June 14. She’ll receive her award at Carnegie Hall the following night.

“I have seen Ebony work tirelessly, denying herself the crutch of the path well-traveled, to achieve only what her inner passion can express,” said Dr. Emily Ruch, one of Robinson’s art instructors at Overton. “One of the judges for the competition, Faith Ringgold, said Ebony had a true voice and style which made her work stand out from all of the rest.”

During her four years in the highly competitive environment at Overton, Robinson has produced numerous award-winning pieces of art. In fact, some of her work is currently hanging at the Scholastic National Office in Soho and will remain there through the month of June.

For more information about this student or about the Creative and Performing Arts program at Overton High School, contact Phyllis Roy at 416-2136.