Good Things Going On at MCS!
Read about all the special people and events that make MCS great!

Stories Below

<< Home

“MCS Reads With the Redbirds” For Campaign Celebration April 20!

Join your fellow employees for a night of reading fun as we highlight successes of the 2005-06 MCS Reads campaign. The Memphis Redbirds, an official campaign partner, is providing discount tickets for MCS employees which may be purchased by visiting the following Web site (copy and paste into your browser), or you may purchase tickets at the ballpark ticket window.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/about/page.jsp?
ymd=20060310&content_id=46649&vkey=about_t235&fext=.jsp&sid=t235

The first 250 attendees will receive free admission to the game (must present employee I.D. to claim ticket)

Activities for this special event include:

• Field parade for Top Reader from each school
• First pitch by Superintendent
• Awarding of “Top Teacher,” “Top Reader,” & “Top Parent”

*Both teacher and parent recipients will win vacation package of two airline tickets and two hotel nights to any destination within the continental U.S. provided by A&I Travel, an official campaign partner. The top student will receive an award provided by Partners In Public Education (PIPE).

In preparation for the celebration, and to make sure your teachers, students and parents are considered for the awards, make sure you turn in your school’s information to the Department of Communications & Public Affairs (BOE, Room 208). Information should be submitted as follows:

• School Book Tally: As with our 2004-05 campaign, we will need the total number of books read by each school. Last year, MCS collectively read more than 1.4 million books. We hope to surpass this goal and will announce the results at the celebration event.
• Top Reader: We will need the name and grade level of the student at your school who has read the most books since the beginning of the 2005-2006 school year. When turning in the student’s name, please make certain that someone at your school will be able to provide proof of the selected student’s accomplishment. The top reading student from each school will be eligible to participate in an on-field parade the day of the game.
• Students who reached the 25-book goal: We will need a 3 x 5 index card for each student who has read at least 25 books during the 2005-2006 school year. Each card should contain the student’s name, parent and/or guardian’s name, school, address and telephone number. These cards will be used to select the MCS Reads “Top Parent” Award.
• MCS Reads Teacher: We will need the name of one teacher in your school who you feel has done the most in your school to encourage literacy and push the MCS Reads campaign. Each entry will be eligible for a final drawing to select the MCS Reads “Top Teacher” Award.

The deadline for all entries has been extended until April 14 (no entries will be accepted after this date). For more information about this event, please contact the Department of Communications & Public Affairs at 416-5628.

Reading’s on the Map at Downtown Elementary

Second grade students from Downtown Elementary toured the country in February by way of reading. As part of the activities for Read Across America Month, the students were asked to select a story that takes place in the United States and to give a presentation about the book and the state. Twenty-six states were represented in this assignment.

Fourth graders at Downtown Elementary created a “Women in History” display during Read Across America Month. The display featured reports on various books the students read, all of which dealt with famous women in American history.

Second graders at Downtown Elementary read books set in the United States during Read Across America Month.

Downtown Elementary fourth graders made a display of famous women in American History for their reading lesson during Read Across America Month.

Pre-K Kids Enjoy Reading with Parents at Spring Hill

Spring Hill Elementary School hosted a Preschool Literacy Day for students and parents on Thursday, March 30 in honor of Read Across America and Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Ms. Cowinta Key, the literacy leader at Spring Hill Elementary, coordinated the event. Participants filled the library, reading Cat in the Hat books and making Grinch hats. The children also learned how to write rhyming words just like the ones in their favorite stories. Parents attending the program said they couldn’t wait for next year’s Literacy Day.

Two Local Businesses Join Ridgeway Elementary School Family

Ridgeway Elementary School had the proud pleasure of welcoming two new adopters to its family of partners in March, The Germantown Rotary Club and Embassy Suites Hotel at 1022 S. Shady Grove Road.

The school held a special signing ceremony for both adopters. Vijay Surpuriya, District Governor of Rotary International, and President Jim Dupree of the Germantown Rotary Club were in attendance along with managers Clarissa Brown and Nikki Carnes of the Embassy Suites. Peggy Jones of Memphis City Schools presented the school and the businesses with their adoption certificates.

Fifth grader, Ayanna Muhammed, signed adoption papers as student representative of Ridgeway Elementary, recognizing The Germantown Rotary Club and the Embassy Suites as school adopters.

Macon Elementary Healthy Living Night Has it All

Macon Elementary had something for the whole family during Healthy Living Night at the school on March 23. The event was sponsored by Macon’s adopter, the Junior League of Memphis. Among the night’s many highlights was the LeBonheur Health Bus, which is like a hospital on wheels used to teach children about good health and hospitals. There were also optometrists from the Southern College of Optometry offering free eye exams for the family, as a well as a dentist offering free screenings, a dietician, Ms. Annie Clark, Macon's school nurse, and lots of healthy food from Lenny's. As an extra treat, the school showed the Tigers playing in the NCAA Tournament game on the school's big projection screen.

The Junior League of Memphis sponsored Healthy Living Night at Macon Elementary in March, offering free health services for the whole family.

Mayor Wharton Teaches Rozelle Students the “D’s” of Learning

Rozelle students received some inspiring words from Shelby County Mayor AC Wharton during his visit to the school on March 20. Mayor Wharton spoke to the kids about what he calls the “Good D’s” of learning: Dream, Desire, Drive, Determination, Detours and Destination. Using his own life experiences to tell the story, Mayor Wharton explained how each “D” represents an important step in the path one chooses to attain success in life.

Mayor AC Wharton encouraged Rozelle Students to apply what he calls the “Good D’s” to their personal goals.

Ridgeway Middle Parents, Students “Tame the TCAP”

Over 150 parents and students came together at Ridgeway Middle School on Saturday, March 25 with just one goal in mind. Their goal was to "Tame the TCAP." The pep rally was put together as a way to get parents and students thinking about how they can work together to prepare for the TCAP tests.

The Ridgeway Middle majorettes and drum line kicked off the event with some excitement. Afterward, a representative from the local *Starbucks store provided some motivational words for the entire audience before students and parents broke into groups for workshops. Parents played a round of Jeopardy with the school’s eighth grade counselor. The game taught parents how TCAP questions are formatted.

Students, meanwhile, stayed in the gym for a pep talk from teachers. At the end of the day, everyone enjoyed a hot dog luncheon in the cafeteria.

*Starbucks, one of Ridgeway’s newest adopters, recently welcomed sixth grade student Glenn Hall as the store’s featured musician for their roasting party. Glenn, who moved to Memphis from New Orleans this past fall, has made quite a name for himself, playing at several venues, including Preservation Hall. He was chosen to serve as the grand marshal for the 32nd Annual New York Village Halloween Parade on Oct. 31 last year. He is continuing to develop his musical talents at Ridgeway Middle.

World Music on Stage at White Station

An array of world cultures came together during White Station Elementary’s spring concert on Friday, March 10. Second and third grade students presented "Music Around the World," a selection of songs from France, Germany, China and Mexico, for students, staff and school adopters. Students studied each of these cultures while preparing for the show. They helped create traditional costumes and props such as Mexican serapes and sombreros and a Chinese dragon. "Music Around the World" was directed by White Station Elementary’s Orff Music teacher, Mrs.Leiza Collins.

White Station second and third graders danced to "La Raspa" and other songs from around the world during their spring concert in March.

Exciting Times at the 2006 Overton High Art Fair

Crowds were treated to all types of fun and entertainment at the 2006 Overton High School Art Fair on Saturday, April 8. Students from Overton High, Colonial Middle and Ross Elementary schools exhibited fine art work. The Willow Oaks Elementary Ballet Troupe and the Willow Oaks Steppers delighted visitors on stage. In addition to the artwork and stage performances, there were also various crafts on display, foods to sample and games for the whole family.

Donuts, Dads Make for Great Day at Downtown Elementary

The kindergarten teachers at Downtown Elementary School sometimes have it hard thinking of new and fun ways to bring parents and community members into their classrooms, but they know there is no way anyone can turn down a donut, and decided to host their first “Decorating Donuts with Dad Day” program. More than three dozen fathers participated in the event. The teachers supplied all of the donuts, icing and other toppings for students and their fathers to use.

“It was a great way to get fathers involved in classroom activities,” said kindergarten teacher Ellen Moak. “’Decorating Donuts with Dad Day’ was such a wonderful success. I’m sure we will do it again next year.”

The event was designed to support the week’s lesson, which was the letter “D.” It’s part of the kindergarten classes’ Cooking Fun project, which brings family and community members into the classroom each week to prepare a food that begins with the letter of the week.

Downtown Elementary hosted its first Decorating Donuts with Dads Day for kindergarteners as part of their weekly family Cooking Fun project.

Springdale Students Join Community Friends for Science Saturday

Students, teachers and parents from Springdale Elementary joined community members on a special weekend field trip to the Lichterman Nature Center on Saturday, April 1 thanks to Rhodes College. Rhodes organized the “Science Saturday” outing through its community outreach grant and with the help of the Cypress/Springdale Community Partners Group. Rhodes professors guided the group on their nature exploration. All the participants acted as habitat detectives, searching out natural habitats for plants and animals. They even got to a few animals, such as geese, turtles and fish, up close in their natural habitats. Everyone who took part said the trip was an excellent learning experience.

Rhodes College professors guided students, teachers and parents from Springdale Elementary on a “Science Saturday” exploration at Lichterman Nature Center.

Congratulations! Courtney Robertson, a senior at Melrose High School, was selected as a Gates Millennium Scholar. As a recipient of this award, all expenses will be paid for his college expenses, undergraduate – Doctorate.

Bravo! Delano Elementary School's Optional Ensemble was named Winning Ensemble at the Music Making Minds Competition on March 24. The event was sponsored by the Orpheum and Amro Music. The Delano Ensemble was invited to play at the Orpheum before a performance of Broadway Junior. The school was also presented with a gift certificate for Amro Music.

A Cut Above the Rest! Congratulations to the following Melrose High School students who placed in the 2006 Hair Biz Student Competition on Monday, April 3 at the Cannon Center:

Chris Jones – First Place Urban Barbering
Chancellor Black – Second Place Urban Barbering
Christian Pack - Third Place Urban Barbering

Tanesha Jones - First Place Fantasy
Jenea Williams - Second Place Fantasy
Ashley McCrary - Third Place Fantasy

All A-Buzz at Newberry! On March 24, Newberry Elementary School held its 2005-2006 Wordly Wise Bee. Using a brand-new buzzer system, each participant had the opportunity to buzz in and give the correct definition for the word that was called by the announcer. There were 3 rounds: 3rd grade, 4th grade, and 5th grade.

Winners were:

• 3rd grade round - Braphon Jones-3-04 - Mrs. Haley
• 4th grade round- Malik Thomas- 4-02 Ms. Peyton
• 5th grade round- Morgan Hargrove -5-01 Mr. Jones

Newberry congratulates the winners and participants for all of their hard work.