LRSD Spotlight

Meadowcliff Elementary held its 7th annual Authors’ Convention in June. Students were encouraged to write, include hand-drawn illustrations and hand-bind books to submit in the competition, and seventy percent of students in kindergarten through 5th grade at the school submitted a book!

First-, second- and third-place winners were announced at an awards assembly, and they received a certificate, ribbon, medal and an Authors’ Convention t-shirt. More lucky students received the coveted Principal’s Award, selected by Meadowcliff principal Karen Carter because their books were very creative, displayed something unique and were enjoyable to read. Principal’s Award winners received a certificate, ribbon and an Authors’ Convention t-shirt.

Participation in the Authors’ Convention has grown each year. Meadowcliff faculty and staff hopes that activities such as the Authors’ Convention will continue to encourage students to use their imaginations, explore their literary talents and become authors. Perhaps someday everyone will be able to read books written by these talented individuals!

Student winners include:

1st place: Dominique Collier, Joscelyn Tilman, Hannah Whitaker, Brittany Tell, Taihlor Parker and Ahalaya Marshall.

2nd place: D'Anthony Barnett, Kerra Harvey, Jakalyn Allison, Christopher Martin and Trevonte Kelly.

3rd place: Kennedy Walker, Andy Sosa, Karla Rameriz, Jewell Meir and Alejandro Rameriz.

Principal's Award: Jerwine Williams, Rachel Stuckey, Kelton Neyland, Kortevian Hall, Ryan Maxwell, Kevin Hamilton, Victoria Lopez, Sandra Morales, Mary Scott and Antwan Thompson.

Robin Kratzke, a teacher at Dunbar Magnet Middle School and a Pathwise mentor, recently was named LRSD Mentor of the Year 2010 by the Arkansas Department of Education. 

Pathwise is a state-sponsored program for mentoring new teachers. Each novice teacher receives a mentor for one or two years, depending upon the type of license that teacher has been issued. The mentor works closely with the novice teacher on a variety of activities that support the four domains of the Pathwise framework. The mentor also provides face-to-face interaction with the novice teacher.

Mrs. Kratzke teaches Spanish at Dunbar. She receives $500 and a certificate commemorating this honor.

Throughout the past school year, all students at Gibbs Magnet School of International Studies participated in Pennies for Peace, the international service learning project that raises money for school supplies for students in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

You may ask, "What can a penny buy in the United States?" Not much anymore, but in Pakistan and Afghanistan a penny can be used to buy a pencil. Each classroom at Gibbs had a collection jar, and students were encouraged to donate pennies throughout the year, beginning with International Day of Peace and Pinwheels for Peace in art classes in September, continuing with the Giving Tree donations in international studies and ornaments of "gift-givers giving pennies" in art classes in December, and concluding with Rocking for Peace in physical education classes during Gibbs Games XXIII (Field Day) in late May.

During the final week of school, all of the collection jars were placed on display on the cafetorium stage. Students were asked to complete an entry form making estimates on how many total pennies were collected, the actual dollar amount, and how much all the pennies weighed. At the Pennies for Peace Finale Assembly on June 3, all K-5th grade students learned how much they had collected over the year. Winners of the estimating contest also were announced. First grader Corey Gaines (right) came the closest to estimating the number of pennies. The closest dollar amount estimate was made by fifth grader Greta Kresse (left). Kwasi Harshaw, a fifth grader, had the closest estimate for the total weight of the pennies. A total of $593.04 or 59,304 pennies were collected (59,304 pencils!), and the pennies weighed 337 pounds. Books, pencils, and pens were awarded to the three winners. Ms. Susan Hestir's second graders collected the most pennies of any classroom and were given special pencils for their contribution.

As part of the peace assembly, a thank-you letter and photos were shared that had just been received from a Haitian Earthquake relief agency. Gibbs students sent drawings for the children of Haiti that were included in the planeload of supplies that the relief agency sent to Port-au-Prince in the earthquake aftermath. Some of the artwork went inside care packages given directly to the children at orphanages. For several hundred children who were given permission to leave Haiti, the rest of the donated artwork was placed on the planes above their seats "in hopes it would ease the Haitian children’s pain knowing there were children in the United States who cared for them." Gibbs students clearly demonstrate through service learning projects their responsibilities as citizens of the world.

Myles Fells and Darius Williams, both 5th grade students at Gibbs International Magnet Elementary, recently were honored with the Gibbs Nobel Peace Prize, the school's highest student recognition. Both young men have attended Gibbs since kindergarten, and both received a trophy marking this special honor and recognition.

Fifteen students were nominated this year for the Gibbs Nobel Peace Prize: Kate Budney, Cassy Christ, Wyn Evans, Myles Fells, Jomar Francisco, Evan Greenfield, Greta Kresse, Julian Kresse, Tiffany Kashala, Caleb Massey, Anna Massirer, Day Matthews, Peter Runder, Jay Song, and Darius Williams.

In order to be nominated by a faculty member, the 5th grade student must meet or exceed the following criteria: 1. models respect and concern for others; 2. demonstrates support for the advancement of human rights and earth health; 3. exemplifies excellent citizenship as citizens of the world throughout the entire school day; 4. achieves up to his or her capabilities; and 5. has been a Gibbs student for more than one year.

Teachers at Carver Magnet Elementary have been busy applying for -- and receiving -- grant money for math and science projects for their students! These enterprising teachers have received $40,000 worth of 3M Ingenuity Grants that help teachers make math and science come to life in their classrooms.

Twenty-one states participated in the Ingenuity Grant program, and of the 226 applications received, 185 were selected. Carver received $40,000 worth of grants in the following areas: We Do Robotics, $3,499; Space Station Experiments, 3rd grade, $3,360; Differentiation of Math, $3,248; Mastery in Measurement, $3,456; Marilyn Burns Math, $3,500; Space Station Science, 4th grade, $3,360; Space Station Science, 5th Grade, $3,360; Solar System and Moon, $2,875; Fun with Math, $2,949; Differentiation of Math, 4th Grade, $3,248; Differentiation of Math, 5th Grade, $3,248; Magnetic Attraction, $1,221; Amazing Air, or the Lack of it Anyway, $2,076.

Amanda Burwell from 3M recently visited Carver to present the grant checks that will help these teachers purchase materials for the hands-on activities that will allow their students to apply new concepts to learn by doing.

Pictured above are some of the teachers who received 3M Ingenuity Grants: (front row) Gene Williams, Lauren Hickmon, Amanda Burwell (3M) and Jason Crader; (back row) Suellen DiMassimo, Karen Banks and Mary Acott.