November 26, 2003

Memphis Council PTA Sponsors Student Program

The work of students will be showcased at a special program and exhibit at the Memphis City Schools' Board of Education Auditorium, 2597 Avery, on Wednesday, Dec. 3 and Thursday, Dec. 4.

The program, "Reflections," will include photography, visual arts, music and literature displays and performances by students whose schools have PTAs.

Wednesday, Dec. 3 is "preview night." Visitors and parents may view displays between 6 and 7:30 p.m. that have been submitted by the students. There will not be any performances on Dec. 3.

On Thursday, Dec. 4, the public may attend to view the displays and see performances by students. Hours are 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Mary Harris, Memphis Council PTA, at 461-7578.

November 20

MCS Call Center Gets A New Number

As a cost-saving and service-improvement measure, the Call Center is being brought in-house. Many of you have already noted an improvement in service over the past two weeks as we have been in transition. The new MCS Call Center will be housed at the Technology Training Center (TTC) on Jackson Avenue. Effective Monday, September 29, 2003, the new number for the Call Center will be 416-2700. Persons dialing the old number after that date will receive a pre-recorded message directing them to the new number. All schools and offices on the “416” exchange MUST dial “62700.” Anyone on the “416” exchange attempting to dial the entire number will get a fast-busy signal. Callers should note a marked improvement in the professionalism and expertise of the Service Representatives at the Call Center. As with all new operations, there may be a few glitches on the front end; however, you can anticipate a vast improvement in this area.

November 18

SIX MCS ALUMNI TO BE HONORED IN SIXTH ANNUAL HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

Memphis City Schools will induct six new honorees into the 2003 Alumni Hall of Fame Thursday, November 20 at 4 p.m. at the Teaching & Learning Academy located at 2485 Union Avenue. The Memphis City Schools Alumni Hall of Fame annually recognizes outstanding alumni who represent Memphis City Schools’ best and brightest.

"It is an honor to award this year's inductees for the great success they have achieved in the years following their academic career within Memphis City Schools," said Superintendent Carol Johnson. "We take pride that these individuals are affiliated with our system and hope their accomplishments serve as models for our future alumni."

A committee of principals, administrators, business and community leaders selected honorees based on several criteria. To be selected, an individual must have attended a Memphis city school for at least one year, made a significant contribution to the community and/or their profession, and be considered a role model who current and future generations of students can emulate.

Honorees for the 2003 Alumni Hall of Fame are:

David Boyd, a 1977 graduate of Hamilton High School. Boyd is owner of D'Bo's Buffalo Wings n' Things that was established in 1990 and has since expanded into five locations, including one in Atlanta, Georgia. Boyd has been recognized as one of the "Top Forty Under Forty" by the Memphis Business Journal and was awarded the "Benny" award by the Black Business Association.

Dana Buchman, a 1969 graduate of White Station High School. Buchman is a top fashion designer, and her designs have been featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show and in "O" magazine. Buchman is a three-time recipient of the Dallas Fashion Award.

Alvin H. Crawford, who graduated from Melrose High School in 1957. He has served as a professor of Orthopaedics at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and Director of Pediatric Orthopaedics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He has authored five books and more than 250 articles and has traveled to several countries including Ghana, Saudi Arabia and Germany to present orthopaedic conferences.

W. Otis Higgs attended Melrose High School. At the age of 15, he received a scholarship and gained early admission to attend Morehouse College in Atlanta. He currently serves as the Criminal Court Judge of Division II.

Allie Prescott, president of Prescott & Partners, graduated from Kingsbury High School in 1965. At Kingsbury, he was an honor student and a star baseball player. He has served as president and CEO of the Memphis Redbirds and executive director of the Memphis Interfaith Association (MIFA) where he helped institute "Starry Nights," a holiday lights attraction and successful fundraiser for MIFA.

A. Maceo Walker attended and graduated from Booker T. Washington High, formerly known as Kortrecht High School. He graduated with a bachelor’s and master's degree in business administration from Fisk University and New York University respectively. He served as president of Universal Life Insurance Company and co-founded Tri-State Bank of Memphis.

In addition to receiving an award, the inductees' pictures and biographies will be permanently displayed in the auditorium of the Board of Education Administration building.

November 17

Parent Learning Academy Classes Scheduled for December

Memphis City Schools’ Parent Learning Academy has scheduled a series of free classes in the month of December for parents who are interested in their children’s use of technology in the classroom and in helping their children with the basics of reading, math and other skills.

"Tech Smarts for Parents" will show parents how technology can help to decrease absenteeism, lower drop-out rates and help children enjoy learning. For parents of students at all grade levels, the classes be offered at the following locations in December:

Interested parents may sign up by calling 775-7264 between 2 and 4 p.m., Monday - Friday, by visiting the Memphis City Schools’ website at www.mcs.k12.net, or by completing a registration form and mailing it to the Division of Parental Involvement and Family Support, Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Center, 620 S. Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38126 (or send by fax to 901-775-7283.

Classes are free, and childcare for children between the ages of five and 11 will be provided on-site.

The Parent Learning Academy offers fall and spring programs on a variety of topics. Funding for the programs is provided by the Assisi Foundation.

November 13, 2003

Faith-Based Community To Discuss Support Plans For Schools

Members of the faith-based community will brainstorm about ways they can help Memphis City Schools accomplish its goal of preparing all students to become productive citizens. The Education Faith-Based Initiative, in cooperation with Memphis City Schools and the Memphis Baptist Ministerial Association, has scheduled a meeting on Tuesday, November 18 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Board of Education auditorium (A), 2597 Avery Avenue.

The event is called "Operation PASS" (People Assembled Supporting Schools). Church congregations will be paired with a school on the state’s 2003-04 target list to assist in boosting academic achievement.

"Congregations will be asked to provide tutors and mentors to schools in the communities where they worship and live," said Reverend Dwight Montgomery, chairman of the Education Faith-Based Initiative and pastor of Annesdale Cherokee Baptist Church.

For more information, contact Rev. Dwight Montgomery at 795-8149, Rabbi Daniel Rabishaw at 761-3130, Brent Beasley at 682-3395 or Maurice Dickerson at 948-8639.

November 13, 2003

Overton High School Students to Perform At Annual Convention of the Tennessee School Boards Association

Overton High School’s CAPA Swingers have been selected from performing arts students across the state as the featured entertainment for the second general session of the 2003 Tennessee School Boards Association annual convention on Monday, Nov. 17.

The TSBA convention will take place at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. The 14-member choir will perform at 9:15 a.m. in the hotel’s Tennessee Ballroom before 600 convention attendees, consisting of school board members and superintendents across the state.

For more information, contact Overton High School Principal Mike Bowlan at 416-2136.

November 12, 2003

MCS STUDENTS TO TAKE GATEWAY EXAMS IN DECEMBER

The Memphis City Schools Office of Testing has released the Gateway testing schedule for December 2003. Three Gateway exams will be administered during this month. The test dates are:

Gateway Math Exam (Algebra I)
December 9, 2003
Make-up dates: December 10, 11 and 12

Gateway Science Exam (Biology I)
December 10, 2003
Make-up dates: December 11 and 12

Gateway Language Arts Exam (English Grade 10)
December 11, 2003
Make-up on December 12

Testing must be administered to students who meet all of the following criteria:

For more information on the Gateway Exam testing, contact the Office of Testing at 325-5450.

November 11, 2003

850 Coats Will Be Donated To Oakhaven Elementary School Students

Oakhaven Elementary School students will receive an unexpected gift that is sure to make their holiday season warmer. Charming Shoppes, Inc. will donate 850 coats to students at the school on Wednesday, November 12 from 8:30 - 11 a.m. Oakhaven Elementary is located on 3795 Bishops Bridge.

"The excitement for this day has been building since the announcement was made that we had been selected to participate in this wonderful event," said Evelyn Willis, principal. "We can’t wait to see the faces of our students, some of whom have never owned a new coat of their own, " she said.

The donation is part of Charming Shoppes, Inc.’s, Keeping Kids Warm program. Charming Shoppes, Inc. operates more than 2,300 retail specialty apparel stores in 48 states under the names Fashion Bug, Fashion Bug Plus, Lane Bryant and Catherine’s Plus Sizes.

For more information, contact Peggy Jones or Brenda Rudolph, 325-5628.

November 7, 2003

Optional Schools Fair Scheduled

Parents can learn more about the 31 Optional Schools in the Memphis City Schools District at the annual Optional School Fair on Sunday, November 16 from 1:30 - 4 p.m. in the auditorium of the Frances E. Coe Administration Building, 2597 Avery.

"Last year’s event was a tremendous success with more than 3,000 attendees who turned out to learn about Optional Schools and programs," said Linda Sklar, executive director of Optional Schools and Special Projects. "We expect a greater turnout this year," she said.
The annual Optional Schools Fair will feature slide shows, videos and computers, as well as school displays and booths to provide parents with information about schools and other community resources.

Applications for an Optional School transfer will be accepted beginning January 30, 2004 through the first day of school of the 2004-05 school year. Parents will be notified about the status of their application six to eight weeks after submitting the application to the Division of Optional Schools and Special Projects, 2597 Avery Ave.

For more information, call 325-5338.

November 7, 2003

Tennessee Department of Education
Issues State, District and School Report Cards

The state’s Department of Education issued its annual report cards, showing how well students across the state, and in each district and school, are meeting federal benchmarks in key academic assessments.

Report Card scores for Memphis City Schools are basically unchanged from last year’s scores.
"The information the district received in September regarding the status of our schools in meeting requirements of No Child Left Behind, as well as the TCAP data we received in October, had already shown us that some schools made progress and others did not," said Dr. Carol R. Johnson, Superintendent. "The State Report Card information is not unexpected - it repeats what we already knew from those earlier reports."

At the October 20 meeting of the Board of Education, Johnson presented some initial action steps for addressing student achievement in the district’s 22 Corrective Action schools.
"While these schools are critical, we expect to define and put in place interventions and support that will assist all schools. Our focus must be directed toward low performers and also continuing to support students who are ready for more rigorous and academically challenging work," she said. "We will be looking at what will be done at those schools and incorporate appropriate steps with any of the Memphis City Schools that need extra assistance in improving their levels of student achievement."

Superintendent Johnson said that the district is developing a comprehensive accountability system that will work across the district and will provide an "early warning" alert for all Memphis City Schools so that any academic "trouble spots" can be tackled head-on.
"We want to focus our energies on improving student learning throughout the district. We will coordinate our existing resources and align our efforts, particularly in the areas of math and reading, to bring student achievement up across the district," she said.

Anyone interested in looking at the Report Card for any school or school district in the state may access that information by visiting the education department’s website, www.state.tn.us/education.

November 6, 2003

DOWNTOWN ELEMENTARY
SHOWCASES OPTIONAL SCHOOL PROGRAM

"Open houses" highlighting the optional school program at Downtown Elementary will be held on Thursday, November 13, from 4:45 - 6 p.m., and on Monday, December 8, from noon -1 p.m.

The evening open house will begin with a short program, followed by guided tours of the school. Those attending the open house in December will have an opportunity to tour Downtown Elementary while school is in session.

For more information, contact the school at 416-8400. Downtown Elementary is located at 10 N. Fourth Street.

November 4, 2003

WHITE STATION MIDDLE PARENTS AND STUDENTS TO LEARN IMPORTANCE OF SEXUAL ABSTINENCE

Aim For Success, a nationally acclaimed educational organization, will present a sexual abstinence program to White Station Middle parents and students November 5th and 6th. Marilyn Morris, president, Aim For Success, will cover various topics including the risks of teenage pregnancy, the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases and the pain of emotional scars during the program.

A parent preview will take place Wednesday, November 5th at 6:30 p.m. at the school. The meeting will allow parents the opportunity to hear what information will be presented to students and provide them with tools and medical information to communicate effectively with their children about sex education. Student presentations will take place Thursday, November 6th during 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th periods.

Aim For Success presented about 2,500 of their health-based programs in 2002. Ninety percent of the programs were in public schools throughout the country and reached about 200,000 students and parents.

For more information on Aim For Success, visit the Web site at www.aimforsuccess.org.