Welcome to MCS Insider - Kudos and Good News

The grand prizes for the top parent, top teacher and top reader from this year’s MCS Reads campaign were announced during the big reading wrap-up celebration with the Redbirds at Autozone Park on Monday, May 8.

A&I Travel presented the top parent and top teacher with a grand prize vacation package consisting of two round-trip airline tickets and two hotel nights anywhere within the continental United States. Partners in Public Education (PIPE) awarded the top reader with a $500 scholarship.

Congratulations to our winners and to every student, parent and teacher who participated in the MCS Reads campaign this year. Keep reading because the countdown is already on for next year’s MCS Reads challenge.

Partners in the 2005-06 MCS Reads campaign are: The Memphis Grizzlies, Clear Channel, McDonald’s, Scholastic, WMC-TV 5 and the Memphis Redbirds.

Last MCS Insider for 2005-06 May 22

The final issue of the Memphis City Schools Insider will be issued on May 22, 2006. The last day for accepting story ideas or submissions will be Wednesday, May 17. The Insider will return in August.

The Hamilton Middle School community showed how proud they were of the school’s readers by holding special reading event in celebration of Hamilton’s achievements through the MCS Reads program in March. Guests from the community visited the school to read portions of their favorite books and poems and to offer words of encouragement to motivate the students to keep reading.

Terrance Bates and Mark Waldran of ABC-24, Board Commissioner Martavius Jones, Dr. Alfred Hall of Memphis City Schools and City Councilman Rickey Peete were among the distinguished guests who attended the event.

Gospel recording artist Shea Norman provided the biggest highlight of the afternoon. After reading some of his favorite poems and quotations, the artist spent time talking to students about the rewards of reading, and he accepted a number of song requests.

Gospel Singer Shea Norman was among the distinguished guests at Hamilton’s reading celebration in March.

Idlewild Elementary students learned some tricks of the literary trade during a recent visit with Patrick Carman, author of the fantasy series The Land of Elyon. Carman talked about three important tips for developing better writing skills: telling a story at least once a week, reading even when you think you don't like to read and keeping a journal of thoughts and drawings. Carman demonstrated all three tips by telling the children how he finally came to love reading as a kid and showing them the actual journal he kept when he was their age. The students left school that day eager to read all of Carman’s books. The program was sponsored by Scholastic Publishing.

The yellow brick road ran straight through Jackson Elementary on Friday, May 5, when students in the school’s Drama Club performed the classic story “The Wizard of Oz.” Superintendent Dr. Carol Johnson was in attendance and said the show was absolutely amazing. Parents and classmates also loved the play. It was directed and produced by Ms. Princess Wilbern.

On Wednesday, April 26, fourth graders in Ms. Dorothy Hibler’s class treated an invited audience from the federal courthouse and guests from the community to a performance of “Blame It on the Wolf.” This light-hearted production allowed the dreaded Big Bad Wolf to finally tell his side of the story in the infamous three pigs crime that ruined his reputation. The Big Bad Wolf served as his own attorney and attempted to convince a jury of fairy tale characters through poetry and song that he was merely a victim of misperception. The play drew great reception from the audience and was featured on Fox13 News.

The young students at Cummings Elementary are already planning for their future in the workforce after an exciting Career Day that took place at the school in April. The following volunteers from Metropolitan shared all sorts of information about career choices with classes at Cummings during the event: Margaret Black, Kevin Cox, Doris Hawkins, Lynn Jackson and Marcus Taylor. The featured speaker for the day was Fox13 News anchor Merle Purvis, who shared her three rules for success. She said students must take care of their bodies, read everything they can and always believe they can succeed. The program was superbly planned by Ms. Juanita Graham, Cummings guidance counselor.

Fox13’s Merle Purvis spoke to Cummings students about school and success during the school’s Career Day in April.

Macon Elementary students in grades 2-6 who had perfect attendance during the TCAP tests last month were treated to a free skating party at Raleigh Skating Rink. The party also included free pizza and drinks, and students did not have to wear their school uniforms for the day. Only four students out of all five grades were unable to attend.

ESL Mentor Matthew Hyde helped Macon Elementary teacher Lisa Parker around the skating rink at a skating party for perfect attendance during the TCAP tests last month.

Kirby High School recently accepted a challenge to beautify the school's campus and hit the mark with amazing results. Students in Kirby’s Future Farmers Association, under the supervision of Mr. Kevin Baldwin and Mrs. Kimberlie Garner, planted a new garden with a flower-filled “K” on the school’s lawn. The challenge was part of the WREG and Wolfchase Toyota Beautify Your School Contest.

Kirby High’s Future farmers Association: (from left) Benjamin Ray, Geno Bell, Mr.K.Baldwin, Mr. Smith, Mrs.K.Garner, Johnathan Onidas, Chris Price and Demario Rice.

On Tuesday, May 2, Frayser High hosted its Peace Picnic for about 100 families. Eighth and ninth grade students and their parents enjoyed hot dogs, cold iced tea and homemade cake while celebrating peace and talking about their plans for the 2006-07 school year.

Family specialist Joyce Cole opened the program by welcoming parents and formally introducing Frayser’s Principal Dr. Cassandra Turner, who shared her vision for next school year. Afterward, the dean of students for each grade introduced the teachers on their team and talked about their plans. School Board Commissioner Stephanie Gatewood shared some encouraging words about the importance of education and parent-school relations. She also helped pass out door prizes.

Parents and students enjoyed good food and heard about plans for next school year at Frayser’s Peace Picnic on May 2.

Parents, students and staff at Macon Elementary School had a blast last weekend, thanks to the Junior League of Memphis, Macon’s Adopt-A-School partner. The Junior League sponsored its annual Spring Fling at Macon on Saturday, May 6. There were all types of fun activities, including dancing, carnival games with tons of prizes and face painting. Everyone in attendance also enjoyed free hot dogs, popcorn, cold drinks and ice cream the entire day.

Macon students lined up to play all kinds of fun games during the school’s annual Spring Fling.

Macon Elementary School’s PTO members went all out on Teacher Appreciation Day this month to show teachers just how much they appreciate their hard work. The teachers enjoyed a cookout lunch with steak, baked potatoes, salad, fresh fruit and plenty of tasty desserts. Mr. Sojourner (parent), Mr. Crutchfield (past PTO president) and Mr. Patterson (building engineer) handled all of the grilling. Teachers were also treated to hand massages by Mary Kay representative April Davison.

Mary Kay representative April Davison sits with happy teachers Janica Roberts, Jean Wilson, Jean Jaworski, Magnolia Guy, and Scharion Bradley during Macon’s Teacher Appreciation Day.

On Friday, May 5, the students at Shrine School had the opportunity to show the community all that they have accomplished this school year during the 26th annual Shrine School Field Day. It was the day these students had been waiting for all year long.

All of Shrine’s 144 students, ages 3-22, got to participate in various indoor and outdoor field day activities, including wheelchair, bicycle and walking races, adapted bowling, softball toss, basketball shoot and bean bag toss among others. Opening ceremonies featured the presentation of the Olympic torch and the Special Olympics Oath, as well as a performance by special needs students from Georgia Avenue Elementary School.

Due to a variety of conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and traumatic brain injury, Shrine School’s medically-fragile children are usually unable to participate in sports activities during the year. However, the Field Day activities were specially designed to provide an exciting, safe and fun-filled opportunity for them to compete and achieve success in the physical arena.

Student volunteers from Harding Academy assisted the physically-challenged students throughout the day. Parents, community members and representatives from several Shrine School adopters, including Baptist Trinity Home Care and Hospice, Snell’s Orthotics & Prosthetics and Hill Chapel Church, were also present to lend support.

Seniors from Harding Academy had a great time with Shrine students at the 26th annual Shrine School Field Day.

Winchester Elementary School Raises the Bar of Excellence

Faculty, staff, parents and students of Winchester Elementary School celebrated the high academic achievements of 47 students who were inducted into the Honor Society during a special ceremony on May 3. These students pledged to uphold the principles of the Honor Society, which include scholarship, service, citizenship, leadership and character.

Mr. Bernal Smith, president of 100 Black Men, was the guest speaker for the event. He encouraged the students to be the best they can be and to stay away from people who might influence them to make wrong decisions. Other special guests included Sergeant Fagan and the Hillcrest Color Guard. After the Induction Ceremony the honor students and their parents were treated to a free meal at Fire Mountain Restaurant.

Honor Society students in the primary grades had to make the Principal’s List four out of five times this school year in order to be inducted. Students in the intermediate grades had to make Principal’s List or Honor Roll four out of five times.

MCS Alternative students volunteered at various community organizations this year through the “Service on Saturday” program.

Students from Hollywood Success Academy have been very active in making this school year a memorable one for Pre-K and kindergarten classes at Hollywood Elementary. On Thursday, April 13, Hollywood Success students delivered some Easter cheer to the pre-school and kindergarten students at Hollywood Elementary, hiding more than 400 candy-filled plastic eggs around the school. They gave out prizes to the boy and girl from each grade who found the most eggs.

On Friday, April 21, Hollywood Success students were a big part of the Pre-K St. Jude Trike-A-Thon at Hollywood Elementary. Success students helped set up and break down the school’s activity room where the Trike-A-Thon was held. They also supported Pre-K students by cheering them on during the race and helped distribute health information to all of the parents in attendance.

Hollywood Success Academy students planned an Easter egg hunt for pre-school and kindergarten students at Hollywood Elementary.

A dynamic young men’s group has been formed at Hamilton Success Academy. The group is called “A.L.O.T.,” which stands for “A Leader of Tomorrow.” A.L.O.T.” consists of eight committed members whose goals are to improve their academic achievement, social skills and etiquette. Sponsors Derek Shaw (social worker), Dexter Jefferies (behavior specialist) and Shannon Hope (volunteer mentor) banded together to guide this devoted group and help them build the necessary skills to become future leaders.

Hamilton High School’s new young men’s group “A.L.O.T.” is designed to improve academic achievement and social skills and prepare members to become future leaders.

Oakhaven Success Academy recently hosted a special Family Night event called “Juvenile Court Community Assistance: Dealing with Juvenile Crimes.” Kevin Jackson and Darrlyon Dockery, both from the Shelby County Juvenile Court Probation Office, spoke about the need for everyone in the community to get involved and to work to reduce the number of juvenile crimes. They said it’s easy to put kids behind bars, but that the key to reducing youth crimes and restoring public safety to an acceptable level is to find a way to lower the reoccurrence of criminal behaviors.

Honor Roll student Webster Johnson
is pictured with his father Willie Johnson
and teacher DeNitra Payne during
Oakhaven Success Academy’s recent
Family Night Event.

Hats Off! Five students from Downtown Elementary earned the chance to compete at the city-wide SECME (Science, Engineering, Communications, Mathematics Enhancement) Science Olympiad at Wooddale Elementary School last month. Second grader Crystan Hawkins and classmate John McKissack won first and third place respectively for designing containers that kept a raw egg from breaking after multiple three-story drops. Second graders Calvin Alley, Joshua Gray and Isaiah Field received honorary metals for participating. Second grade science teacher Fredha Feaster, who heads the Downtown Elementary chapter of SECME, sponsored the students.

Many Many Thanks! Parents whose children attend Hickory Ridge Elementary School want to thank fifth grade teacher Mr. Decedrick Heard and fourth grade teacher Mrs. Shiela Harrison for their professionalism and dedication to helping students not only improve their academic skills, but also to build good character.

Bravo! The Geeter Middle School Marching Band took third place honors in its division at the annual Fish Fry Parade in Paris, TN. Geeter was the only Memphis school to perform this year. Band director Joel Weathers was very pleased with the parade performance and the band’s placement. He thanked Principal Kenneth Pinkey, Assistant Principal Dr. Chloe Sims and Cross Country Tours for making the trip possible.

The Geeter Middle School Marching Band took third place honors in its division at the annual Fish Fry Parade in Paris, TN.

Way to Go! Jake Barrett, a third grade student at Downtown Elementary, won first place in the “9 and under” category of the E.J’s Building Bridges for Kids 5K Run in April. Barrett’s time of 28:01 was better than hundreds of other runners in his age group and good enough for the 54th best time overall. Jake said he loves to run and that he’s counting down the days until his next race.

Kudos! Ridgeway Middle School librarian Sharon Hall's lesson plan "Finding Comfort in Books by Using Realistic Fiction" was published in the June, 2006 edition of School Library Media Activities Monthly. Ms. Hall also helped produce Ridgeway’s published collection of students’ literary works from the 2005-06 school year, Ridgeway Middle School Anthology: embracing Diversity, which is on sale at the school for $10.95.

Congratulations! Downtown Elementary sixth graders Kenneth Powell, Austin Poynter and Tyler Powell, coached by network coordinator Debbie Robb, won first place at the Teaching and Learning Academy’s annual Academy Awards for Technology on May 4. Their project “CAD Challenge: Designing Our Dreams” was best in the Innovative Multimedia Division for students in grades 4-8. Each of the students won a trophy and $100 for their outstanding effort.

“Their CAD project on careers in architecture and engineering was amazing,” Robb said. “The program is the most exciting thing I’ve taught in 10 years. It is great for showing students career opportunities and what the future holds.”.