Forum to Focus on Upcoming Release of TCAP Scores, New State Standards,
TEI and Race To The Top Plans
Memphis, Tenn. - On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at 6 p.m., Memphis City Schools will host a community forum around several key education topics facing MCS, Tennessee, and the nation. The forum will take place at BRIDGES (477 North 5th Street) and is designed to have a frank conversation about the state of local education and to raise parent and public awareness of the higher academic standards in classrooms across Memphis and Tennessee. This year's TCAP scores, resulting from tests administered statewide in April 2010, will be the first to reflect Tennessee's new and higher standards. Because the bar has been raised with more rigorous coursework, this year’s scores - compared with those from previous years - will show a drop-off in student proficiency in key subjects including reading and mathematics.
Memphis, Tenn. - Riverview Elementary School will host their first annual booster seat drive on Tuesday, August 31 from 1:30 - 3 p.m. at the school, 260 Joubert.
To receive a free booster seat, parents must pick-up their child at the school in their vehicle on the date of the booster seat drive. Parents who already own a booster seat are encouraged to attend the event to get their booster seat checked for proper fit, function and adherence to safety guidelines.
For more information, please call the school at (901) 416-7360.
Memphis, Tenn.- If you've ever considered opening a charter school, the Memphis City Schools Office of Charter Schools has a one stop shop for information set up just for you this month.
On Thursday, August 26, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Teaching and Learning Academy, 2485 Union Avenue, in room W112, a panel of experts will provide information on the application process, budgeting, facilities and board development.
This annual workshop gives anyone interested in starting a charter school a chance to receive application information prior to the October 1 charter school deadline. Subject area experts like Angela Carr, CPA for Memphis City Schools, will discuss budget information; Dan Fitzgerald, State Fire Marshal, will provide information about school facilities; and Matt Throckmorton, Tennessee Charter School Association will offer guidance on charter school board development.
For more information, contact the Office of Charter Schools at (901) 416-0492.
Cummings Elementary School will dismiss at 11 a.m. today, Thursday, August 19, 2010, due to an air conditioning malfunction. If parents are not able to pick up their student(s), accommodations have been made for the students to remain at school until the regular dismissal time of 2:15. All students will be provided lunch prior to the early dismissal. We are working fix the malfunction as quickly as possible. A decision regarding tomorrow's school schedule will be made as soon as possible, and we will communicate that with parents through our ParentLink phone system and local media outlets. For further information, parents may contact the school directly at 901-416-7810.
Are you an adult looking for a way to complete your high school diploma or GED? If the answer is yes, then don't miss fall registration at Messick Adult Center.
If you're seeking a high school diploma and have at least 15 credits, you can register for Adult High School on Tuesday, August third, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. and from 5 - 8 p.m.
If you'd like to get your GED, you can register for GED testing or classes on August 19 and 20.
Messick is located at 703. S. Greer. For more information about our programs, call 416-4840.
Who: Memphis City Schools Regional Health Clinics and Well Child Inc.
What: Student Vaccinations and Physicals Offered
When: Saturday, July 31 and Saturday, August 7 8 AM - 2 PM
Where: MCS Regional Health Clinics
NORTHWEST REGION
Northside High School
1212 Vollintine
SOUTHEAST REGION
Sheffield Career & Technology Center
4530 Chuck Avenue
NORTHEAST REGION
East High School
3206 Poplar Avenue
SOUTHWEST REGION
Westwood High School
4480 Westmount
Why: To provide parents additional opportunities to have their child(ren) receive the necessary vaccinations or physicals required to attend school or to participate in athletic activities for the 2010 - 2011 school year. As required by law, rising 7th grade students must receive new immunizations. The required parental consent forms are available at each school or at the health clinics. For more information, parents should contact Well Child Inc., at 901-531-6321.
Memphis, Tenn. - All Aboard the Memphis City Schools Pre-K Express! The Pre-K Express is an orientation event for newly enrolled
Pre-K students and families that will take place this Saturday, July 24, from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
Mayor A.C. Wharton will help kick-off this free community event that will feature tours of model Pre-K classrooms and classrooms of the future, free rides, carnival food, tours of fire and police trucks and much more. A can't miss is the United States tour of "Singplay," a gross motor skills tool that enables children to use their large motor skills and knowledge interactively.
Superintendent Kriner Cash, regional administrators and Pre-K teachers will be present to meet and greet families and answer questions.
For more information, call 416-3450 or visit us on the web at www.mcsk12.net.
Memphis, Tenn. - The monthly, post-Board of Education media briefing will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, at 11:30 a.m.in the auditorium at the Board of Education.
The briefing will provide an opportunity for the district's administration to summarize business discussed during tonight's board meeting. District leaders and subject area experts will be available to address media inquiries related to the monthly board meeting and other district-related business.
Memphis, Tenn. - Mark Scott, a history teacher at East High School, has been named the 2010 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year for the State of Tennessee. Scott was chosen to be the State's award recipient because of his use of historical documents in the classroom, his career achievements in the field of education, and the level of inspiration that he provides to his students, including his recent work on a historical preservation project.
Scott, who was selected for the honor by a panel of educators and administrators from throughout the State, will receive a certificate of recognition, a $1,000 award, and an archive of classroom resources which will be presented in his name to the East High School library.
Scott's teaching career began in 1987, and he has taught at Memphis City Schools since 1990. For the last 13 years he has taught at East High, including Honors and Advanced Placement U.S. History courses. Scott also teaches Facing History and Ourselves classes, and he was the 2010 recipient of the Margot Stern Strom Teaching Award for Facing History and Ourselves.
The chairman of East High's Social Studies Department, Scott is leading East students in their efforts to preserve the historic President's Island School House by having the one-room school house moved from its existing site at the Fairgrounds to the grounds of East High. The school house was the last one-room school house to operate in Memphis, and East students hope to preserve the structure and turn it into a museum.
Scott's participation in this preservation project was a factor in his being chosen to receive the Teacher of the Year award. Under Scott's direction, East students have conducted extensive research about the history of the school house and the political and social climates that led to the founding of the segregated school. Scott guided the East students in writing letters to governmental officials about the project and in other facets of the project, such as creating a scale model of the school house and contacting and working with community stakeholders who are interested in assisting with the preservation project.
As the winner of the Tennessee Preserve America History Teacher of the Year award, Scott will go on to represent the State in the national History Teacher of the Year competition this fall.
Memphis, Tenn.- Mark Scott, a history teacher at East High School, has been named the 2010 Preserve America History Teacher of the Year for the State of Tennessee. Scott was chosen to be the State's award recipient because of his use of historical documents in the classroom, his career achievements in the field of education, and the level of inspiration that he provides to his students, including his recent work on a historical preservation project.
Scott, who was selected for the honor by a panel of educators and administrators from throughout the State, will receive a certificate of recognition, a $1,000 award, and an archive of classroom resources which will be presented in his name to the East High School library.
Scott's teaching career began in 1987, and he has taught at Memphis City Schools since 1990. For the last 13 years he has taught at East High, including Honors and Advanced Placement U.S. History courses. Scott also teaches Facing History and Ourselves classes, and he was the 2010 recipient of the Margot Stern Strom Teaching Award for Facing History and Ourselves.
The chairman of East High's Social Studies Department, Scott is leading East students in their efforts to preserve the historic President's Island School House by having the one-room school house moved from its existing site at the Fairgrounds to the grounds of East High. The school house was the last one-room school house to operate in Memphis, and East students hope to preserve the structure and turn it into a museum.
Scott's participation in this preservation project was a factor in his being chosen to receive the Teacher of the Year award. Under Scott's direction, East students have conducted extensive research about the history of the school house and the political and social climates that led to the founding of the segregated school. Scott guided the East students in writing letters to governmental officials about the project and in other facets of the project, such as creating a scale model of the school house and contacting and working with community stakeholders who are interested in assisting with the preservation project.
As the winner of the Tennessee Preserve America History Teacher of the Year award, Scott will go on to represent the State in the national History Teacher of the Year competition this fall.
Memphis, Tenn. - The Wooddale High Optional Aviation Program, created to provide career exploration and hands-on experience for teens interested in the field, will receive seven new flight simulators for classroom training. The simulators were added to the classroom through a High School Redesign Grant received by Wooddale High.
Students in the Wooddale Optional Program can take classes in Flight Theory, Aeronautics and other areas in the field of aviation. With the addition of the new flight simulators, students will have 11 modules on which to practice their skills. Apt pupils also have the opportunity on the weekend to pilot a private Cessna 162, owned by a FedEx pilot who donates use of the plane to the aviation students. Accompanied by a trained flight instructor, these students can log the 60 flight hours necessary to become a licensed private pilot. Two Wooddale students received their pilot's licenses last year, and there are six candidates this year.
The only program of its kind in Tennessee, Wooddale's Optional Aviation Program was launched in 1993 with a $1 million grant from NASA. The program was designed to encourage students in urban school districts to pursue careers in aviation, by offering courses and unique learning experiences not available in a typical classroom. It is open to students who are enrolled in technology education and who are members of the Technology Student Association.
Silent Art Auction Featuring Original Student Work Begins at 5 p.m.
Memphis, Tenn. - Memphis City Schools' students who make up the renowned summer performing arts group Echoes of Truth, will pay tribute to the musical legends who have lived in and been influenced by Memphis when they debut the original musical "Bluesway" on Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 7 p.m. at The Orpheum Theatre. The show features blues, soul, gospel and rock n' roll as it takes a journey through Memphis' musical roots.
The Echoes of Truth summer program provides students with hands-on experience in songwriting, theater production, visual art, videography and marketing. The month-long summer session culminates in an original musical performed at The Orpheum Theatre with an art auction showcasing pieces produced by the students during the program.
Tickets are just $6 for the show and art auction and can be purchased either by calling 416 - 2920 or at the box office on the evening of the event.
About Echoes of Truth
Now in its 12th year, Echoes of Truth is the premier summer showcase for Memphis-area high school students and recent graduates talented in the arts. Students must audition and be accepted into the program. It is held each June at Overton High School and serves as an arts-centered career training program. Students learn through intensive, hands-on activities. From finalizing the costume designs to creating the artwork and layout used in the playbook, Echoes of Truth students provide leadership at every level of the program. The culminating event of the program is a musical performance and art auction at the Orpheum, which showcases the skills the students have learned.
Memphis, Tenn. - Two Memphis City Schools employees were recently selected to serve on a prestigious national council that is on the forefront of digital education.
Dr. Felicia Fowler, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, and Margaret Montgomery, Library Services Coordinator, were recently selected to serve on the National Council on Digital Citizenship and Creative Content.
The Council, formed earlier this year, endeavors to understand and address K-12 school systems' needs to teach appropriate, educational, responsible, and fair usage of digital content - the music, movies, software, and other digital media with which students interact every day. The Council, made possible by Microsoft sponsorship, includes roughly 50 educators and administrators across the nation.
"Digital Citizenship and the rights associated with creative content shared on the Internet are important issues that students and school districts alike must understand," stated Fowler. "I am excited to participate in a national dialogue around these emerging issues."
The Council will evaluate current levels of awareness and understanding around the concept of digital citizenship, establish best practices for digital content development and usage in K-12 environments, and advocate for relevant local, state, and regional academic standards. Council members will collaborate on various initiatives including a blog, white paper, and resources for other educators that provide ideas for how best to encourage responsible digital citizenship among students and schools. For more information about the Council, please visit http://www.digitalcitizenshipcouncil.com.
Memphis, Tenn. - Gregg Coats, Memphis City Schools' Visual Art and Theater Coordinator, has been named one of only four recipients
in the country to receive the Broadway League's National Educator Apple Award.
Coats will be presented with the prestigious award on Thursday, May 27 at 7 p.m. at The Orpheum Theatre during the 2009-2010 High School Musical Theatre Awards. Modeled after the Tony™ Awards, this program recognizes outstanding achievement in all areas of high school
musical theatre among programs in the region. A representative of the New York-based Broadway League will be on hand to present Coats
with the award.
The Educator Apple awards program acknowledges the efforts of local schools and community groups that support programs relating to Broadway or touring Broadway shows, promoting development of theatre education programs.
For the last six years, Coats has collaborated with The Orpheum Theatre in his efforts to encourage MCS teachers to integrate arts curriculum strategies such as math, critical thinking skills, literacy, and experiential learning into visual art and theater lessons.
Through Coats' collaborative efforts, MCS teachers and students have experienced Broadway touring productions of Chicago, The Lion King, Les Miserables and A Chorus Line. He began his teaching career in 1973 and served as an art teacher for 31 years before assuming his
current administrative position in 2004. During his career, Coats earned numerous accolades, including being named Tennessee High School Art Educator of the Year in 2000, Tennessee Art Education Association's Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award in 2006, and he served as
president and in other positions on the Tennessee Art Education Association. Coats also helped develop the very popular Echoes of Truth summer arts program and MCS's Middle School Arts Enrichment program.
Free Event Will Showcase Exemplary Arts by MCS Students from
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Board of Education, 2597 Avery
Memphis, Tenn. - The first event to showcase all of Memphis City School's exemplary visual and performing art in one location will take place
this Saturday, May 22, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Board of Education, 2597 Avery.
At Memphis City Schools, arts education inspires thousands of young people everyday. Because arts education is often a "quiet hero," Memphis City Schools wanted to create a celebration that would not only prominently highlight the artistic achievements of our students, but encourage, promote and support Arts education in the entire Memphis community.
ArtsFest will include Visual Art displays as well as Theatre, Dance, Orff Music, Vocal and Instrumental Musical performances which represent
exemplary programs across the district. Students have worked all school year to create the visual and performance art that will be showcased at the inaugural ArtsFest event.
ArtsFest 2010 is the only place you can find all of Memphis City School's exemplary arts talent in one place. We hope you are as inspired by these students as we are.
For more information, contact Dru Davison at 416-3432.
Memphis, Tenn. - The monthly, post-Board of Education media briefing will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18, at 11:30 a.m. in the Board of Education Auditorium. The briefing will provide an opportunity for the district's administration to summarize business discussed during the previous evening's meeting.
District leaders and subject area experts will be available to address media inquiries related to the monthly board meeting and other district-related business.
Free Event at 5 p.m. in the Family Life Conference Center at
Greater Community Temple Church of God in Christ, 5151 Winchester
Memphis, Tenn. - Reverend Gary Faulkner Sr., Pastor Milton Hawkins, Bishop Brandon B. Porter, Dr. Stacy Spencer, Bishop Edward Stephens
and their congregations will join Superintendent Kriner Cash and Memphis City Schools employees to host a citywide educational rally this
Sunday, May 16, at 5 p.m.
The rally, dubbed "All About the Children," will support all levels of education, from teachers to families and students. Presenters will focus on four key areas; teacher appreciation, parental empowerment, community involvement and student achievement. In addition, nearly 50 students will receive awards for outstanding academic achievement, good citizenship and greatly improved academic performance.
The educational rally is one of the first events planned since Dr. Cash and the faith-based community announced their collaboration. Religious leaders and their congregations agreed to take part in the movement to uplift children and support their educational and spiritual growth. All students, teachers and parents are encouraged to attend this free event. For more information, contact Jeff Williams at (901) 331-2294.
"We are honored to be a part of one of the most significant fundraising campaigns in the history of MCS," said Johnny Moore, President of SunTrust
Bank in Memphis and a Memphis City Schools graduate. "Merry and I are delighted to be working alongside Pitt and Barbara (Hyde). The Hyde's
are pillars of this community and have supported so many worthwhile causes, and the Memphis City Schools Teacher Effectiveness Initiative is one of those efforts we could not overlook."
The Memphis City Schools Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, supported by a $90 million lead grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will deepen and accelerate an existing aggressive reform agenda within the school system. The grant will provide the additional support necessary to drive dramatically improved student achievement, better compensate effective teachers and provide intensive professional support to help teachers reach their full potential.
"At the Hyde Family Foundations, we believe that great teachers are the foundation upon which successful students are built," said Barbara Hyde.
"No single factor influences student outcomes more than teacher quality, which is exactly why the innovative proposal was appealing to the Gates Foundation and why it holds so much promise for our children. We're especially pleased that the Tel was designed and will be executed in partnership
with teachers themselves through ongoing collaboration with the Memphis Education Association."
Memphis City Schools is one of four urban school districts in America to be selected by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to receive funding for this groundbreaking initiative. The Memphis City Schools Foundation is now charged with the task of raising the local match of $21.2 million to support this work over the next seven years.
"The Teacher Effectiveness Initiative is a bold and thoughtful plan that will revolutionize our schools and transform our city," said Kim Wirth, chair of the MCS Foundation Board and Executive Director of International Paper Foundation. "We are honored that the Moore's and the Hyde's have agreed to place their support behind this transformational work, and we are certain the city will respond. We already see the momentum building."
To learn more about the Memphis City Schools Foundation and the Teacher Effectiveness Initiative, visit http://www.givemcs.org or contact the
Memphis City Schools Foundation at (901) 416-0240.
Memphis, Tenn. - Memphis City Schools has scheduled make up time for the inclement weather school closures that occurred on January 8, January 29 and February 8, 2010.
The first scheduled make up day was April 5. Students will attend school on Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25 to make up the remaining time for missed days. Schools will be open at their regularly scheduled time each day and it is important that students remain at school the entire day. Bus services will operate as normally scheduled, as will all after-school services and activities.
The last day of school for MCS students is Tuesday, May 25. For more information, parents may contact their child's school or visit the district's Web site at www.mcsk12.net.
TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 12, 2010
9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Memphis, Tenn. - Vance Middle School will host a "Father & Son" workshop for students and parents of Vance Middle on Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at the school, located at 673 Vance.
The workshop's theme, "Real Men making Real Men", focuses on enriching the lives of young men by empowering them to make a difference in the lives of others in the community. Powerful breakout sessions will include discussions about education, financial planning, entrepreneurship, physical fitness, civil service and so much more. The ladies of Vance Middle will serve lunch during the workshop.
For more information, contact Barbara Asemota at (901) 416-2603.
