This just in...from MPS |

This Just In…

                            For the week of January 14-18, 2013

Congratulations go to Catoma Elementary teachers Loree Fulton, Nancy Lowery, and Dr. Victoria Reese who achieved Master Classroom status with Renaissance Learning. Master classroom status means 90% of students average at or above 90% on all Accelerated Reader quizzes.

Kudos go to third grade students in Griselda Hale’s class at Flowers Elementary for achieving Model Classroom status with Renaissance Learning. The designation means 90% of students average at or above 85% on all Accelerated Reader quizzes.

Congratulations go to Lee High’s new Air Force JROTC cadet commanders C/Col Gabriela Vazquez Valez and C/Lt Col Andrew Xiengsen. These students are the unit’s top cadets and are instrumental in the day-to-day operations of the unit. Appointment to these positions is based on a student’s dedication to the JROTC, academic performance, and community service. In addition, the JROTC’s Adopt-a-Family community service project was an overwhelming success. They donated toys, clothing, games and gift cards to four local families. A special thank you goes to Mrs. McNeil, Mrs. Cranford and Mrs. O. Johnson, Major Carlington and Capt Draines (HQ ROTC) for making the project a success.

Congratulations go to Pintlala Elementary teacher Amy Moseley who was selected as the school’s 2012-2013 “Teacher of the Year.” In addition, Horace Mann representative Lee Busby will recognize teachers Amy Moseley, Jennifer Inman, Robbin Redden, Marilyn Best, Jamie Adams, and nurse Jennifer Moseley for receiving grants through the Donors Choose program.

Kudos go to Johnson Elementary fifth-grade students Mariunna Hill, Brikiria Hampton, and Kelvin Loftin who served as math tutors in Catina Day’s class.

In addition, congratulations go to the following third grade students who achieved their Accelerated Reader goals for the second nine weeks: Ariona Ford, Jaeda Grant, Jeremiah Williams, Lamarion Rivers, and Cameron Lassic (Takeya Parham’s homeroom) ; Johnathan Brown, Nekhari Hayes, Leah Richardson, Zykeria Rollins, Za’Nyah Sinclair, John White, Khadijat Dauda, JaMya Wilson, TiKayla Barker, Azhane’ Parker, and Maalik Hooks (Quanda Robinson’s homeroom) ; Za’Keria Bryant, Antonio Flake, and Jerikiah Lovett (Kaotrice Curry’s homeroom); DaQuerious Hunt ( Sheryl McCaster’s homeroom); and Jozlyn Graham, Kiauna Howard, Zycaria Poullard, Tyjee Smith and Dyas Whitlow (ShenethaTurner’s homeroom). In addition, the school’s fifth grade spelling bee winners are Justin Rudolph, overall winner; Katelyn Sankey, first place; and Lastesha Roberson, second place.

Highland Avenue Elementary would like to thank Wal-Mart for donating hats and gloves to every student.

Montgomery Public Schools winter magnet application process will run through January 22, 2013. Applications, program admission requirements, information sheets and tour dates are available on the district website at www.preparingstudentsforlife.com or at any magnet school. The deadline to submit a magnet application and transcript to the magnet school you wish to apply for is Jan. 22. Notification of acceptance status for kindergarten and first grade applicants will be mailed on February 8. Grades 2-5 and middle and high school applicants will receive notification of acceptance on March 8.

The MPS Career and Technical Education Department is currently accepting applications for the district’s seven high school career academies through March 8, 2013. The career academies combine hands-on training with core academic courses, internships, dual enrollment and professional experiences.

Applications and information booklets are available on the district website, at www.preparing studentsforlife.com under the For Students button on the homepage, or from any middle school in the guidance counselor’s office. The academies include Health Science, Teaching, Advanced Manufacturing, Hospitality & Tourism, Law & Public Safety, Business & Finance and Information Technology.

Nominations are now being accepted for the Fishman Prize for Superlative Classroom Practice for teachers who are making a difference in the lives of low-income students. The annual $25,000 award is presented to exceptionally effective teachers working in high-poverty public schools. No more than five teachers are awarded the prize each year.  In addition to receiving $25,000, Fishman Prize winners participate in an intense summer residency during which they reflect critically on their classroom practice, explore the larger issues that shape their profession, and write a short paper on the elements of affective teaching. Applications can be downloaded at http://tntp.org/fishman-prize. The deadline to submit an application is January 14, 2013.

The City of Montgomery, Hands On River Region and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Upsilon Lambda Chapter) have teamed up to host the first ever Martin Luther King Dream Generation Day of Service on Monday, January 21, 2013 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. The event is designed to empower aspiring young leaders ages 13-24 to make a difference in their communities through community service. This event is part of the national MLK Day of Service joined by thousands of organizations across the nation. For more information about this event, contact: Felicia Martin, Constituency Affairs Specialist, City of Montgomery Department of Public Information & External Affairs, 103 North Perry Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104 Office: (334) 625-2427 Website: www.montgomeryal.gov. 

Monday, January 14

Lee High’s Jobs for Alabama’s Graduates (JAG) and Air Force JROTC students will explore military careers during a presentation by the U.S. Army’s Multi-Experience Vehicle from 9 a.m. – 2:45 p.m. This presentation will include high-tech simulators that help students learn about a variety of technical careers in the armed forces.

Bear Exploration Center will hold its monthly Discovery Clubs after school.

Wilson Elementary will administer the Global Scholar Performance Series to students in grades 3-5 for the next four weeks.

Fourth grade students at Vaughn Road Elementary will complete a Black History Digital Storytelling project which is due on February 7. Students will be assigned a famous African American to research. The data will be used to create a Digital Story presentation.

First grade students at Southlawn Elementary in Jeanette Turner’s class will discuss Martin Luther King Jr. and his accomplishments. In addition, second grade students in Joseph Brinson and Sharmin Pernell’s classes will research Dr. George Washington Carver. Third grade students in Marie Johnson’s class will share Amish Friendship bread in connection with their study of Amish culture in their social studies classes. Fourth grade students in Frederick McCoy and Cassandra James’ classes will work on completing their Black History projects. They will research African Americans who have influenced or made contributions to society. Fifth graders in Tiffany Pitt’s class will learn about graphing data through line graphs and numerical patterns. Fifth grade students in Kimberly Taites’ class will discover how severe weather forms and will practice the school’s severe weather drill. Students will also discover how weather forecast are made and will schedule a presentation from WAKA’s weather team to explain how meteorologist make their predictions. Fourth and fifth grade music students in Jennifer Jackson’s classes will memorize a “Rap of the States” song.

Fourth grade students at MacMillan International Academy at McKee will study the IB Learner Profile. Students will choose characteristics that describe themselves and will create posters that express how and why they were identified. Fifth grade students will learn about their personalities by taking a profile quiz that identifies them with one of four animal personalities. By identifying their character traits and learning more about themselves, they will express the IB Lerner Profile characteristics of being both reflective and communicative and demonstrate respect, tolerance, and empathy.

First grade students at Pintlala Elementary in Jennifer Inman’s class will discuss sea animals in science. In math classes, students will learn how to add and subtract using two-digit numbers. In addition, Pintlala will have an honors recognition program in the media center at 1:30 p.m.

Third grade students at Johnson Elementary in Takeya Parham, Kaotrice Curry, Quanda Robinson, Sheryl McCaster, and Shenetha Turner’s classes will celebrate the 100th day of school by making displays of 100 items. Also, kindergarten students will study the letter “T.” Students will receive a surprise visit from a pet turtle named “Franklin.” Students will also read Franklin the Turtle books throughout the week. First grade students in Deborah Murray’s class will study movement and sound. They will describe the effects of forces on objects including change of speed, direction, and position.

Bellingrath Middle will hold an Anti-Bullying Pledge Signing Day. Winners of the Anti-Bullying Poster contest will also be announced.

Tuesday, January 15

The Montgomery County Board of Education will hold a Committee of the Whole meeting at noon in the auditorium of the Central Office, located at 307 S. Decatur Street.

Fourth grade students in Amy Marshall’s class at Bear Exploration Center will learn about early colonial life in Alabama on a field trip to Old Alabama Town from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Southlawn Middle’s basketball teams will play at Capitol Heights Middle. Brewbaker Middle’s basketball teams will play at Georgia Washington Middle. Goodwyn Middle’s basketball teams will play at Bellingrath Middle. Dunbar-Ramer’s basketball teams will play at Carr Middle. Floyd Middle’s basketball teams will play at McKee Middle. Seventh grade boys play at 4:45 p.m.; girls at 6 p.m.; and eighth grade boys at 7:15 p.m.

Wilson Elementary will hold its PTA meeting at 6 p.m. Third and fourth grade students will perform following the meeting.

Catoma Elementary will hold its first semester Accelerated Reader Celebration at 1:30 p.m. Students who met their goals for the first and/or second nine weeks will have the opportunity to select a gift donated from the Tuscaloosa Testing Lab (TTL) Company. Mr. Dan Cooper, senior client manager for TTL will be on hand to congratulate the students.

Southlawn Elementary will hold a PTA meeting at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Carver Elementary will hold registration for the Extended-Day Arts Program at 3:45 p.m. in the cafeteria. Fifth grade students will visit the American Village.

Wednesday, January 16

Garrett Elementary students will hear a presentation on the Bully Proof Curriculum presented by the Family Sunshine Center. The programs will begin at 8:45 a.m. in the media center meeting with each grade level throughout the day.

Southlawn Middle will hold an honors assembly for students in grades 1-5 for the second nine weeks at 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Thursday, January 17

Fourth grade students at Dalraida Elementary will present a musical performance at 6 p.m. The Panther Pride Association will meet following the performance.

Fourth grade students in Lindsey Norris’ class at Bear Exploration Center will learn about early colonial life in Alabama on a field trip to Old Alabama Town from 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Georgia Washington Middle’s basketball team will play at Carr Middle. Goodwyn Middle’s basketball teams will play at Capitol Heights Middle. Bellingrath Middle basketball teams will play at McKee Middle. Dunbar-Ramer’s basketball teams will play at Southlawn Middle. Brewbaker Middle’s basketball teams will play at Floyd Middle. Seventh grade boys play at 4:45 p.m.; girls at 6 p.m.; and eighth grade boys at 7:15 p.m.

Garrett Elementary will hold a Parent Workshop on Using Technology at Home from 9 – 10 a.m.

Carver Elementary will hold registration for its Extended Day Program at 3:45 p.m. in the cafeteria.

Friday, January 18

Wilson Elementary will hold grade level meetings that will include research-based professional development and a celebration of accomplishments.

Highland Gardens Elementary will hold an Accelerated Reader Celebration for students who have met and/or exceeded their reading goals.

Students at Pintlala Elementary will celebrate reaching their second nine-weeks goals in Accelerated Reader with an AR Reward party.

Students at Flowers Elementary in Cecelia Bailey’s class will participate in the winter session classes at Montgomery Area Nontraditional Equestrians (MANE). MANE is a non-profit organization that provides safe and effective therapeutic horseback riding opportunities to special needs students. Students will visit the 30-acre site every Friday through March 8.

This Just In…is a weekly publication of the MPS Communication Office. Events are submitted to the Communication Office by schools and are subject to change.